Best Places to Buy Used Vinyl Records | Talking About Records

[@looder011]

Nice one! Maybe you should do one about visual grading of records (Goldmine). There aren’t many videos that cover this at all and since you have this series for beginners it could be very useful for newcomers.

[@NTXVinyl]

Great idea!

[@blondebae4884]

Agreed that would be a great video

[@bridgermahlum41]

I started collecting records thanks in part to your KZbin channel. In fact, your videos have become a regular piece of my daily routine (wake up, work, gym, NTX Vinyl, spin records, bed, repeat). Your presentation style is also becoming more polished with each successive video and, if you aren’t doing so already, should seek out public speaking engagements at relevant conventions, events, etc. to extend your reach - your accessible approach in talking about records is valuable to a lot of people. Keep up the great work, GI!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thank you SO much! That’s amazing to hear…🙏🏻

[@joshuagrattan4412]

Completely agree with your experience with estate sales. I still check online weekly for local garage sales. My favorite is going to my local swap meet that has hundreds of vendors that come every Sunday.

[@NTXVinyl]

Nice! Didn’t even think to mention those. Good call

[@johnmoreno96]

Record collecting has changed alot in the last 10 to 20yrs. There is so much more competition now that it’s become a popular hobby. It requires lots of footwork, time, energy and even money. I’ve had good luck by word of mouth, Nextdoor, yard sales and second hand stores. I guess the old rule applies “The more you put into it, the more you get out of it”

[@NTXVinyl]

Could not agree more. It does take serious effort, but the same could be said for most things in life that are worth committing time to. ✌🏻

[@ericelliott227]

Nice video! What I appreciate is your helpful info and keeping it real. I wish I was in the area of your shop. You are one of the few who know what the reality is. I'm an experienced record hunter (been at it for 21 years or more, so I would hope I have learned something by now). The used record market has pretty much dried up in my area (California). There was a time I could go to a yard sale or a swap meet and score big time. Not the case anymore. People here stopped putting records out at yard sales because they were harassed by collectors (the type trying to get rich quick). Today, people will sell to a dealer or put up for auction and call it done. The thrift stores around me still sell records, but 99% of the time selection is slim and they are heavily damaged or stuff nobody, even those new to it would want. I only shop for used records because I have no interest in today's pop and I also do not trust new records these days. Of course, there are the "audiophile" companies like MoFi and Acoustic Sounds, etc., but $125 for a standard single LP? Really? For me there is also a very thin selection of interest in that market. Much of what I listen to has not been "re-done". I don't buy used records on-line, it is too risky and I don't have the income for that. I won't go near Ebay because it is mostly people trying to sell you a piece of paper for the price of gold bars. In other words I am aware of a number of guys who just sell records on Ebay, but are absolutely clueless. They go to record shows or people unawares and try to get records almost for free and then turn around and sell a $1 record for $24 or something lying about value and condition. Sadly, there are still a number of folks who fall victim. It really pisses me off when I see those guys at my local record show trying to rip off sellers and just knowing what these guys do is hard to stomach. Discogs valuation is also not to be taken literally. Many people do, including dealers, but the reality is that Discogs prices are often inflated. Discogs takes an 8% cut on records sold, so sellers will often try to cover that, which makes sense, but one should just be aware. With a place like Discogs as you mentioned, due diligence is key. While it is not as wild as Ebay, you still have people on there selling who have no clue. Ah, Craigslist: For a time that was almost a "go to" for me for vintage gear and records. However, since about 2004 or so it has become almost strictly a hardened criminal social media place. You are relatively safe looking on it for garage sales, but even then do your homework, check the address! Meeting in a public place is no good anymore, even that has become unsafe. I would not even do that unless one has a concealed carry permit and full body armor or something. I want nothing to do with Craigslist. I have but one semi-local record shop and it is not all that good. The owner over-prices stuff. He says it is because of overhead. Well, of course there is that to cover, understood, but beat up records for $5? Really? $5 would be fine if it was just decent condition. However for decent condition used records he wants $10 to $20. He also doesn't even give store credit for records you turn in (and he has known me for years). You have to pull teeth to get him to do it and then he will only give $5 credit for a stack of 10 records or more regardless of true value. That said the shop is more into headache inducing DJ stuff than classic rock, jazz, etc. What I do have though is a semi-local record show I was mentioning earlier. A bunch of dealers small and large gather, rent tables and sell all manner of records and from $1 to $1000. It is not huge, but it is big enough. That is now where I find the bulk of my records. A few dealers there have also gotten to know me and will almost always give me a little break. It is not much, but very appreciated! (I always make sure they know that).

[@NTXVinyl]

Right on Eric! Appreciate the feedback and insights

[@AlexM8910]

Love these type of videos GI! Funny enough, I just found out a couple hours ago about Discogs record store locator and found a few near me that weren’t on yelp

[@NTXVinyl]

There we go! Great resource. Thanks for watching Alex!

[@inkset4065]

A great informative video , I've had very good buys from Etsy, lots of classic vintage vinyl.

[@NTXVinyl]

Awesome! Would have never thought of that. Fantastic tip.

[@rogerdarby908]

Hadn’t thought of Next Door. Thanks for the tip

[@NTXVinyl]

Sure thing! I’ve had great success there over the years. Good luck!

[@blondebae4884]

There is a town Jefferson TX that is almost nothing but antique shops haven’t had a chance to look for vinyl yet I’ve had my best luck asking around And I’ve seen some antique shops with 80 dollar records just gotta keep looking something will fall into your lap

[@NTXVinyl]

Very cool!

[@vinyljoe1940]

Love the content GI. Keep it coming

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much!

[@FairytaleVinyl]

When my mother in law saw I had started collecting vinyl, she pulled out boxes of OG records from her attic. I didn't even know she still had them

[@thecrewcollector5171]

Thanks for videos! As one opening a door into vinyl I have watched many of your videos and quite informative. Not sure there is an answer to this but any non obvious things to look for when buying used records? For example, I bought 4 fairly inexpensive used records at an antique mall. I know I have a novice eye but all 4 looked to be in really nice condition. No obvious marks, scratches, scuffs, etc but 1 of them when played skipped like crazy on both sides. Could be unfortunate draw and and that happens given age of some of records which I understand or is there hidden or non obvious things a newbie may not realize to look for when buying?

[@joshuagrattan4412]

It could be that the vinyl is warped. Even without scratches a record can be warped (not perfectly flat) that cause the needle to hop and skip. It could also be your record player. Perfectly fine records have been known to skip on cheaper model turntables and record players because the design and build are cheaply made.

[@thecrewcollector5171]

@@joshuagrattan4412 thank you for the info and on the record player this is indeed a lessor one so may not help either. Any suggestions for a decent reasonable priced more starter one?

[@NTXVinyl]

Agree with the comments here. Your turntable is the first place to look. Even a player in $200-300 range can make a DRASTIC improvement over sub-$100 models.

[@nickshepherd5394]

Around here the garage sales, estate sales and antique malls don’t price accordingly. They think they are going to get rich off their stuff. It’s pretty frustrating and we definitely don’t frequent them like we did in the past.

[@NTXVinyl]

I hear you on that. I’d be curious to know if that’s typical across the country or if in smaller markets you can still find deals at those types of sales/locations

[@monaural2.988]

The time to buy vinyl records was sadly pre-2010. Once Record Store Day came to town to tear its ugly, overpriced head, the “good stuff” the majority wants was removed from the market from a buck or two to $30, $40, and $50. And beyond. And a word about estate sales; yup, if there’s going to be a well- kept collection from a late owner, there’s going to be a cut-throat atmosphere. Been that way for many a year. Garage sales, yard sales, swap meets, thrifts…flip your coins and hope for the best. Because the “professionals” scope those out stem to stern. And make Damned sure the only things left are scratched Mitch Miller and Barbra Streisand. You have been warned!

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah it’s quite a different environment out there, even from just a few years ago

[@200crates]

did you miss record fairs ? bought most of my records at record fairs

[@NTXVinyl]

that's a great call!

[@hovz-zo8lf]

Don't sleep on USED BOOK STORES. Especially the smaller ones. Since their inventory is made up of donations, a lot of their donations come as a result of someone passing away. I've found lots of gems at a local used book store.

[@NTXVinyl]

Great tip!

[@hovz-zo8lf]

In big cities Thrift Stores are not a good option. They get picked quickly. I found that small town thrift stores are gold mines.

[@NTXVinyl]

I can totally see that being the case.

[@davidevans3175]

Goodwill can be good because the folks that run the stores and do the pricing are clueless about valuable records. They're just happy to get their 5 bucks. I've found that indie record stores are very untogether about keeping up their online inventory of used records. It's almost a waste of time. Even Amoeba is pretty lame.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah it’s hard to sell vintage online. Tons of work to maintain it.