Grading Policies

The most important but most difficult thing about selling records on the internet is the accurate grading of every record's condition.

Since customers cannot see the records for themselves, I believe the seller must be as honest as possible while grading each record's condition. What follows is the standard I have set for myself for grading the records I sell.

I try to be as accurate and complete as possible about the condition of each record.

I ask that you read my grading standards carefully, and if you have any questions about a particular record's condition please contact me.

All play graded records are listened to through my personal system with either a mono or a stereo cartridge. My grading of each record is based upon what I hear during playback. This may not be as critical a system as others may have, but I think it is helpful to a purchaser to know what equipment I am using. I cannot tell you how a particular record will play on your system, only how it has played on mine.

Play grading of mono records is always done with a mono cartridge.

Please remember that mono records will have more surface noise when played with a stereo cartridge.

• I have been praised for my record grading by my website customers, but since I don't want you to take my word for it, I have included feedback from my customers on eBay to show you how they felt about what they bought. You will notice that there are many repeat customers, not just one-time purchasers. My customers have come to trust my grading policies.
• All my records are graded on an "absolute" scale regardless of age, not on a subjective scale which might say: "A" condition for a 40-year-old record. I believe the subjective scale tells you nothing and is totally unreliable. I give no allowance for the age of a record.
• I do not give a questionable record a low price and then a high grade to make it more attractive. The grading comes first, then the selling price is determined upon the records' condition and collectability.
• All records are graded when examined under the diffused room lighting and direct light from a reading lamp.
• I do not think it is fair to customers to grade records with large grading differences in the various "A" categories and small differences in the "B, C, and D" categories, so I don't!
• There are very small differences in my "A" gradings! Therefore even an "A-" grade record can very well be considered a final copy!
• Jacket condition is only mentioned in the description if there is writing, bends, seam splits, or anything more than overall light wear.
• All records are re-checked before being sold, and the grading is verified as being correct.
• If a record is found to not be correct, I will down-grade it and the purchaser will be notified of this change and have the option of still purchasing the record at a reduced price relative to the new grade.
• If a record does not live up to my strict grading standards, I dispose of it, or donate it, I don't sell it! I have donated thousands of records to The University of Toronto and The Canadian Opera Company fund-raising auctions, as well as to various Goodwill, Salvation Army and Value Village stores in my area.
• Records are not wiped or buffed! This only pushes dirt deeper into the record grooves. Generally, records are sold in the same condition they are purchased in.
• If a record has been cleaned it will be stated in its' description. Record cleaning is done with a VPI HW-17 vacuum record cleaner.
• When received, each record should be properly cleaned by the purchaser before playing it.
• I rely upon word of mouth and repeat business. Since I am small and building a reputation, it is not in my interest to misrepresent the condition of any record regardless of its' price, therefore, my grading is VERY conservative!

S or SEALED = 10: Has no guarantee of condition and is sold as Sealed. The record's inherent value is the fact that it is still sealed and therefore unplayed. Generally, I will open a record to verify the pressing or label, this will have been stated in the description and a grading condition will follow. The customer is made aware that the record was sealed, and the record is now subject to the standards of an open record grading.

A+ or MINT = 9: The record has no markings on it and possibly has never even been played! There are no spindle marks, no sleeve marks, no dulling of the surfaces and it is clean out of the sleeve that I can see. It is almost like purchasing a brand new record.

A or NEAR MINT = 8: One step below the MINT condition grade. This record has been played and as you look at it you will be able to see the tell tale marks of a played record. The surfaces are generally clean, possibly some dust, some spindle hole markings, but essentially it looks like a record that has had very light play in its' life. There may be some surface markings or possibly some dulling of the surface from the record sleeve.

A- or VERY GOOD = 7: A record that has had more than a few plays. The surfaces are now starting to show some signs of use. You might see some light scuffing and/or dulling from sleeves, some very fine scratches (which may or may not sound) and the jacket is probably starting to show some signs of wear also. This record will NOT have any deep scratches. A person can be confident of receiving a record that has overall quiet surfaces but possibly the odd click or pop and some occasional light surface noise. This record would probably move up to a near mint condition with a proper cleaning.

B or GOOD = 6: This record has had lots of playing time. It has some surface markings and looks like a used record. It might have surface noise in portions of the music. This record will still not have any deep scratches. This grade is included because the record would probably move up to an A- condition or better with a proper cleaning. This is the lowest grade I use for the records I sell. I think most people would not be interested in purchasing a record that is not at least in this condition. Please note: I have purchased records on eBay from sellers that have given "near mint" descriptions to records in this condition. I know what it feels like to get ripped off!!

S or SCRATCH: This is a qualifying code. Any record that has a scratch or a flaw like a pressing pimple that sounds, will be qualified with this grade. e.g. A/S: this record would be in A grade condition but has a scratch somewhere on the record. The description section will state where the scratch is, its length and the number of times it sounds. This would only be used if the record is of sufficient interest and value to make it worth considering to purchase in this condition.

C or FILLER COPY: I will only use this grading for rare records that are very expensive if purchased in "A" grade condition. This would be a copy to purchase until something better comes along, or to hear it before you invest big bucks into a near mint copy. A common record would not qualify for this grading, it would be disposed of.