A Record Collecting Review

A Few Notes on Vinyl Shopping and Record Collecting

By Kristin Battestella

In my quest for information on cataloging my record collections and reviewing Christmas sets, I’ve seen several sites online that offer records on CD sales or digital classic Christmas albums.  While some are certainly wonderful sellers and totally legitimate, others might be quite the scam, so beware.  Here are a few tips on what to look for when shopping online for LPs on CD, going thrift store record hunting, or digitally preserving one’s own vinyl pride and joy.

Depending on the record, some prices for this LP to CD conversion service are $30 or more, even $50 or $75 for complete collection sets, and then you have shipping and insurance and whatnots to add.  $25 or under makes a little more sense, as that is about on average what you would pay for an officially released CD anyway. While some albums are rare and elusive, sure, most of the hefty prices are covering the overhead costs of someone’s else buying the gadgetry, pretty packaging, and running a little mail order business on the side.  For some, doing the research into these sellers and making a ready made and upgraded purchase is more convenient than a thrift store hunt. However, I do fail to see paying some of these prices for essentially a homemade CD, especially when you can get the original vinyl for a maximum $3 an album just by driving a few miles to your local junk shop.  Read customer reviews and compare prices before you put up the bucks.

At Goodwill or any other second hand or thrift store selling records, you can examine the record itself for imperfections, feel it in your hands, smell it, even ask to test it before buying if there is also a for sale turntable handy.  Do also wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or keep cleanser or wipes handy, as it can be a little dirty to search through piles and piles of records! If a run of the mill junk shop is charging higher prices for records, then they should not be moldy, coverless, or tossed about and disorganized. Some unknowledgeable but sly places will just mark any old record or all material by a particular artist just because the record is assumed collectable. But when you damage the record or treat it like crap, honey then it isn’t collectable!  Higher end second hand stores, record shops, or any expensive record pricing needs to be justified by the albums being in relatively good condition, perhaps even re-shrink wrapped, and most importantly, stickered with grading information or whether the dang thing plays or not.  Do also always check to see if the right record is in the right sleeve! When a record is the usual $.50 to $1.99 or a quarter for a 45, then it’s easy to take a chance on something that might skip or not play just for the sentimentality of having it. Sometimes, a store might also be throwing away its broken records or empty sleeves or trashing the last of a collection that didn’t sell.  Occasionally, stores may even give away their leftovers for free!

Finding your nearest store or two with a decent record inventory and getting to know their stocking habits or management personnel can also save you time and money. If a shop knows the records you are looking for, they may call you if they come across it or give you a deal on a collection. I have dragged each of my family members to junk shops and taught them how to sift through the often unorganized piles.  Usually, there’s an awkward, unfriendly or squashed set up, too, and it always seems like there is another person trying to look at the records at the same time you are!  There’s no need to be competitive, however, or fight as though they are trying to get the last Cabbage Patch Doll away from you.  A simple comment or question like, “Lots of Christmas records in this stack!” or “Have you see any Bee Gees albums in that pile?” per my tastes for example, can break the shopper tension and even help you search faster.  You may even meet a DJ or fellow recordphile for a trade or private purchase. The joys of hunting for the real record thing far outweigh a virtual exchange, indeed. Not only may you find something else special or unexpected while going through the LP piles - which is part of the fun anyway- but thrift store purchases often also go towards the store’s affiliated charities and programs. In pursuing the records themselves, you can still indulge your vinyl shopping habits smartly and do something worthwhile at the same time while also being green!  Do we really need more CDs made to also eventually toss or more records filling up the landfills? No.

Of course shopping online for digital restorations might be perfect from some, and the real world vinyl hunting may be the thing for others.  However, with today’s technology, someone with a serious interest in having his or her vinyl go digital can also invest in one’s own USB record player or other convertible electronics now available from long time turntable purveyors like Crosley.  Unlike even a few years ago when computerizing your records and tapes needed a room full of devices and seriously specialized software, today a few hundred dollars worth of easy to use equipment and you’re all set up to preserve your entire collection.  I know that finding that kind of extra money can sound like a lot nowadays, especially just over saving old records. However, figure the numbers for someone who has a record collection in the triple digits.  $50 mail order for a CD of every record you have and you could have bought and paid for the equipment to do it yourself anyway and still had financial room for more records!  Besides, if you embark on your own digital restorations, you can control what you want and how you want it for yourself, not for someone else’s bottom line. 

 And I should also mention a few notes on turntables to play your records on- because who knows someone who has a stack of records but no player with which to play them?  Everybody! Buying a cheap turntable second hand is not that great of a bargain, oh no.  If you purchase one of those older stereo systems, not all the components may work.  You don’t know the equipment’s whole story, and when the needle on the arm breaks, you’ll be out of luck if you can’t find the right replacement.  If you do pick up a junk shop player, just don’t expect to get much out of it for the price.  Others, however, prefer using broken turntable parts to build their own. Some love to collect broken turntables or just can’t stand to throw them away- like me. Fortunately, finely crafted standalone turntables or made to look old all in one CD/Cassette/Radio/Record Player systems are available new in departments stores or online.  Some may come with extra needles, warranties, or replacement part ordering information.  Crosley again also sells repair equipment for several turntable models, and the prices aren’t as bad as you may think.  For about $100, you can easily find a record player to match your décor, style, or music needs. Who knew?

Yes, getting dirty in thrift shops for vinyl and still listening to those records is kind silly; I know it is a niche market.  Buying an LP converted to CD seems like an even more specialized demographic, too, and getting technologically decked out to digitally do it yourself takes its fancy as well.  Nevertheless, whichever spin you have on building your record collection, you shouldn’t have to be ripped off for your habit or be unable to enjoy your music of yesteryear.  Know what sellers, pricing, shopping, systems, and equipment work for you in your pursuit of snap, crack, and pop vinyl glory.