beatcomber
AK Member
Great post on Boston Craig's List (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/emd/2729895257.html):
How not to sell your vinyl records (Everywhere)
Date: 2011-12-01, 5:42AM EST
Reply to: sale-bnys5-2729895257@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO WISH TO SELL RECORDS ON CRAIGSLIST BUT CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THEM:
(1) Start off by not doing any sort of research to see if the records you have are in any way desirable to record collectors, since apparently people just can't wait to purchase things of no value...and then, be sure you are ignorant of unimportant little things such as how records and covers are graded. This helps immensely when trying to sell that Beatles album that spent nearly five decades in a moldy basement (after being played to death on that cheap portable turntable you had as a destructive child)....you know, that album with three split seams on the cover and all that charming handwriting. Collectors will be lining up for that one.
Oh, and if you really DON'T want to sell those records, be sure to (2) relate in words just how much you cannot bear to spend the time listing all those pesky artists and titles; be sure to use phrases like "there are too many to list", or "just want them gone, don't ask me to make a list". Certainly any collector looking for records needs NO information before deciding to purchase -- that buyer would be happy as a pig in manure to just buy stuff, sight unseen, true?
Along with not telling a prospective buyer what it is you are selling, you should also (3) talk up how many there are ("over 200!"), and boast how economical it will be for the buyer to purchase them (use dynamic sales talk like "that's only 43 cents a record!"). After all, since they are so cheap, who needs to know things like artists, titles, or condition of the vinyl and the covers? Minor details, correct? Think of records as though they were instead, books: any ad on Craigslist that states, say, "500 books, just want 'em gone, don't ask me for titles and authors" is sure to be a winner, don't you think? Or do I need to go on?
Finally...(4) if a prospective buyer writes you to ask anything about the records, in order to be REALLY sure they don't sell you should either ignore the inquiry or send back a curt note like "All are in good condition", with no further details. ["Good", by the way, in the world of record condition grading, is one step up from POOR/FAIR....and consequently of no likely use to a record collector, except in very rare circumstances].
IN SHORT: educate yourself before trying to sell any sort of collectable, anywhere. Information is the most valuable "collectable" there is -- anytime you buy something, don't you need details? THANKS FOR READING, comments welcome.
