How to Sell Old Records

Old records have the potential to be as valuable as any genuine antique. There are a number of rare records that are extremely valuable to collectors when sold at auction, but there are old records that are only worth using as drink coasters too. The real challenge in selling old records is figuring out which ones are worth selling.

Instructions

1. Weed out damaged records from your collection. Even a rare record is worth very little if either the record is scratched badly or the sleeve is torn. Cover art is a big draw in the old record market, and rips in the sleeve can take away from the value considerably. If the record is dirty, take it to a professional to have it cleaned, as everyday cleaning chemicals can destroy a record and destroy its value.

2. Decide whether a record is playable. If a record has a few scratches, but you believe it will still play well, test it out before attempting to sell it. If a record isn't playable without hearing constant pops and skips, it is likely worth nothing.

3. Take the select records to a record dealer. Most areas have at least one dealer in collectibles who can tell you more about the value of the record. If you plan to sell the record directly to the dealer, make a preliminary search for its value online to avoid being paid too little for the record. The dealer will likely pay you less than the actual value of the record so he can make a profit when it is resold, but you should receive enough to make the sale worthwhile.

4. Sell the records yourself online. While dealers in retail stores were once the only option, today it's possible to sell them online to worldwide customer base. Start by listing the record on eBay. You will need a picture of the record and its sleeve. Describe the record in detail, mentioning any scratches, skips or other damage. Charge enough to earn a reasonable profit on the sale and charge separately for shipping to cover the cost of mailing the record in a sturdy box. Pack the record in its sleeve if you have it and wrap it several times in bubble wrap to protect it from breaking while in transit.

Resources

• Popsike.com helps find the value of old records.