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A guide to our Record Grading

If you have seen our 40,000+ Ebay feedbacks, you'll already know that we take grading of records very seriously. Generally 99% of buyers we have sold to have been happy with the condition of the record they bought. Recently it became apparent that compared to many sellers, we actually under grade our records.

This is very hard to adjust, but rest assured, if we grade anything EX, then it really is immaculate. Other sellers are now buying our records and relisting them with higher grades! Our VG+ is the same as many other seller's EX+.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Our grading is a mixture of audio and visual grading, and very importantly, we guarantee you will be happy with our records. If you disagree with our condition, simply return for a full refund.

How it works:
 
Example: EX/EX

The First EX refers to the record, the second the sleeve. This grade not only tells you the grade of the vinyl and sleeve, but also indicates that the sleeve is included.

Example: EX/-
 
The first EX refers to the record, there is no grade for the sleeve, meaning that the record comes with a plain or company sleeve.

Record Condition

MINT

As new condition, unplayed, often Sealed. We don't like using this grade on records unless we are certain they have never been played, ie, were purchased as brand new items, or the item is one of a multiple from a dealer sold them to us as unplayed. We never grade played records as MINT. We don't use the term EX+

EX 

Excellent condition, no noticeable marks and like new. Records graded as EX are immaculate, fantastic examples of the record in question. No marks, scratches, warps, damage of any kind. Often records which we grade as EX look as they have never been played - but we don't know for sure.

EX-

Close to Excellent condition, usually we use EX- if there are light brush marks visible under our spotlight. All EX- records are Excellent, no scratches, warps or damage of any kind.

VG+

This is a grade many buyers of perfect records avoid, but to us VG+ is the grade we give to a used but still very nice LP. This is the grade we get most correspondence from buyers about, most saying how to them this is an EX record, not VG+. There may be a very light, but more significant mark on a VG+ record (though this would normally be mentioned along with the grade), generally this is a used record in very good condition, with light brush marks.

VG 

Very Good condition, normal wear, maybe a few very light marks, but still plays great. Perhaps not as shiny and new looking as a VG+ record. This is our average grade.

VG-

Between VG and G, these records aren't in great condition, average amount of marks, but generally still fully playable. These records will have lost their shine, perhaps dulled with age, they will have been well used.

G+

Just about better than good. These records are heavily played, possibly badly marked. They are good enough to play,  but you may well later want to replace with a better copy for your collection.

G

This is our bottom grade. Could have heavy marks, be noisy to play, perhaps a more significant scratch. Heavily used, but playable is our general description of a G record. We try not to list anything with warps, if a record has a playable warp this would be mentioned along with the grade.  

F

Fair condition, marked and some problems. There will be more information to describe faults. We try to avoid listing F records unless particularly rare or interesting. Generally collection filler only. 

Sleeve Condition

EX

Excellent condition, no noticable folds or creases, no sticker marks, As New. Generally you will be incredibly impressed with a sleeve we grade as EX. No laminate damage, nice spine, no writing.

EX-

Close to Excellent condition, possibly a small fault like laminate lift, a word written on sleeve, slight edge fault or damage.

VG+


Very good condition, this is the kind of sleeve most other sellers would grade as EX. In great shape, but light and normal wear.

VG

Very good, used condition. Light and normal wear, possibly a small fault, like laminate lift, edge/spine damage, or writing.

VG-

Worn sleeve, but still usable. Possible wear to edges, spine, and laminate. Possible writing on the sleeve.

G+

Good condition is moving towards the more tatty end of sleeve grading. Possible laminate damage, creases, spine wear, graphiti, and edge wear.

G

Some wear, possible creasing, marks, damage, freyed edges.

F

In Fair condition, possible heavy creasing, tears, damage and defacement. We try to avoid F Sleeves, so check the full sleeve description.

If you require more information

After more than fifteen years of grading records either for this site, our London shop, or ebay, you get a feeling for the grade of a record, hopefully the description above helps to describe the grade of our records, but if you have any further questions on any particular aspect of the condition of any record on this site, we're happy to answer emails at retrobloke@aol.com
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