How to Sell Vinyl Records – Best Places to Sell Vinyl Records

5 Simple Tips on Selling Vinyl Records for the Most Money

The history of Vinyl records goes as far as the 1900s. It was once the most famous music storage device, especially in the 1930s when it was first introduced. However, its peak of popularity significantly went down in the 1960s due to the rise of cassettes and CDs. Luckily, it was not yet the end for Vinyl records.

Are Vinyl Records Still Popular?

The sales of Vinyl records continued to drop in the 1980s due to the rise of digital music. However, it finally made a comeback in the 2000s, thanks to the small minority of vinyl and music lovers who pushed back. Since 2007, vinyl records sales have been recorded as steady. And in just a year, its sales increased by more than 80%. Vinyl records are still a thing today with the emergence of local stores and Vinyl being a collector’s item.

Planning to Sell Vinyl Records?

The Vinyl record market is tremendously hot right now, with 1.8 million sales in the US alone last December 2020. For the first time in history, Vinyl outsold CDs, making it the Vinyl’s 12th steady year since its comeback in 2008.

I know what you’re thinking right now; these numbers are pretty huge. This means that if you’re interested in making some money, now can be the right time to get those Vinyl records out of your lockers and sell them.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most money out of your Vinyl:

Analyze the condition of your Vinyl Records

In any business, the condition of the item you’re selling is critical. For Vinyl records, there is a standard system called the Goldmine grading system used to represent every Vinyl’s condition. The Goldmine Standard grades are:

●    Mint (M). Vinyl that is brand new, in perfect condition, never been played, and still sealed. 

●    Near Mint (NM). Vinyl that is not brand new but in almost excellent condition. It may have minimal to no marks on the surface.

●    Very Good Plus (VG+). Vinyl that has scratches show signs of being played. As long as these scratches do not affect the playback sound, it is considered as VG+.

●    Very Good (VG). Vinyl that has slight scratches affect the playback sound minimally or unnoticeably.

●    Good (G). Vinyl that has visible scratches or is already worn but still playable.

●    Poor (P) or Fair (F). Vinyl that is in bad condition cracked or is no longer playable. It can be used as a display.

Before proceeding in selling your Vinyl, make sure to check how it looks, or it sounds. The condition of your Vinyl is a huge factor in making it buyable. The better the condition, the more money you could make.

Clean and take good pictures of your Vinyl Records

Be extra careful as some cleaning materials can destroy the condition of your Vinyl. Use a cleaning brush and brush off the dust gently before using a liquid cleaner. There are plenty of cleaning solutions to choose from for your Vinyl, but make sure to buy only those legitimate ones.

Once cleaned up, take good photos of your Vinyl. Clear and vibrant images work best. As much as possible, take pictures of your Vinyl under good lighting and in a clean environment. While the Vinyl itself is already pleasing, buyers are most attracted to overall photos.

Determine the Rarity of your Vinyl Records

The more rare your Vinyl record is, the more it sells. Vinyl is considered rare when it is hard to find the original version in stores.

Take, for example, the first album of Elvis Presley or The Beatles. Both albums have sold millions of copies on their first release, but finding an original vinyl record in perfect condition is difficult.

Be realistic about the price of your Vinyl Records.

Some Vinyl is more valuable than others, and that is the reality. But how will you know what is your Vinyl’s worth?

Some of the factors that determine your Vinyl’s worth are:

● The artist. Some artists are more popular than others, and their Vinyl is usually the one that sells more.

● Scarcity. Vinyl is considered scarce when it is rare or a limited version. Autographed albums can also be regarded as insufficient. 

● Condition. Vinyl that is in Mint or Near Mint condition always sells higher.

There is no generally accepted price when it comes to Vinyl, but as long as your Vinyl is in perfect condition, you can always sell it at a higher price. Sealed Vinyl also sells the highest.

Know where to sell your Vinyl Records

Once you’re able to determine the condition and rarity of your Vinyl record, it’s essential to decide on where to sell them. Depending on the situation, there are various platforms and avenues to sell your Vinyl for the most price.

Here’s a list of where you can sell your Vinyl records:

Online Platforms

The online market is always the easiest place to sell your Vinyl. All you have to do is post an ad or post your item, and buyers will come crowding in. Here are some popular online sites that can help you:

●    Craigslist. It is one of the commonly visited classified ads websites. It is being used worldwide and has almost all kinds of items for sale.

●    Discogs. It is an online marketplace for music lovers. Unlike other online platforms, Discogs are specifically built for music fans. It is one of the most popular platforms to sell Vinyl into. Selling your Vinyl in Discogs will target the right market for you.

●    FreeAdsTime. It is a classified ads website like Craigslist with a more sleek layout. It is also accessible and available worldwide.

●    Etsy. It is an online site that is popular for handmade crafts and vintage items. However, selling here is not free as you need to pay certain fees when listing a product.

●    eBay. This might be the online platform where you can sell your Vinyl for the most money. However, it is also where you can get the most competitors. 

●    Amazon. It is a great source for selling almost everything. However, most buyers go to Amazon to find brand new items. So unless your Vinyl is brand new, it might not sell much.

●    FinderMaster. It is a free classified ads website for 100+ countries around the world. Compared to other classified ad websites, its layout is more user-friendly.

●    Gumtree. It is a good alternative for eBay as it is popular with second-hand items. Posting an ad is free, but listing your items for wider results will incur a fee.

●    H1Ad. Though not that popular, it is still a good classified ad site to post your Vinyl to. Remember, the more platforms you post on to, the more chances of attracting buyers.

●    OfferUp. If you plan to sell locally, this can be the best choice for you. It won’t charge any listing and selling fee. Their homepage, however, is uncategorized, so buyers have to search your product via the search bar.

●    Bonanza. Like Etsy, it is popular for selling vintage items. There are no listing or monthly store fees, but you have to pay a one-time fee of 3.5% base rate on your item once sold.

●    WallClassifieds. It is very similar to other classified ads websites, but it has a more minimal layout design, making it easier for buyers to navigate.

Social Media

Probably one of the most popular Social Media platforms is Facebook. It used to be merely for social purposes, but it has now expanded to an online marketplace. Facebook is an essential tool not only for sellers but also for buyers.

Nowadays, making money out of Facebook is easier than you think. With just one click, your Vinyl Record could hit a wide variety of audiences.

Here are a few of the advantages of selling your Vinyl on Facebook Marketplace:

●    Wider reach. Selling in Facebook Marketplace gives you ample space as Facebook algorithms can show your listed items to the newsfeed of different people. Have you noticed when certain ads appear in your newsfeed even if you weren’t searching for that item? It’s because Facebook shows differents ads based on your recent likes or follows. So listing your Vinyl on Facebook would reach music lovers or even not.

●    Personalized buyer experience. Listing your item on Facebook Marketplace with the correct location will help you find your suitable customers. It leads to an increased opportunity for potential buyers to see your product and buy it.

●    Easier to communicate and negotiate. Communicating with your potential buyers is always essential. With Facebook Marketplace, it would be easier to close a deal as almost all people nowadays use Facebook to communicate.

Local Stores

While selling online can be less hassle for you, selling your Vinyl in local stores can also be an alternative if you want to make the most money. Here are three local stores where your Vinyl can be easily bought.

Local Music Store

Selling your Vinyl in a local music or record store is the fastest and easiest way to sell your Vinyl. These local music stores are usually a go-to place for music lovers who want to dive into a classic feel brought by CDs and Vinyl. They typically have collections of Vinyl for sale.

Depending on your Vinyl’s condition and rarity, you can sell it for a higher price.

Used Bookstores

I know what you’re thinking; Vinyl in bookstores? Definitely yes! While the idea is pretty weird, used bookstores are a good place to sell your Vinyl into. These used bookstores are usually run by booksellers who specialize in Vinyl Records.

Their intention, however, is not for collection but for reselling. So selling your Vinyl in a used bookstore could result in a lower deal.

Local Antique Shops

Going into local antique shops is also one of the fastest ways of selling your Vinyl. It is easy to find vintage or second-hand shops near your area. However, these antique shop owners are most likely collectors who use their collections to earn some money. With that being said, it’s vital to check the condition of your Vinyl before heading towards a local antique shop.

These collectors know a Vinyl’s worth. It’s pretty hard to sell your Vinyl when it’s not in perfect condition or not that rare.

Flea Market

You’ve probably heard of a Flea Market before. It is where sellers organize spaces and sell their stuff typically for a lower price. Buyers head on to Flea Markets to take advantage of the huge discounts they could get, as well as to find different used and collectible items.

Flea Markets are a great place to sell your Vinyl records; however, it could be the most complex way of selling them as you need to set up your booth and wait for buyers to look at your products. Negotiations are also famous in Flea Markets, so you expect potential buyers to always ask for a lower price.

Selling your Vinyl in Flea Markets is not always a guaranteed sale. And you need to exert a lot of effort towards it. However, preparation and determination can always make a difference. Make sure to set up your booth in a presentable way where buyers can easily see your Vinyl collection.

Summary

While selling Vinyl records can be a good way of earning cash, it needs a lot of patience and effort. You have to do deep research about the condition and rarity of your Vinyl records. You have to be patient in looking for potential buyers.

Just like in any other business, selling Vinyl records is a risk. But if you are patient, you might be surprised at how much you can be paid for in one sale. And if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, you are already on the right track.