Record Grading...


There are reasons why to void Goldmine grading:

1. It doesn't assume testing a record by only identifying the visual usage intensity and intensity of scratches. Even noisy records that look great can be graded NM at your dissapointment when you start playing them.
2. Grading Mint sealed records may not be correct because the record could be so warped that it wouldn't play at all or will rumble too much so underneath the sealed jacket there could be the record that cannot even be G rated.
3. Record that clips-pops on one track with short duration should be by goldmine graded G even if the rest of songs are absolutely noiseless while noisy ones throughout all tracks can be graded VG+ if they look pretty. I disagree because the record that only has glitch on one track should be valued way higher vs. one noisy on all tracks.
4. Had received records VG+ where music is distorted due to the usage and large density of scratches(looks pretty though), but in reality it's not even G.
5. Nothing says in Goldmine standards about fingerprints and grease on the playing surface. Stains and fingerprints penatrate playing surface with accumulated dust over them and bring as much unpleasant noise as scratches or damaged grooves with poor and old styli tip.
czarivey
First, almost no one tells the truth about what grade a record is anyway.. At least from the main places like eBay.
Amybe a few 'old school' places for buying records, most sellers claim to be based on the standards..

The only real way to be 'safe' is to be able to buy and return records which fail to be good.
So little to do with 'grading' and EVERYTHING to do with returnability.
The local places I like to go to have 100% no problem returns, no question why.
So IMO the questioning Goldmine grading does not matter at all.
All that DOES matter is returns.
I'll present this from a Seller's view . I Sell records on ebay [ mostly Classical with some Rock and Jazz on Audiophile Labels ] .

As stated in my Ads , I at least play grade the records by putting the stylus down a number of times on each record side [ some have been played in it's entirety] . This is little more time consuming , but I have very few returns or complaints .

I have a lot return customers because of the above . Also , I think that because I am an avid Audiophile I have more sensitivity to Grading .

Therefore , it is possible to find a Seller you can trust . I have found a number of them for when I buy Records to add to my collection .

I agree. Find a few sellers that are honest and stay with them.

I have bought quite a few audiophile LPs from Tubeo on E-Bay and they have been PERFECT! Also, some of the best packaging I've ever seen. Sellers like him, make record buying a pleasure.
Yes, it is possible to find good sellers. There are 2 that I use for classical and they give a description of where the LP came from, such as from an audiophile or, a one-pass record that was transferred to R to R. IOW, they know their clientele. The grading is accurate, but they sell for a premium price.
And like Elizabeth, on Ebay or Agon, I'll only buy from a seller with a return policy.

I miss the local shops that would play the record for you, but I have noticed a few small record shops opening within the last couple of years.
Just curious about this, but I've never seen a LP seller on Agon or Ebay that allows returns. Or, quite frankly, any seller of anything online at all. Everything is always "as-is." Even the one good bricks-and-mortar store anywhere near me (only 250 miles away; The Record Theater in Buffalo NY) doesn't allow returns on vinyl, new or used. Buy it and you own it.

Is there some secret online handshake I'm missing here or is it just a case of "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" when you get less-than-perfect vinyl?