How To

How to Sell Your Vinyl Record Collection

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Rate: (27 Ratings)

With CDs on the scene, vinyl records seem to be going the way of cassettes and eight-track tapes. But there are still plenty of collectors out there interested in your Louis Armstrong albums.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate
Step1
Understand supply and demand of selling records. Owning a chart-topping Elvis record is like owning a first-edition Harry Potter book. Because there were so many printed, they're easy to find and the value goes down. That's why Baby It's You by the Beatles is listed in price guides at $5 while Ragtime Cowboy Joe by David Seville and the Chipmunks is $20.
Step2
Check for damage. To fetch top dollar, the record itself can't be scratched or warped. The album jacket should have sharp corners and few signs of wear.
Step3
Go to a local used-record store to find a buyer, or look in the back of price guides and collector magazines for advertisements.
Step4
Scrutinize the cover, which can often be even more valuable than the record inside. Collectors frame them as works of art. Especially popular are album covers with portraits of the singer like Frank Sinatra or Doris Day.

Tips & Warnings

  • An out-of-town buyer may want to judge the condition of your collection. Send only a few albums or you might pay more in shipping than the whole collection is worth.
  • Don't stack your records-- the weight leaves a ring on the album cover.

Comments

| View All Comments
ACHESON

ACHESON said

Flag This Comment

on 11/14/2008 HAVE MANY ALBUMS FOR SALE..
ALL GOOD JACKETS 60'S AND 70'S AND 80'S
AND SOUND TRRACKS 650-354-9990

babaji

babaji said

Flag This Comment

on 11/13/2008 FREE!! 100's of Records..mostly 60s'-80s , but alot of other stuff thrown in. Im Moving Next Week! first come first served. Im willing to sacrifice the value in exchange for no-hassle and saving time.AlexandriaVa mike ..cell 443 822 4863

mileyrae

mileyrae said

Flag This Comment

on 11/7/2008 I have a collection of Elvis and Beetles LP's all very good condition E-mail @ jn3_16_1975@yahoo.com

Flag This Comment

on 11/6/2008 TimboRooney said
on 11/06/08 My father wants to liquidate his entire record collection--all shapes, sizes and eras. Visit him in Southern Minnesota. Call him at 507-451-4076.

nubee

nubee said

Flag This Comment

on 11/3/2008 I uploaded all my records to www.nylvi.com, free service for buying and selling vinyl records.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Sell Your Vinyl Record Collection

eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Related Ads

Hobbies, Games & Toys

Sentigen
Meet Nate Chang, eHow Expert eHow’s Hobbies, Games & Toys Expert.