"The Record Thing"

 

 

Twice a year, if that, I use this space to reach out to all of you regarding your vinyl collections. 

I am always looking for records. All the time. Small collections and large. I sell mostly on line. I sell privately, and occasionally on Instagram. Hopefully soon, I'll be out and about once again doing record shows.

Even prior to this thing they call the COVID, getting inventory was difficult. 

I have made a living buying and selling records and CDs for almost 30 years. More like 40, if you count the early years when it was more of a part time job. But with the vinyl fetish reaching an obnoxious level, it has become increasingly more difficult to acquire collections. 

Many people just can't part with their memories, even though their records have sat untouched for years and they no longer have a turntable.

A good condition copy of "Beatles '65" is worth about as much as a great condition copy of "Beatles '65, which is about nothing. But it's hard to convince people of that, because it's The Beatles and, well, "I bought that record at the Two Guys in Paramus New Jersey when I was 15. I was with my best bud Stevie and we cut class and...." 

You get the picture? 

Sometimes, our favorite records of all time, just aren't worth anything. Try selling "Squeezing Out Sparks," even for $2. It'll take you three record shows and an eventual price reduction. Then, maybe....maybe...someone will grab it after you say, "This record is the best thing you'll ever spend a buck on."

Then there are those who think they can sell their collection themselves, but don't quite understand the reality. This usually falls apart the minute they realize they have to buy shipping supplies, clean their records, look up matrices, compare pricing, find the info on the specific pressing they'd like to sell, take photos and actually have to work, only to end up baffled by why their copy of "Eat A Peach" still hasn't sold. Let's not forget the worst part. THE POST OFFICE! Four times a week, rain or shine, heat wave or snowstorm! When they finally see what is involved, they end up either not selling anything and returning all the boxes to storage, or worse, accepting an offer much less than I had originally offered, just to save face.

Then of course, there are those who know everything. These are people who Google John & Yoko's "Two Virgins" or the Claudia Cardinale cover of "Blonde & Blonde," see that both have sold at one time for $100 and just assume that can be done again, until you explain, "Your Two Virgins is a bootleg, and even if it wasn't, there are plenty of copies out there for sale, and the truth is, no one really wants Two Virgins anyway.  And that Dylan album is in terrible shape and you wrote your name on the cover, because that's what you did in college, so no one wants to pay for a rare record that says Mikey Perillo in the top right corner. And on the label."

That said, I love what I do but it is a job. It's not a "thing," as many members of my family and some friends think. 

"Still doing that record thing, Sal?" "Uh, you mean, running a business and working 7 days a week? Yes. Still doing that thing."

I have a great job, but it can be a slog sometimes, especially when inventory is low. It's ironic, during the last months of my shop, we had everything but customers. Now, I have nothing but customers, and little to sell them.

If you have records you'd like to unload, please contact me. I realize it will do neither of us any good if you are on the other side of the country. But if the collection is solid enough, I will travel.

I also have a want list, which is below. Maybe you have one or two of these that you'd like to unload.

It's much easier to ship smaller amounts.

Thanks for your time and thanks for looking.





WANT LIST
(Specific pressings can be discussed later)

Big Youth- Screaming Target
Ray Barretto- Acid
The Impressions- Check Out Your Mind
Los Straitjackets w/Big Sandy- Rock Espanol Vol. 1
The Saints- Prehistoric Sounds
The Gaylads- Soul Beat (Must have "Peculiar Man")
Giles, Giles & Fripp- The Brondesbury Tapes
The Clash- Super Black Market (Triple 10")
Motorhead- 1916
Robert Palmer- Ridin' High
The Bees- Free The Bees
Corrosion Of Conformity- Deliverance
Galactic Ruckus
Aardvark (Tapestry Reissue)
Pops Staples-Father Father
Paul Weller-Illumination
Del Amitri- Twisted
Rufus Wainwright-Want Two
Levon Helm-Electric Dirt
Foxy Shazam-Church Of Rock N Roll
Sparks- Lil Beethoven
Tears For Fears- Everybody Loves A Happy Ending
David Byrne & Brain Eno-Everything That Happens
Booker T & The MGs- Union Extended
Rickie Lee Jones- Pop Pop (Either single or 2 LP)
Bryan Ferry-Mamouna
Ian Hunter- Artful Dodger