Vinyl is expensive

kray

kray

HE>i
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I have been thinking of buying a turntable lately and hit a couple used record stores today, but that kinda changed my mind.

Prices were insane. Used records of stuff I’d consider buying were all like $15-$30!

I found a couple used CD’s i wanted for $3, which I can play directly in my CD player or rip to my music server.

I get the experience of a record but I’m pretty much priced out of it at this poInt.

Does good vinyl exist for $5?
 
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kray said:
Prices were insane. Used records of stuff I’d consider buying were all like $15-$30!
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That's a high priced store, most common titles in my store are $3.99- $4.99 some things get to $10-$20, And then very collectable is all another story.

kray said:
Does good vinyl exist for $5?
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Very much so, you should look in barter town, Hell I try and pass my savings on to members and sell box loads of records from $5.00 per title and up depending.
 
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I been paying between 6 and 12, maybe a little more for more desirable/mint albums. I have found some real gems at GW and other thrift stores for just a couple of bucks. but they are far and few between. With vinyl condition is everything. I've got some off Discogs for what I thought was great prices but have to factor in 4 or 5 dollars for shipping. I shy away from most over 15 unless its something special. Garage and estate sales are a great source too. I been buying albums since the 70s though. Its a treat to find a mint or near mint copy of something I've owned for 40+ years that's totally worn out. My local used record store usually prices things starting at $6. For me anyway its taken me years to build my modest collection of near 500 albums.
 
I find the few stores in my area are priced on the higher side for the used stuff. New stuff on the other hand is relatively reasonable, but still more expensive than on Amazon.
 
Anywhere from CAD$8 to $15 and as high as $35 for Japanese jazz pressings is what I pay for used records, in NM condition. Classical ones I can find for $5-$10, all in NM condition as well.

Anything cheaper than $5, I wouldn't bother with either because they're titles that don't appeal to me or because the condition is less than ideal for my styli.

Look around, don't be discouraged.
 
the_nines said:
Anything cheaper than $5, I wouldn't bother with either because they're titles that don't appeal to me or because the condition is less than ideal for my styli.
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That sounds like a recommendation that $5.00 records are to be avoided. But I guess more to do with you and your area prices. In my area right now $3 - $4 - $5 is the going price for the bulk of records in a record store that are VG to mint in all popular music. In fact anything VG and lower goes in the clearance bins for .50 cents a title. Some title of huge artist he gets a bit more for like some Beatles and early Stones $10, $15 and $20. And then of course we have the collectable class that will fall into those higher prices and up to 1000s of dollars.

I have many members blown away by the condition of records I send them at very low prices because they are not used to getting that condition and artist at that price
 
Agree the prices are going up on used records, but I've gotten to the point I only buy new or still sealed if not from my local guy. Gary let's me take them home for a spin, he doesn't clean the records and trusts my opinion. If it's a keeper we settle up on my next visit when I return the not so greats and pick up some others.
 
4-2-7 said:
That sounds like a recommendation that $5.00 records are to be avoided. But I guess more to do with you and your area prices. In my area right now $3 - $4 - $5 is the going price for the bulk of records in a record store that are VG to mint in all popular music. In fact anything VG and lower goes in the clearance bins for .50 cents a title. Some title of huge artist he gets a bit more for like some Beatles and early Stones $10, $15 and $20. And then of course we have the collectable class that will fall into those higher prices and up to 1000s of dollars.

I have many members blown away by the condition of records I send them at very low prices because they are not used to getting that condition and artist at that price
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I know.

I wish I lived in your parts (and in the USA in general) for all things related to this hobby.
 
In my local area ... $5 used to be high ... but anymore it's a good price if you can find it. o_O I've been noticing legacy Vinyl (pre-1990) creeping up to $8 to $15+ range for popular titles (if you can even find them) at one of my local stores. Things is ... buyers are paying it too.

That being said .. I'm still finding bargains ... BUT .. it's usually something (artist/band) that most of the general
public is not aware of. Fortunately for me ... I started collecting in the early 2000's ... so all the standard fare that most people want to build a record collection of is sitting on my shelf already.

My advice for somebody starting out ... build a small but relevant collection of legacy (pre-1990) vital vinyl. Back when I started collecting Vinyl .. use to blog with a fellow collector who's entire collection consisted of 50 extremely rare and hard to find pressings. He was quite satisfied with that.

Take an interest in Newly pressed Vinyl ... it's never been better. Also keep in mind that new LP's are not pressed in the quantities that old LP's were ... so there is a good chance of it being highly collectable in the future .. if it goes out of print.

Realize that's it's not a cheap way to buy music anymore, Prepare yourself for $$$ sticker shock.
 
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As 4-2-7 stated. I've found excellent albums at garage sales, and if lucky, thrift stores for a buck. Although sometimes tedious searching, to me, it's well worth the effort. I've somewhat overcome the sticker shock buying at record stores. For me, being very selective, especially on condition keeps my budget in check. I won't overspend. Shopping lists help when visiting record stores, especially starting out.
4-2-7 said:
That's a high priced store, most common titles in my store are $3.99- $4.99 some things get to $10-$20, And then very collectable is all another story.


Very much so, you should look in barter town, Hell I try and pass my savings on to members and sell box loads of records from $5.00 per title and up depending.
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I was fortunate to build my collection of about 400 lps before the vinyl craze took off and when they were available at thrifts.Anymore if something comes to mind that I want I'll just look on ebay.I've had good luck there and at an average of about $12 a copy shipped I'm ok with that price.I don't really need or want many more so it works for me.Now for someone starting out it can get pricey nowadays.Not much different from the days of cds when starting a collection.If I recall new cds were $15 back in the early 90s.
 
I too have a good collection of about 200 albums but, I still never have to pay anymore then $3- $10 at the most for any one album (excluding rare ones).
I think I'd certainly look elsewhere and online with reputable sellers and I think you'll find that they're much better deals out there.
 
$15-30... ya those are SoCal prices for sure. Fingerprints in Long Beach prices suck. $47 for Oingo Boingos first album. Used!
 
Yard sales, Goodwill, etc. can be excellent places to find nice vinyl cheaply. As 4-2-7 mentions above, many AKers selling vinyl fairly here in Bartertown.
 
It depends how you look at it. Yes, prices here are going up.
A few days ago I was in a small city in NZ on a vacation. I found a very small vinyl only shop, about the size of the average kitchen.
In this shop I found what I've been looking for for awhile.
A really excellent copy of Derek and the Dominos live album (a double). I got it for NZ$40 (that is US$28 at the moment)
I was happy with that. A couple, over here, can pay that much to go out to the movies once. I can play my record for the rest of my life for my $40.
 
Marine0811 said:
My local record shop has a lot of 3 for $10 record deals. New can cost $25- $40
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And when figuring in the cost of inflation then these prices are commensurate. I really have no problem paying $15 - $25 for new records, even $40 - $50 for double sets or specialty limited release albums.

Looking at my new nostalgia system got me thinking. Back in 1978 at the ripe old age of 20 I purchased my second system. AR 12 speakers, Kenwood KA-7100 amp, Kenwood KT-6500 tuner for around $1000, my new Celica GT two yrs earlier was less than $5000. $1000 for a twenty yr old kid back in the day would be like $8,000 or maybe more today. I guess my music has always been important to me, so ya, I'll pay $20 without even sweating over the price.
 
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Yes, good vinyl exists for $5 but near mint vinyl will be four times that or more.

Records are a luxury item. It's not like buying groceries.

Although, if you look at the cost of groceries 30 years ago and compare that to today, the cost of living has just about tripled.
Why should records be any different?

And record prices are one thing; look at the availability and price of turntables, cartridges and needles, then decide.

Now IS the time to buy up CD's. They're cheap and plentiful. CD players are plug and play. Condition is not as crucial and I don't know how old you are but the millennials aren't as attracted to them right now.
 
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