Learning about LP records from TreasureNet

[Beachkid23]

Now I haven't learned a whole ton other than the fact of people still like these. So I bought 20 of them today at a yard sale for two dollars for everything. There's five that I think are worth a decent amount so this is when I got. Maybe I'm wrong they could be worthless too!



















I think the last one is the best one of the five.

 

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[jerseyben]

You MIGHT have gotten lucky on the last one but the rest... I would stay away from this kind of stuff, IMO. There does not appear to be anything unique or rare about it. Looks like 1 random seller is trying (and failing) to get big bucks for it.

The rest of those records would go in my dollar bin, and would probably sit there for quite a while.

Try to avoid big band, soundtracks, brass, opera, musicals, spanish/french/italian pop stuff. If you never heard of the artist but you have heard of the record label, chances are good there is a reason. The only stuff that is valuable are the no name bands on no name labels. Otherwise, stick to the known artists. Think about the stuff that you listen to, your friends listen to, your parents. Try to avoid the stuff your grandparents would listen to.

 

[NJ Marty]

You MIGHT have gotten lucky on the last one but the rest... I would stay away from this kind of stuff, IMO. There does not appear to be anything unique or rare about it. Looks like 1 random seller is trying (and failing) to get big bucks for it.

The rest of those records would go in my dollar bin, and would probably sit there for quite a while.

Try to avoid big band, soundtracks, brass, opera, musicals, spanish/french/italian pop stuff. If you never heard of the artist but you have heard of the record label, chances are good there is a reason. The only stuff that is valuable are the no name bands on no name labels. Otherwise, stick to the known artists. Think about the stuff that you listen to, your friends listen to, your parents. Try to avoid the stuff your grandparents would listen to.

Ben you are correct, AVOID the soundtracks, opera etc. The big money in lps now is prog and psychedelic. I always stuck to the known artists and was finding stuff I remember and still like to listen to. Then the addiction got to me and studied the forgotten unknown prog/psyc stuff. A lot of this music is beyond great and most folks never heard much of it. I lucked out and stumbled on these 2 for a buck a piece, Morgen and KAK. Killer music, and very valuable to boot. Remember look for obscure prog psyc.

 

[boristhespider88]

Here is how I was shown to look for LPs:

1) Go to local Goodwill/Salvation Army/whatever.

2) Browse their record section.

3) Make note of artists who have more than one record there.

4) Wait a month.

5) If those same records and/or artists are still there, DON'T BUY THE RECORD(S). Their fans are probably all dead and no one will have any interest in them (why else are they at Goodwill?!).

Anything beyond that, if I've heard of them and know they are still relatively trendy or well-known, I'll buy it (if the price is right).

The other advice provided here is sound (ha, music joke).

Stuff I personally avoid:
Andy Williams (the valuable stuff is few and far between from what I've researched, odds are good that if the store has a record shelf, there is at least one Andy Williams record on it)
Obscure gospel music (being in the South, they are prevalent here and unless it's an artist I'm into, I skip it)
Opera, foreign, etc. that jerseyben listed

Stuff I personally buy:
Rock
60's - late 80's country
Comedy records (Steve Martin, Dr. Demento, "Weird Al", etc.)

Also, if you have any interest in collecting records for yourself, hit up your local record stores. I have a store about 20 minutes away that usually has a free bin and the last time I went, I got to check through the stuff (I had an hour to kill) and the guy told me if there was anything I wanted, I could just have the whole box if I bought one thing from him. I can't remember what I bought, but he gave me like 2 copy paper boxes full of old school country, comedy, and rock records. I haven't been back in awhile, I need to go check on that...

- DS

 

[diggummup]

I didn't see a single record today in about 15 sales I managed before the rain started. That's unusual.

 

[clovis97]

I know almost know nothing about vinyl, even though I sell it for $1 per LP, and generally, 50 cents for 45's.

I have looked up a ton of records on ebay. We've spent hours researching stacks of records, mostly to learn about the record business, but also to make sure we aren't selling a $50 album for $1.

One thing that I've found: Sometimes, if you find spotlessly clean vinyl of 50's to 70's rock, in original recordings, even if they pressed hundreds of thousands of copies, they can sometimes be worth a small fortune.

Take the Supremes, for example. It is not uncommon to see one of their original early albums, in super clean shape, bring $50+. Or the Beach Boys can easily fetch $30 to $40+.

Again, I know nothing about vinyl, but I keep a keen eye for super clean stuff of popular bands.

 

[jerseyben]

I know almost know nothing about vinyl, even though I sell it for $1 per LP, and generally, 50 cents for 45's.

I have looked up a ton of records on ebay. We've spent hours researching stacks of records, mostly to learn about the record business, but also to make sure we aren't selling a $50 album for $1.

One thing that I've found: Sometimes, if you find spotlessly clean vinyl of 50's to 70's rock, in original recordings, even if they pressed hundreds of thousands of copies, they can sometimes be worth a small fortune.

Take the Supremes, for example. It is not uncommon to see one of their original early albums, in super clean shape, bring $50+. Or the Beach Boys can easily fetch $30 to $40+.

Again, I know nothing about vinyl, but I keep a keen eye for super clean stuff of popular bands.

You couldn't be more correct!

Any time I see an album (opened) but still in original shrinkwrap, I always look at it to see it is in mint condition. Sometimes people opened albums, played them once, and never touched them again. I also buy factory sealed records (never opened) whenever I find them. Even the crappiest sealed records are worth a few bucks, where an opened copy might never sell, not even for $1.

Records is tough. For me, it is something I specialize in because it is my main collection focus (besides coins). I am always shopping for records for my own collection as well as for resale. I also like records because they are so easy to find at $0.5-$1 that even if you buy a few duds, you never really lose too much money. The return on invest can be astounding, as NJMarty pointed out. For a buck or 2, you might end up getting your money back 100x or greater.

 

[Lost&Found]

Aside from looking for mint/near mint record, sleeve and cover if I find a desirable record in vg near vg+ and the cover sucks, for a dollar, I will still buy it and will replace the cover when I come across a better example.

My son is making a nice piece of change reselling limited record day issued albums and Third Man releases.