Secondhand Vinyl Grading System

We aim to grade as accurately as possible and if you receive a record that does not meet your expectations please don't hesitate to contact us. Our records come with a guarantee that the condition matches the description. The photographs of the records are of the actual item you will receive to help you see the condition of the cover as best as possible. 

Our vinyl grading system is based on the Goldmine Standard rating system which has been used by the vinyl selling community to grade records for decades. With Japanese pressings we also grade the Obi. 

Mint 

Record: Assumed perfect. We only use this grade for a record that is still factory sealed. 

Cover: As above we only use this grade for a record that is still factory sealed but even then very rarely because brand new records often have minor signs of handling from when they were shipped to the store and placed on shelves etc

Near Mint 

Record: A nearly perfect record. More than likely has only been played a handful of times if at all, and the vinyl will play perfectly. No spindle marks or anything you can point to as damage. 

Cover: A good description is “it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.” Might show the most minor of signs of handling. Free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

Excellent 

Record: Except for some very light marks this would be a Near Mint record. Minimal signs that it has been played with less than five spindle marks each side if any. 

Cover: Very minimal signs that it's been handled. Perhaps one or two very faintly dinged corners or a small mark or two. EX covers would be NM if not for a couple of minor things. 

Very Good+ 

Record: A VG+ record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience are okay. Most collectors after a copy to listen to first and foremost will be happy with a VG+ record.

Cover: A cover that is showing average wear and tear for a record thats been played multiple times but is still in reasonable shape. Might have a seam split, creasing or writing on it. Usually the description will give specifics as to why it did not make the "EX" or higher grade. 

Very Good 

Record: VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. Groove wear could be evident on sight, or light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has obvious surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. We rarely sell records online in this condition. 

Cover: Will have many signs of handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides. See item description for details. 

Good 

Record: A record in Good condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. 

Cover: Wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft. Basically the cover is "rough"! 

Poor

Record: Probably should be used as a frisbee. Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. We have never sold a record in this condition online and almost certainly never will. 

Cover: Cover barely keeps the LP inside it due to being totally trashed in multiple ways. We have never sold a sleeve in this condition and... almost certainly never will.

 

OBI GRADING:

Mint: Perfect. Behind original shrink wrap. 

Near Mint: Looks new except for one or two very light imperfections. 

Excellent: Again looks new if not for one or two more obvious imperfections such as bumped corner or foxing. 

Very Good+: In Excellent shape except for a serious flaw or two such as tears or serious foxing. 

Very Good: Obvious flaws such as serious foxing or tape repair to a large tear but fundamentally sound. 

Good: The best description for "Good" is "Not Good" ( Hey I didn't come up with the Goldmine standard this list is based on) 

Poor: Barely recognisable as an Obi (crumpled up/covered in mould etc)- and no doubt thrown out already and a grade we will never need.