Arts >> Music >> Other Music

How to Determine What My Vinyl Records Are Worth

The most expensive vinyl record in the world is the "Double Fantasy" album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, autographed for Mark David Chapman, just hours before he assassinated John Lennon in 1980. It's worth $575,000, according to CNBC, as of 2011. You likely do not have a vinyl record worth nearly that much, but vinyls are becoming more collectible as we delve deeper into the digital world. Finding the value of your vinyls is a relatively simple -- although often disappointing -- task.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the condition of your record. Grades of records range from "Mint," which is absolutely perfect, to "Poor," which is when the vinyl is warped, cracked, has a hard time playing and is missing the sleeve, or has a damaged cover. See the link in the "Resources" section to gauge the condition of your record(s).

    • 2

      Purchase the latest copy of "The Official Price Guide to Records" or "Goldmine Record Album Price Guide." This method works best if you have lots of vinyl records to sell. Prices fluctuate often, though, so be sure to get the latest edition of the book.

    • 3

      Log onto eBay and search for your record. After the initial list of results appears, scroll down and click the box next to "Completed Listings," located on the left-hand side of the page. This will filter through asking prices, revealing final prices. Find several records that match the condition of your record and are designated by a green "sold" icon. Determine the average price of these records to get a good idea of the value of your own copy.

    • 4

      Visit an independent record store near you, and bring your collection in. Someone can usually appraise your vinyls for free. If you don't know where the nearest independent record store is, log onto VinylHunt, and enter your state and city. If no results appear in your city, enter the closest college town or big city for best results.

Other Music

Related Categories