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record show experiences

I went go a record show yesterday.  Lot of junk.  Took a couple of records to trade or get cash for them.  They together were worth at least 150.00.   Guy offered me 20.  They are mint.  He even said he would put one of them in his private collection.  Lol.  There was a lot of junk.  Frustrating.  Are their any good record shows in the northeast USA?  Is it this way at all record shows?
tzh21y
czarivey
4,494 posts
 
which record fair did you go?
i was in Carrboro NC yesterday as vendor.
tzh21y OP
1,377 posts
 
It was in buffalo ny
czarivey
4,494 posts
 
hah suburban heaven indeed. i guess NYC is even farther from you than from me Raleigh NC.
minkwelder
191 posts
 
I am a record vendor, and I will agree that there is a wide range in the quality of records at the shows. I see no problem with that as long as they're priced according to their condition. Not everyone wants or needs a pristine Near Mint copy.

On the other hand, there are those unique, rare items that command a higher price, which brings me to your complaint that you couldn't sell your records for their true value. I shouldn't need to tell you that a dealer can't pay you book price for your records.

What source did you use in determining that your records are worth over $150? You say they are Mint, but that is not a realistic grade for any record that has been opened or played. Even sealed records usually have some cover flaws if they have any age on them. A Mint record is VERY rare.

The Goldmine pricing guides are considered the standard, and the price is based on a condition of Near Mint. This would be a record that looks as if it was just opened. Very Good + is the next step down. This is a record that looks Near Mint except for a few minor flaws; maybe some very light scuffing or a very light scratch that does not affect play. These are generally considered to be worth half the Near Mint value. Prices for lesser records take a nose-dive from there.

The other thing to consider are the different versions of a record. You may have a record that looks just like the one that the book says is worth $100, but is really only worth $10. The price guides can't cover all the many variables. It gets really crazy when you try to price Beatles records. There are over 400 different versions of Sgt. Peppers alone! A website called Discogs is a good source of info on the different versions of a record with ballpark pricing.

I make sure the stuff I take to the shows is at least Very Good. Most of my records are pretty mainstream stuff, and the vast majority of them are priced at $3 or $4. 
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 

Why were you there?

I go to about 6-8 shows per year (two different circuits) and always enjoy and get amused by the experience. IMO, there are three types of attendees..

1. Newbies getting into vinyl buying just about every cheap copy of classic rock albums they can find. Most use Crosleys and its a hipster thing.

2. Collectors who could care less about sound quality and who most likely will never listen to it. But its rare and collectable. And these same types will demo records they are interested in on the vendors Fisher Price or Kenner Close and Play that the vendor happened to bring before they lay down hundreds of dollars. BTW, ever see the preponderance of junk TT’s at these shows demoing records?

3. Then there is me. The audiophile listener who is looking for the best sounding, most pristine copy of a title I really enjoy. I once made a deal for $25 on a mint Japanese 12" 45 rpm pressing of a title I really like. After the deal was done the vendor then offered to play it on his Fisher Price. I told him if he does that, he is not getting my $25.00.  He bagged it and I went home with my one purchase. It is now one of my two best sounding reference recordings.

Since you mentioned a lot of junk, I suspect you may be number three. If so, get to know the vendors that routinely do these shows. They will bring and hide the good stuff they find for you - Japanese pressings, sealed albums, 1/2 Speed Masters, etc. If you just buy one at a show and its a keeper, then its a success.

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