Collecting vinyl records is very rewarding, and anyone who does it will tell you that it is worth every penny if you value physical media. But there is a lot of confusion surrounding whether or not used vinyl is worth anything; after all, being able to sell some of your collection is one of the benefits of both vinyl and physical music in general.
New vinyl records cost around $25. The average price for a used vinyl record in good condition is around $15. Collector’s editions and special prints can demand thousands depending on the artist and condition of the album.
Used vinyl records can fetch a reasonable price as long as the record itself and the sleeve aren’t worn out. You want to take as much care of them as possible if you’d like to retain their value, but even worn-out records can be valuable depending on the album.
Various factors determine the value of a record. Whether you want to turn a profit or simply offload vinyl records that you don’t find yourself listening to anymore, selling records plays a role for many people who are into vinyl. We will be discussing how to determine what your records are worth and how to ensure that they stay as new as possible.
How Much Are Vinyl Records Worth?
These days it costs a lot more money to buy a vinyl record than before 2007. That year was the year where vinyl started to make a comeback. Before then, the average cost of a record was just under $5. These days that has skyrocketed to an average cost of $25 to even $30.
What happened? In short, prices rose due to demand, and people are willing to pay. For many people, the current prices of a new vinyl record are a bit much, however, and so they turn to the used market, where prices can be as low as <$5 for a single album.
By getting a little creative, you can find people selling multiple vinyl records in a pack for a low price (source).
If you want to expand your record collection on a budget, buying from reputable used sellers is the way to go. But what determines the value of a record?
What Dictates the Worth of a Vinyl Record?
For starters, the vinyl and sleeve state is a major determining factor in how much it is worth. If the record itself is worn down and the sleeve looks like it has seen better days, it isn’t going to be very appealing unless you sell it at a low price. If it is a common album, you might be able to get $10 for it.
Even a worn down record can fetch a nice price if it is rare, but even more so if it is as preserved as possible. If it was never opened? The value just skyrockets from there.
Are Imported Vinyl Records Worth Anything?
What might surprise you is that where the record was pressed (manufactured) can impact its overall value, especially so if it is a vintage press. When it comes to imported vinyl records, a record that was pressed in a band’s home country will generally be worth more than one pressed elsewhere.
UK, German, and Japanese pressings are often more valuable than American ones. Overall, they are generally of higher quality. If you have a record that was pressed in one of these regions, it will likely be worth more than the American equivalent.
This is especially the case if the record is from an older era and was preserved well. For example, UK pressings before 1980 can be quite valuable due to how good the press quality was back then.
How to Ensure Your Records Remain Valuable
Vinyl records these days aren’t a cheap investment. So, if you are planning to sell some of your collection in the future, whether it be due to faded interest in a particular album, a rise in value, or you just need a quick buck, it is going to be important to preserve both the record itself and the sleeve.
Below we will go through how to preserve your vinyl records as much as possible.
Clean Your Records After Each Listening Session
A clean record will be preserved better overall. Dust can end up leaving micro-scratches over time, so it will be very important to keep your records dust-free.
Consider using a dedicated record cleaning brush, even more so an entire record cleaning kit such as this Big Fudge Record Cleaner Kit (link to Amazon).
It would only take seconds to brush off any excess dust, and it will preserve the records for longer. It’s worth both the time and money to do this.
Never Leave a Record Out of Its Sleeve
It’s no secret that vinyl records are very fragile things. Slight bents and scratches are enough to practically ruin what was otherwise an amazing listening experience.
Records come in the sleeves for a reason, and they are integral in helping preserve them. The sleeve will protect it from dust, scratches, and bending.
Additionally, don’t leave a record sitting on a turntable when you are done listening. You’ll only allow dust to accumulate and potential accidents to occur.
Store Your Records Upright
It’s crucial to ensure that excess weight isn’t placed on your records when storing. You’ll frequently see vinyl collections stored in a diagonal position, but this is not a good idea.
Over time, the uneven weight will cause the discs to warp, which will lower their value. We suggest using a crate divider to ensure that your vinyl collection is stored perfectly upright.
If you think that stacking is an ideal alternative, unfortunately, this can also cause warping over time. It’s simply best to ensure that no pressure is being applied to the records when in storage.
Handle Your Records With Care
The golden rule when picking up a record is to hold it by the edges. Touching the surface will transfer the oils on your fingers, resulting in a negative effect on audio quality.
Additionally, always play a record from the beginning. Randomly placing the needing down to find a specific song may damage the disc due to the needle finding the wrong grooves.
Patience is key when listening to records; it isn’t like selecting a song on Spotify or even a CD for the matter. You are generally in it for longer, more focused listening sessions.
Trying to fast forward a record by hand or rewinding can damage it over time. If you want to preserve your records as long as possible, it’s best not to handle them like a DJ.
If you’d like more insight on how to care for vinyl records, we’ve linked a video below.
Conclusion
Records can be worth a decent amount of money depending on the quality, condition, rarity, and specific album. Your average everyday common record can be sold at a fair price as long as it is in good condition. With the recent resurgence in the popularity of vinyl records, understanding how to maintain their value can really be worth your time.
Remember to treat your vinyl collection with the utmost care to ensure that they retain their value and audio quality.
You never know when you might want to sell something, whether you need a bit of cash or one of your records turns out to be valuable in the future.