Well live and learn I guess...what may be considered as VG - VG+ condition to one may not be to another. I received the Lettermen albums that I ordered for my dad and lo and behold the were scuffed scratched and just awful. There was not money back guarantee from the seller etc....oh well...They are listenable just annoying with all the scratches, pops etc...even after a good cleaning...Anyone else have this experience....I guess there's a first time for everything....oh well at least I didn't spend a fortune...

Yeah it's amazing how "liberal" some sellers are with grading their records. I sell vinyl (mostly 70's pop and rock and some dance music even some 45's) and I make sure that I'm very pessimistic about my grading. Most sellers don't LISTEN to the records they sell because they buy them in lots and don't have time to go thru each one before selling. I tend to try and at least give each record a cursory listen before buying (listen to begining of each song) and if I see scratches or scuffs I describe them for the buyer as best as I can. If you buy enough records off eBay and get a GOOD seller, try to stick with 'em because I found that they tend to judge the vinyl & album covers fairly consistently.

Scratched records should be graded as poor.

VG records can have surface noise from scuffing and grove wear.

VG+ records can show signs of being played with very slight surface noise but otherwise should be in good shape and play well.

You are so right. I guess what really ticks me off is that I was just so excited to give them to my dad and I'm glad I didn't because of the condition...oh well guess I just gotta do another search for those lps again....wish me luck and hopefully a better seller....

You are so right. I guess what really ticks me off is that I was just so excited to give them to my dad and I'm glad I didn't because of the condition...oh well guess I just gotta do another search for those lps again....wish me luck and hopefully a better seller....

It does suck and I think a lot of us have been down that path with ebay. GL finding some good copies. :thmbsp:

I've had mixed experiences with LP's on Ebay-- and sometimes with less than stellar results.

I send an E-mail with my dissatisfaction, not written in a mean way, and hope for the best-- most times I end up with at least my purchase price refunded and sometimes shipping too.

FWIW -- I only buy LP's on Ebay from a proven LP sellers with a track record for selling records. I learned the hard way!

Good Luck--

I've had mixed experiences with LP's on Ebay-- and sometimes with less than stellar results.

I send an E-mail with my dissatisfaction, not written in a mean way, and hope for the best-- most times I end up with at least my purchase price refunded and sometimes shipping too.

FWIW -- I only buy LP's on Ebay from a proven LP sellers with a track record for selling records. I learned the hard way!

Good Luck--


Thanks! Yep live and learn....I think I'm just gonna search where I can physically look at the album or as you say with a trusted source...but this was my first time.....

Thanks! Yep live and learn....I think I'm just gonna search where I can physically look at the album or as you say with a trusted source...but this was my first time.....

Yea, nothing sucks worse than waiting for a favorite lp and then having a crummy copy show up!

I bought a Stones Sticky Fingers from the UK -- (big bucks) and they are known for being warped because of the zipper cover. I specifically asked beforehand, and was assured it was fine-- guess what! WARPED like a taco! Fortunately I got lucky and received a full refund. But that really taught me that one can't be too careful. Luck of the draw and all.

Local purchase really is best, and the hunt is part of the fun :)

I send an E-mail with my dissatisfaction, not written in a mean way, and hope for the best-- most times I end up with at least my purchase price refunded and sometimes shipping too.


Yeah don't let junk sellers get away with it and make sure to mention their overgrading in your neutral or negative feedback if the seller doesn't give you satisfaction - otherwise you're just letting him/her screw some more people.

I still take chances on eBay particularly with lots, if the price is right. Win some, and win some but still lose because the condition is so bad! :eek:

Pete

Yeah don't let junk sellers get away with it and make sure to mention their overgrading in your neutral or negative feedback if the seller doesn't give you satisfaction - otherwise you're just letting him/her screw some more people.


Pete
Agree that
Absolutely :thmbsp: !!!

Well live and learn I guess...what may be considered as VG - VG+ condition to one may not be to another. I received the Lettermen albums that I ordered for my dad and lo and behold the were scuffed scratched and just awful. There was not money back guarantee from the seller etc....oh well...They are listenable just annoying with all the scratches, pops etc...even after a good cleaning...Anyone else have this experience....I guess there's a first time for everything....oh well at least I didn't spend a fortune...

If you ever get up to Santa Barbara, be sure to stop by American Pie Records and look for those albums. Its a pretty good store with a real knowledgeable owner and a large stock. You won't get any "scores" there because they know what they've got and they're priced accordingly, but getting what you want, in the condition you want it, is worth something too! I haven't been down that way for quite awhile, but I make it a point to stop there when I do.

It's not exactly in your neighborhood, but at least it's in the same half of the state! Good luck! :music:

If you buy enough records off eBay and get a GOOD seller, try to stick with 'em because I found that they tend to judge the vinyl & album covers fairly consistently.:yes: Took me a while, but I finally found a seller not too far away that grades honestly and prices fairly. I get a good deal, shipping time is short, he has a happy repeat customer. Everybody wins.

I'm glad I persevered and did not give up on buying off the 'bay. Good Luck!

It is truly a crap shoot. I have had some well graded ones and have had some that VG+ must mean something else to me cuz, torn covers (one had a picture that did not represent the real cover in the auction) deep scratches and stuff like that really makes me mad. I do agree though that finding the right seller makes it a whole different game :)

If you ever get up to Santa Barbara, be sure to stop by American Pie Records and look for those albums. Its a pretty good store with a real knowledgeable owner and a large stock. You won't get any "scores" there because they know what they've got and they're priced accordingly, but getting what you want, in the condition you want it, is worth something too! I haven't been down that way for quite awhile, but I make it a point to stop there when I do.

It's not exactly in your neighborhood, but at least it's in the same half of the state! Good luck! :music:

Do they have a website where you can order?

Hey sqdlvr!

I know for a certainty there are some Letterman lps at my local GW. I'll take a jog over there this afternoon and inspect them. If they're decent, I'll give you a holler.

somewhere locally at a thrift i think i saw some lettermen, dang'd if i can remember.

I've also had varied results on ebay with records. Unfortunately a lot of sellers pull this kind of nonsense, when what they should do is grade very conservatively.

I've been buying quite a bit of vinyl of eBay lately. A couple were bad, so I told the sellers. In one case they refunded the money and the other guy sent me a replacement.

In the past, I received one that was cracked and another horribly scratch. Each time they either refunded or replaced the record. It's worth communicating your displeasure to the seller.

I have The Lettermen - Traces/Memories in VG/VG++ you can have.

If you ever get up to Santa Barbara, be sure to stop by American Pie Records and look for those albums. Its a pretty good store with a real knowledgeable owner and a large stock. You won't get any "scores" there because they know what they've got and they're priced accordingly, but getting what you want, in the condition you want it, is worth something too! I haven't been down that way for quite awhile, but I make it a point to stop there when I do.

It's not exactly in your neighborhood, but at least it's in the same half of the state! Good luck! :music:


American Pie is very cool, good place... although take note that they just recently moved down to Ventura, so you'll want to stop there and not in Santa Barbara... also look for Buffalo Records and Grady's Record Refuge there.

I kept an eye out while making the rounds today, and I saw decent looking copies of Everything's Good About You (1971) and The Lettermen!!...And Live! (1967). A buck each. Let me know if either on your list...

I posted a thread on the general audio discussion in which I described some of the good Karma I've experienced this week, particularly with respect to some very nice records at a thrift store. Among the records I picked up, having recalled your post, was The Lettermen "Now and Forever." I need to pass some of this good Karma on to keep it alive,. so I bought it for you. PM me if this is one that you need, and we'll figure out how to get it to you.

Regards,

D-Ray

I kept an eye out while making the rounds today, and I saw decent looking copies of Everything's Good About You (1971) and The Lettermen!!...And Live! (1967). A buck each. Let me know if either on your list...

On the Everything's Good About You is there writing on the cover, split seams? Lemme know...and I'll ask my dad...

I've been buying quite a bit of vinyl of eBay lately. A couple were bad, so I told the sellers. In one case they refunded the money and the other guy sent me a replacement.

In the past, I received one that was cracked and another horribly scratch. Each time they either refunded or replaced the record. It's worth communicating your displeasure to the seller.

I have The Lettermen - Traces/Memories in VG/VG++ you can have.

Thanks, but my dad has that one...appreciate the gesture though...

On the Everything's Good About You is there writing on the cover, split seams? Lemme know...and I'll ask my dad...

no and no. It actually looked pretty good, and fortunately I recall the thrift store. it's out a bit and I only hit it about 1x per week -- so let me know if it's :thmbsp: and I'll grab it for ya.

American Pie is very cool, good place... although take note that they just recently moved down to Ventura, so you'll want to stop there and not in Santa Barbara... also look for Buffalo Records and Grady's Record Refuge there.

Thanks for the heads-up about American Pie Records moving! I would've been bummed out, big time, if I'd have gone down there and found the store gone. I'd have assumed they went out of business, like so many other record stores these days. Glad to hear that they just moved! I'll remember to give Buffalo Records and Grady's a look too. Thanks a million for the great tips! :thmbsp: We want these guys to all do well and stay in business! :D