How To Buy Vinyl Records
Most modern media stores only sell CDs and DVDs
. If you want to listen to analogue music instead of digital, you need to buy vinyl records from a specialty retailer or online record store.
The first thing to consider is whether you wish to purchase collectable records, or new records. You might think that only older records which were originally released as vinyl records are available for purchase, but there has actually been a resurgence of interest in analogue recordings in recent years. You can now buy vinyl records that are being newly pressed, as well as older recordings second hand.
If you plan on buying collectable records, there are two main factors which will determine a records popularity or value, other than the rarity or desirability of the recording itself. First, the album cover can be a collectable. Then, the material of the record can make it collectable if it is something other than standard black vinyl.
If you are purchasing from an online record store, they will list the condition of the cover, using acronyms such as NM (near mint), SOC (sticker on cover), or WSOC (water stain on cover), as well as the style of cover, using acronyms such as FOC (fold out cover) or GC (gatefold cover). If you are purchasing from an online auction website or individual, make sure you get a photograph of the condition of the cover. If you are purchasing a record from a specialty retailer in person, you can inspect the condition of the cover yourself.
If the material of the record is not specifically mentioned, you can assume that the record is made of black vinyl. Some of the alternate materials that records can be made of include red vinyl (such as the RCA Victor Red Seal records), white or other coloured vinyl (generally used as a gimmick, with the colour matching the title in some way), and picture discs (consisting of a photograph or other illustration underneath clear vinyl).
You should also find out the condition of your proposed purchases liner. This paper or plastic sleeve holds the record inside the cardboard cover, and prevents dust from accumulating on the record itself. Some are plain unprinted paper or plastic, while others contain the printed lyrics of songs and additional album artwork.
Once you have determined what you wish to purchase, if you are buying from an online record store, auction website, or non-local specialty retailer, you need to make sure that your purchase is shipped to you with adequate protection. Vinyl records are fragile, and must be protected during shipment.
Always ensure that your records are shipped with extra postal insurance. Some sellers will automatically include this in their shipping costs, while others may charge you extra. Also, ensure that your records will be shipped with padding, and in the case of extremely fragile records such as 78 rpm records, with additional packaging materials such as shredded paper or foam peanuts. The seller should offer a return or refund policy in case records arrive broken or if their condition is other than described.
If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to buy vinyl records safely, and have many years of enjoyment from your purchases.
by: belindadarling
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