Saying goodbye to a favourite record can be painful for any record collector. Yet, one way or another, we finally reach that point where it's necessary to sell our vinyl. Vinyls take some space, and over time, they seem to gather. Selling old records allows you to free up more space at home. By selling old records, you also have a positive impact on the environment by cutting down on waste. You are not dumping them, you're just helping someone else to listen to your records, extending their life span.
This all sounds great but you might be thinking I don’t know how to sell old records and I don’t know where is the best place to sell vinyl records. In this guide, we’re telling you everything you need to know.
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How To Sell Old Records
You can be successful in selling your records if you know the vinyl market and how the process works. There are a few things you should pay attention to before jumping into selling:
Estimate the Value Of Your Records
To get an idea of what your vinyl records are worth is based on various factors. Going to a professional evaluator would be the best advice for making the most correct assessments. You would need to do some research, with the help of the Internet, discography databases, and collector forums, to understand the value of a specific record based on its condition, how rare it is, and the demand for it.
It's a rarity that most affects value; limited edition releases or albums from artists in high demand can fetch a very high price for themselves. Moreover, editions with special features may surprise you with their value. Records in their protective sleeves and with cleaning kits increase their worth. Extras like autographs can drastically improve value, as this is what collectors go after.
Choose the Right Platform
There are several avenues you can use to sell your old records. Online market platforms are the best place to sell vinyl records. You can sell your things to people around the world. You can also opt for physical methods such as record stores, vinyl record fairs and conventions. The best place to sell vinyl records will depend on what you are comfortable with and the value of your records.
Prepare Your Records For Sale
The first thing you should do is clean your records. Make sure they are in the best shape possible before you sell them. Dust your record and don't forget to look at the sleeve too. Take off any surface marks you find. Look for any damage that will decrease their value. Use a light cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush or soft cloth to avoid scratching the vinyl when you're cleaning it. Check your record for scratches, warping, or other defects that could affect how it plays and its value overall.
See our Top Picks of Best Record Cleaners
Set Price for Your Records
There is a huge price range when it comes to selling old records. Popular albums from artists might sell for just a few pounds if they are in terrible condition. Very scarce and highly sought-after records can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Keep prices competitive: Compare the prices of similar records to yours and change your prices accordingly. High pricing could push buyers away, while low pricing could mean you lose out on value.
How to Estimate the Value of My Old Vinyl Records
Before selling anything, it’s important to know how much that item is worth. Selling your vinyl is no different. Here’s how to find the value of your vinyl:
Find Your Vinyl Release
First, find the Catalog Number on your record, usually located on the sleeve of the album or pressed into the inner ring of the vinyl itself. Alternatively, look for a barcode number. If neither is available, jot down other details such as the label, the title of the tracks, and so on.
Once you have gathered identification information about the release version, head off to find it on Discogs. This can be done by copying the Catalog Number, barcode number, or other details into the search bar. All releases fall under a Master Release in the Database. If you are unsure, just search for the title of the album, go into the Master Release page, and use the "Find Your Version" function to find your release. Once found, double-check your information to be sure it's a match.
See The Record Value And Sales History
Discogs has the most current sales history for every item sold in the Marketplace. On each record's release page, you can find the lowest, median, and highest sale price, calculated automatically from the 30 most recent sales of this item.
To get this information, find the Statistics section. On desktop, this is commonly located on the right-hand side; on mobile, you may have to scroll down. Here, you'll instantly find the lowest, median, and highest prices the release has sold for on Discogs. Click the Last Sold date, and you can get even deeper into the sales history, with the average vinyl price and a chart showing you trends over time.
Check If The Edition is Limited, Foreign, or Withdrawn
Limited edition records, which are purposely pressed in very small quantities, have great value. These limited editions are typically designed to be different in appearance from the regular record, in various colours, or as picture discs. Picture discs, which are made by taking a picture or graphic—often the album cover—on the playing surface, are especially collectable and popular.
Record collectors highly seek foreign editions of records by popular artists. Many American artists have a different record title or a different cover in another country. Collectors usually like to collect foreign editions of their favourite artist's records if they are different from the American edition, among other things. Japanese records may have red vinyl and paper sashes 'obi' which include information about the record written in Japanese. Japanese records are also pressed using a different process, and the sound is different from the American or British versions.
Withdrawn records also hold immense value. These are records, either albums or singles, that have been pulled from the market a short time after they have gone into circulation. This happens due to legal issues, controversial content, or production errors. Normally, these records are of limited quantity before they are withdrawn.
Consider The Rarity And Artist
Records by very popular artists can become relatively rare in circulation over several years, particularly in terms of condition. Albums by artists like Elvis Presley and the Beatles sold millions of copies when first released but today, many of these have been thrown away or rendered unplayable by heavy use. Those that remain in excellent condition are therefore rare and fetch a high price.
A record's value is majorly determined by the artist behind it. Some artists are more collectable than others. Some artists with large followings, such as Elvis Presley, Pink Floyd, blues singer Robert Johnson, and the Beatles, record albums and singles that remain valuable and highly collectable long after they have retired from recording or are long dead.
The artist's signature can be another rarity factor that has a huge effect on your vinyl price. If your records have a signature from the artist, you might consider bidding on it.
Check the Condition
While all the factors mentioned above play a role in determining a vinyl record's value, none is as crucial as the condition of the record itself. Collectors seek records that are in the best possible condition, ideally looking for those which are mint and unplayed, having pristine covers, like when they were initially sold.
Best Place To Sell Vinyl Records
There are many different places you can sell your old vinyl records in the UK. Here are a few options you can choose from:
Online
Selling your vinyl online allows you to reach a larger audience. You can use social media platforms to reach potential buyers. Selling it yourself would mean you would have to package and ship the item yourself. Online sites are also a great option, but as mentioned above these sites charge fees.
Classified Advertisements
Using a classified advertisement website requires you to do a lot of research to figure out which sites are trustworthy. Classified ads also expire quickly and need to be replaced or reposted regularly, which can take up your time. If the site has low traffic, all your efforts may be in vain. Your ad may also get lost among competing listings. You can make your listing more visible but this will come at a high cost.
Record Shops
You can also sell your old records to your local record store, especially if they cater to vintage and collectable music. They are most likely to buy used records if they are still in good condition. Keep in mind that the offer you will get may be lower than selling directly to collectors.
Car Boot Sales
Car boot sales attract plenty of visitors, but most buyers are bargain hunters and will not pay fair prices, often trying to haggle with sellers. Collectors will visit car boot sales, but they usually arrive early, rummaging through boxes the moment they are unpacked.
Antique Centres
Antique centres like Hemswell provide an ideal environment for record collectors and sellers. At Hemswell, potential buyers can leisurely view and take a close look at the condition of your record.
How To Sell Old Records Online
Selling old records online is far easier today, with modern technology being used by everyone. Here is everything you need to get started selling your vinyl online:
Know The Vinyl Release
Begin by finding the catalogue number of your record, often on the sleeve or pressed into the inner ring of the vinyl. There should be a label or serial number on the record or sleeve. You can use this information to check online catalogues and determine the details of which edition you own by following the steps in our “Find Your Vinyl Release” section above.
Determine The Value
Always research any record you're selling. Use online resources like discography databases and collector forums to determine the value of your records. Factors that affect the value of your records are their condition, scarcity, and the demand for them as mentioned above. If your record is well-kept and stored in protective sleeves you can put a higher price tag on it.
Choose Your Selling Platform
Discogs and eBay are the two best places to sell vinyl records online. These websites reach people from all around the world, but you will have to pay fees and shipping to sell on them.
Set Up Your Online Store
Shopify is a good tool that you can use to set up an online store. They have a business name generator and logo maker tools that you may use for your online store. Further, you can choose your store theme to further customise your online presence.
Set Up Your Product Pages and Payment Methods
For every record you sell, you will create a specific product page that will have top-quality product photographs and informative descriptions. Integrate any one of the many payment gateways available to securely process payments on your online shop.
Start Listing Your Records
Once your online store is set up you can start listing your old records and start selling.
Best Place To Sell Vinyl Records Online
If you don't want to go around physically selling your old vinyl, there are plenty of online options for you to consider. Here are some reliable and reputable online sites you can use:
Cash For Records
This company specialises in selling old vinyl and they have labelled themselves as the best place to sell vinyl records. The selling process is simple, just fill in their website form, and they then send you an offer, if you accept their offer, you get paid immediately. They also collect your record from you at your home. You can check out their website here.
eBay
eBay is an online marketplace with a wide selection of vinyl records. You can get a good idea of what to price your records at by checking the completed listings or sold items.
Discogs
Discogs is one of the largest online music marketplaces. It allows you to list and search for a record and gives the recent sales data on the record. Music enthusiasts are most likely to look for items on here.
Vinylnet
Vinylnet is another great online marketplace to sell your old records. This is the best place to sell vinyl records if you have collections that you are looking to sell. They buy anywhere from 50 - 750+ records.
Facebook Marketplace
This a great social media platform to use for selling. Many people use Facebook to look for second-hand items.
Final Thoughts
Selling vinyl records is not that tough once you learn the basics. You can master how to sell old records by following the guidelines we have given in this post. Once you know the process of determining value, selecting the selling platform, and then getting selling, you'll be all set.
Once you get started, you would possibly want to try out several selling platforms and see which one attracts the most buyers. If you aren't huge on technology, then the best bets would be selling to places like record stores or antique centres. Remember, the best place to sell vinyl records may depend on the type of record and its value.