Grading Used Lps: What to look for?

Oh! Also, if you do have an Eagle's Desperado. . . ;-)

Dan_ed, the LPs I have that did not meet the seller's grading are either scuffed, scratched or groove-worn. They are not simply dirty.

I do not believe you would be interested in them, but if you are, I would be happy to provide a list and sell them at my cost.

The "PIG IN A POKE" syndrome is what you have buying LPs sight unseen. The sellers reputation is everything.
And you should pay for that reputation. I still buy a few LPs now and then.. but only when I can SEE them. I used to buy on ePay years ago... (forget that!)
With 6,000+ really nice LPs.. I am set.
The best LPs that I find in 'minty' condition are usually classical. The nuts who collected classical ALWAYS did so in a big way. And at least half of the classical LPs I find really have never been played.. or maybe once or twice. (A whole lot of classical wax sucks too... played by nearly blind old farts who scratched the heck out of the LPs..)
But most of the best are classical. Middle period Jazz can also be found in pristine condition relatively easily.. Finding clean early jazz is frustrating! (and very very expensive)
Rock... Finding clean, usable rock albums you might actually WANT is hard! Lucky for me I have a decent source locally to look around for those rock LPs I still covet.
I have to chuckle at the folks who have the 'old rock LP collection (200-300) from their youth, and wonder what it is worth... (zero in case you need to know)
SO, basically to respond to the post: Seeing is everything. I feel sorry if you have no access to LPs in your local area. (Those folks need to watch rummage sales.. Find someone who goes to them all the time, bribe them to call you the minute they see a big collection. some day you will hit the jackpot.)

Ok. Now I understand, Tvad. I've stopped worrying about how accurately LPs are visually graded because it is too subjective. And many times it has no bearing on how the LP sounds.