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Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's,
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Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's,
Aug 29, 2002 02:52 PM
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Hi there, and welcome to my Ebay workshop on buying and selling records. My name is Chuck Miller, and I have collected records - 45's, LP's, 78's - for nearly 30 years. During this workshop, I hope to cover such topics as how to prepare your record auctions to achieve the best sales; what can and can not be sold in an Ebay auction with regard to music, and some do's and don'ts in shipping records through the mail. Hopefully some of the tips I pass on to you will help your auctions and purchases in the future.
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(1 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 02:55 PM
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Welcome boston465, And everyone who has joined us tonight!
If you've not used the threaded boards before, you may want to quickly review the Board Tutorial.
We love workshops to be interactive, so please feel free to ask your questions that directly relate to this topic. To avoid duplicate posts, please click on the colored number in parenthesis to refresh the page e.g.( #15 of 20).
This promises to be a very interesting and informative workshop. boston465 is the author of Warman's American Records 1950-2000: Identification and Price Guide and has written numerous other articles on music.
A note from our Legal Department:
The statements and opinions made in this discussion board are those of boston465 only and do not reflect eBay policy or eBay's opinion with respect to such statements.
Maeve
eBay Community Development
Meet others who share your interests. Join an eBay Group today!
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(2 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 02:58 PM
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Hi --
What's your method of packing 78s?
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(3 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:00 PM
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Hi bookbiz, that is one of the questions to be answered this evening. I'm glad to see you here. Maeve
Meet others who share your interests. Join an eBay Group today!
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(4 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:00 PM
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Hi Bookbiz... I'll be addressing that later in the seminar, but one rule of thumb I use is that you should pack 78's as if you were shipping china plates... so stick around, okay?
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(5 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:00 PM
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HI CHUCK, GLAD YOU ARE CONDUCTING THIS WORKSHOP. I HAVE BEEN SELLING MY EXTENSIVE RECORD COLLECTION AND I FIND THAT THE PRICES IN THE BOOKS ABOUT LP'S DO NOT REFLECT THE CURRENT MARKET ON E-BAY. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? CHONEE
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(6 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:01 PM
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GETTING STARTED - GRADING A RECORD
Before you sell any records online, you need to make sure that you give the record a proper "grade." Collectors will pay more for records that are free from scuffs, scratches, skips, seam splits, stains, etc. So it's important to describe the record's condition as accurately as possible. I'm not saying you have to play every record before selling it (that would obviously take lots of time), but you should be able to listen to 45 seconds of a record to tell if the sound is clear or crackly or hissy or skippy.
The best and most universally accepted method of appraisal is the Goldmine grading system. It works like this:
NM = Near Mint = best possible condition. Vinyl is clean with no scratches or scuffs; album cover is sharp with no wear or splits.
VG+ = Very Good Plus = might have a tiny scratch or scuff that does not detract from play; album cover shows slight age but is still sharp.
VG = Very Good = Some light scuffs on vinyl; some wear marks and slightly rounded corners on album jacket. Also known as a "well-loved" copy.
G = Good = some scratches on vinyl that can be heard but are not too distracting; album cover shows plenty of use, including rounded edges, some split seams and/or front cover wear.
F = Fair = Record may have pen marks or wear spots on the label; cover shows serious distress. The record might have a warp or loud crackling noises upon play.
P = Poor = Virtually unplayable and worthless.
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(7 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:02 PM
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Hi, Chuck! Have been looking forward to this workshop since I have BOXES of records stored away. Will sit quietly and learn!
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(8 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:03 PM
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Message 5 - Hi Chonee - I'll address that topic in just a moment, when I discuss the importance of a record guide with an ebay auction. Stick around!
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop host: Maeve
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(9 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:04 PM
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Message 7 - Hi Goldnart, hopefully I'll be able to give you some information that might help in your future Ebay auctions!
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(10 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:04 PM
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Appreciate your sharing your knowledge with the eBay community, Chuck. Thanks.
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(11 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:04 PM
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PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR RECORDS FOR AUCTION
Buyers want to see what the record looks like. They want to make sure that what you're selling does have that rare variation or label art that they've been looking for all their lives. If you're selling 45's, you can use your flatbed scanner to scan the fronts and backs of the record (set your scanner resolution for 72 dots per inch - higher resolutions take longer to load). Make sure you scan the A-side label, as well as any unique marks or cracks the record might have).
If you're selling 10-inch 78's, 12-inch LP's or 16-inch radio transcription discs, a home scanner will be too small to use. For those records, a digital camera works best. Make sure you take a stationery shot of your record in a well-lit room, and shoot the record without using the flash (your camera should be securely mounted, or at least resting on a solid surface, to avoid motion blur when you take the photo). If you use the flash on your camera, you will often get a white reflection in the photograph, generally right in the center of the album jacket or vinyl, which won't help your sale. Take photos of anything that looks unique or important about the record - does the jacket have a split seam or a price tag on it, is there a song that doesn't appear on any other version of that album, etc.
You should take extra photos in case a buyer has a particular question about a record. If somebody asks about a label variation or a serial numbering oddity, it's most likely because you have a version of that record he/she has been looking for, and they just want to make sure they're not purchasing the same exact record that is in their collection.
Here's a good tip if you know some HTML scripting - an economical way to show off your record photos is to upload them to a personal homepage, then link to them in your auction text. You could also upload the photos to the auction site by using Ebay's IPIX server.
Some people try to cram four records into one photo, then use that photo in four different auctions and say "You are bidding on the record in the upper left corner," etc. Don't do that - it gives the buyer the impression that you are too cheap to photograph each record individually, or that you don't take enough time with your auctions - and therefore might not take enough time with your customers.
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(12 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:06 PM
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Hi Chuck, glad to be here for the workshop, I am going to listen (read) and will probably have some questions!
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(13 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:09 PM
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Message 12 - Hey hardwareguys, glad you could make it, pull up a chair and let's enjoy this workshop!
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(14 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:11 PM
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Are older radio promotion copies of lps sold on ebay?
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(15 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:11 PM
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RECORD CLEANING FLUIDS
Even if the record looks clean, there could still be some microscopic dust particles in the grooves that could affect play. Besides, it's good courtesy to give the record a good cleaning before selling it. A good rule of thumb is that you can clean 45's and LP's with an alcohol-based record cleaning fluid. One home recipe involves one part isopropyl alcohol to three parts distilled water, a half a cap of Woolite, and a few drops of Kodak Photoflow. Spread the liquid cleaning solution over the grooves and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
Do not use an alcohol-based cleaning fluid for 78's. Okay, let me repeat that for emphasis. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL-BASED CLEANING FLUID FOR 78'S! Most 78's have a binder of shellac, which dissolves upon contact with alcohol. For that, you definitely need a non-alcoholic, non-perfumed cleaner. Such fluids are available at record supply stores, and online at websites like Bags Unlimited. You can also use distilled water and a soft cloth to clean 78's, taking care not to get the label wet. Among the dirt and dust and gunk you'll find in the grooves of old 78's, you may also find steel filings - imagine a record that had been played for years with steel needles, and the steel residue remained in the grooves for 60-70 years...
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(16 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:12 PM
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Ever since I heard that there was going to be this workshop, there was one advertised topic which I am just dying to hear explained in detail: why "promotional records" are not permitted for sale online. Can't wait to hear why!
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(17 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:12 PM
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hello Chuck, I'm just going to sit back and learn how to sell my large 78 collection. Eric
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(18 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:14 PM
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Question for you there Chuck, I have been looking at those record "vacuums" that hold the record, spin it around, and vacuum the dust of...what is your opinion of those? I have a ton of records I have picked up at live auctions that need a good cleaning, but havent really started it yet, as I dont want to damage them in the process
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(19 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:14 PM
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Message 14 - Folksinger, that's a two-part question. If you're asking if people have been selling radio station copies of records on Ebay, the answer is yes. Now... should they be doing that? Actually, if the record is marked "Promotoinal - not for sale," they can't be sold on Ebay. I'll address that more later in the seminar.
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(20 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:15 PM
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Why are vinyl promo's illegal to sell even if they where released 20-40 years ago?
Never ever have record companies provided a method to take back promo's, eventhough they state that the record remains property of the record label, and that it must be returned upon request.
Thus these promo's, that are still being released in stagering quantities, are simply items that will be ending up in our landfills, since we cannot sell them for second, third etc.. use.
Isn't selling them and giving the items a new home and use a much better way to keep our planet a little cleaner? They realy do not hurt sales of the artists "real" records.
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(21 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:16 PM
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Message 18 - Hardwareguys, those record vacuums work great on getting out dust and dirt, when used with a record cleaning fluid or solution. Some collectors swear by the VPI or the Nitty Gritty; and they're great machines if you're doing archival work with records. But for casual home use, a simple soft cloth and your own cleaning fluids work great.
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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(22 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:18 PM
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I was told that LPs can be cleaned with a cloth
dampened with water and dishwashing liquid. Is
this a no-no?
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(23 of 101)
Re: Ebay Expert Member Workshop: How to Buy and Sell Record Albums, 45's, 78's, etc. on Ebay
Aug 29, 2002 03:18 PM
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message 20 - Heineken, that's a very good question. I'm going to address promo records later in the seminar, but here's a thought - even if the record was a promo copy from 20-40 years ago, the artist still never got paid for that pressing. And the "promo only - not for sale" tag was originally designed to keep radio stations from selling their surplus records and essentially making a direct profit. But we'll get to that later in the seminar. Stick around!
Chuck Miller, Boston465
Workshop Host: Maeve
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