recordgoround web store FAQ section

I don't include grading in the description of most records, and here's why. Grading scares the heck out of me. I don't PLAY all these records. I visually inspect everything I offer for sale, and I ONLY list records that near as I can tell at LEAST meet the Goldmine record grading standard of VG+. If you don't know what that means, it says this "VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that don’t affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, so long as repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable." I may on occasion list a record I feel is below this standard, in which case I will mention in the description that it doesn't measure up to the VG+ minimum standard for records I list. Note that the next grade down "VG" would include records where you can feel a scratch with your fingernail (according to goldmine). Again, it is RARE that I will list a record that is VG or below (again, going by the Goldmine standard) but occasionally something rare, or odd enough might warrant listing even in lesser condition, and I will mention this in the description. You can feel safe that any record you purchase will be at least VG+ unless told otherwise. Remember they are VISUALLY graded. I will also from time to time be listing records that are unplayed new from old store stock, and this will be mentioned, and I might even mention it if I feel a record is particularly spiffy. Put it this way -- I hate grading, it makes me nervous, and I prefer to err on the side of being conservative. So count on VG+ based on the description above, unless it says otherwise!

I'm keeping it as simple as I can. Shipping for any 1 or 2 45's is $2. For 3-4 45's it's $3, and for 5 or more it's $4. Anything beyond that I'll let you know. This is FIRST CLASS SHIPPING, NOT ultra slow media mail. For one or two records the price is virtually the same anyway. If you buy a bunch of records and want media mail, we can work that out if you really need to. Also, if you prefer priority, I'm glad to do that at added cost of course. This does NOT include delivery confirmation or insurance -- if ya want it let me know and I'll add it on accordingly. I'm trying to keep the enjoyment of records affordable. NOTE: I do not use record mailers. Please do not expect fancy Bags Unlimited mailing boxes. They're nice and all, but they add 15-20% to the cost of shipping. I use folded cardboard, generally recycled. I have sold thousands of records mail order since 1978 and have never used mailers, and have never had a customer receive a broken record. NEVER. I'm more than happy to send your 45's overseas, too. Generally I can get a 45 to darn near anywhere in the world for about $4-5 first class airmail. Drop me a note if you need shipping quotes overseas.

More and more 78's will appear in the store. Hard to store, hard to sort, hard to mail. But still necessary! Note that shipping on 78's will ONLY be via priority mail, and will ALWAYS be wrapped in bubble wrap and DOUBLE BOXED. This is a necessary evil, as they are very fragile (you probably know that) and quite heavy. So I really want them to arrive intact.

In the case of 45's, whenever possible, I will include the original sleeve for the 45. An RCA record in the proper paper sleeve, Decca, Capitol, etc. Even some of the more rare ones turn up from time to time, Top Rank, Atlantic, Brunswick, etc. If I've got 'em, you'll get your record in an original sleeve, no extra cost! Whoohooo!

I scan the records, labels only, so you can see what you're getting. Please take note that often the image from the scanner does not look nearly as nice as the label in real life. This happens especially when the label is shiny. It's really there to give you a quick visual of the record you're getting. All images are of the actual record you will receive. If there's writing on one side, I'll scan the side with the writing so you can see what's up. If the image looks a little weird, or off color, it's usually the scanner. I don't include a picture of the entire record because it makes the label too small to read, and all the records look like shiny black circles and you can't judge condition from that at all, so why look at all that black!