What to do with my old vinyl?

That's the question. I've got a few boxes of LP's, mostly circa mid-late 70's and early 80's. Vinyl is in good shape, unfortunately the covers not so much, at least for a lot of them. My cats used the spines for scratching posts.

Was thinking of just giving them to Goodwill, though I've been unable to confirm that they actually take them.

I see that Scotti's in Summit is a possibility. Anyone have any experience with them?

Sell them. Vinyl is back in fashion.

Sell them to whoooo? I want to get rid of the whole batch at one time, and I definitely don't want to ship them.

yahooyahoo said:

Sell them. Vinyl is back in fashion.

Heavier-grade vinyl and rarities, yes. I don’t think the kids are clamoring for flimsy mid-‘70s to ‘80s pressings, but it never hurts to inquire.

Call Scottie’s and ask if they will take them. 
There’s Iris records in Jersey city also, if you’re donating I’m sure they would take them off your hands.

DaveSchmidt said:

yahooyahoo said:

Sell them. Vinyl is back in fashion.

Heavier-grade vinyl and rarities, yes. I don’t think the kids are clamoring for flimsy mid-‘70s to ‘80s pressings, but it never hurts to inquire.

Oh poop. 

(I thought long and hard about this post, and this pretty much is the best I can respond.)

drummerboy said:

Oh poop. 

(I thought long and hard about this post, and this pretty much is the best I can respond.)

David would make anyone feel constipated….

Put them up on Facebook marketplace.

If you've got kids who've grown up listening to your collection, maybe they'll appreciate 'em! Buy 'em a phonograph (Less than $100) to play 'em on, and stand back. That's what I did...

-s

Putting on a record to listen to music is way too much work for my son. Anyway, he's the one urging me to get rid of them.

Messaged you earlier this week

My husband and I went to The Latchis Hotel in Brattleboro, VT last month. Each room had a record player, and they had a lending library of albums. It was so cool. Not the best fidelity but really fun!

Maplewood is having a Record Fair at the Woodland on November 13th from 10-4.   Bring them and show the vendors what you have.

drummerboy said:

I see that Scotti's in Summit is a possibility. Anyone have any experience with them?

Gary Scotti is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Sterling reputation as a business owner, too. However, I’m guessing the condition of the album covers will be detrimental to the value/price…

Heynj said:

drummerboy said:

I see that Scotti's in Summit is a possibility. Anyone have any experience with them?

Gary Scotti is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Sterling reputation as a business owner, too. However, I’m guessing the condition of the album covers will be detrimental to the value/price…

Yeah. Cover condition is inconsistent  - a bunch are in very decent shape, a bunch have moisture damage. Luckily they seem to be segregated by box. Will have to see.

Glad you started this thread. I've been playing old vinyl, trying to decide what I'm willing to part with. I even have 45s, some from my older cousins and some of the LPs are from my parent's collection.

Actually have an old Patti Page Christmas album, with a song, I want to go skating with Willy, cause Willy is such a good skate. There was a chorus with a whistle which got my parakeet to sing along.

If you check online, there are sites with albums for sale and you can get a good idea on individual value. I've got some Beatles and Stones which appear to command a good price. So before you sell, even in bulk, see if you have some gems in there.

Morganna said:

Glad you started this thread. I've been playing old vinyl, trying to decide what I'm willing to part with. I even have 45s, some from my older cousins and some of the LPs are from my parent's collection.

Actually have an old Patti Page Christmas album, with a song, I want to go skating with Willy, cause Willy is such a good skate. There was a chorus with a whistle which got my parakeet to sing along.

If you check online, there are sites with albums for sale and you can get a good idea on individual value. I've got some Beatles and Stones which appear to command a good price. So before you sell, even in bulk, see if you have some gems in there.

I think DB just wants to unload it all in one shot, as he’s not too excited about selling and having to ship them. He’s moving to Ohio soon. 
I have my own selection of records I don’t know how I will part with. My musical taste is somewhat similar to DB’s . It’s hard getting rid of them, after all they’re the soundtrack of your life…

Jaytee said:

Morganna said:

Glad you started this thread. I've been playing old vinyl, trying to decide what I'm willing to part with. I even have 45s, some from my older cousins and some of the LPs are from my parent's collection.

Actually have an old Patti Page Christmas album, with a song, I want to go skating with Willy, cause Willy is such a good skate. There was a chorus with a whistle which got my parakeet to sing along.

If you check online, there are sites with albums for sale and you can get a good idea on individual value. I've got some Beatles and Stones which appear to command a good price. So before you sell, even in bulk, see if you have some gems in there.

I think DB just wants to unload it all in one shot, as he’s not too excited about selling and having to ship them. He’s moving to Ohio soon. 
I have my own selection of records I don’t know how I will part with. My musical taste is somewhat similar to DB’s . It’s hard getting rid of them, after all they’re the soundtrack of your life…

Yeah, that's exactly right. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I was planning on keeping them and taking them with me. My son talked some sense into me, but now I don't have time for anything except to get rid of them in one fell swoop.

There's an email for the company sponsoring the record fair on 11/13.  Maybe contact them?

https://allevents.in/maplewood/maplewood-record-fair/200023302517350

Elle_Cee said:

There's an email for the company sponsoring the record fair on 11/13.  Maybe contact them?

https://allevents.in/maplewood/maplewood-record-fair/200023302517350

Oh, thanks. That's useful. I was wondering how to get in contact with them.

I asked my college-age nephew if "kids these days" are interested in Boomer vinyl. He said yes, a lot of his friends are enthusiastic collectors. But I don't know how to reach that age group. I can't imagine they spend any time on the usual Facebook pages for free stuff. 

Jaytee said:

I think DB just wants to unload it all in one shot, as he’s not too excited about selling and having to ship them. He’s moving to Ohio soon. 
I have my own selection of records I don’t know how I will part with. My musical taste is somewhat similar to DB’s . It’s hard getting rid of them, after all they’re the soundtrack of your life…

I know he wants to do it quickly, just thought if there are a few pricey ones and someone makes an offer for the lot, it gives him a base price.

Most of my 80s are CDs and I have an old Kia which has a CD player. When I recently started car shopping I was disappointed that the later models don't have them so still driving my old 2005 and listening to my Rock Anthems CD, Gonna have to face it your addicted to love.

My son (33) even had a turntable in his treehouse (which he just moved out of) on property that ran solely on solar power.  But I think his taste in music is solidly early Millennial.  (Guess you don't hear the scratches as much when there's only screeching going on.) And most of his collection came right of the original plastic wrap.  He loves his vinyl!

DB, why don't you make a list and post. Someone local might make you an offer for the lot. Even a partial list of your favorites.

@The_Soulful_Mr_T Know anybody?

Morganna said:

DB, why don't you make a list and post. Someone local might make you an offer for the lot. Even a partial list of your favorites.

@The_Soulful_Mr_T Know anybody?

Make a list? That would take me all day. It's mostly prog-rock, jazz fusion, classical and minimalism. I haven't actually gone through them in years, but I guess I should.

drummerboy said:

Make a list? That would take me all day. It's mostly prog-rock, jazz fusion, classical and minimalism. I haven't actually gone through them in years, but I guess I should.

I tackled it a little at a time because I was trying to fundraise for my cat rescue. It failed miserably.

Intrigued with jazz fusion. Not versed at all in jazz but would that be Stanley Clark or Ronnie Laws, classified as crossover?

Minimalism, new term for me. Thinking maybe Philip Glass?

Wow us, grab a random handful, I'm thinking keep them. You may find friends in Ohio who share your musical taste.

I culled about 30 LPs from my shelf to make room for albums I picked up at the semiannual vinyl fair at the Woodland* a couple of weekends ago. My first stop was Scotti’s, which I had never visited before. My second stop was Vinyl Addiction Records in North Arlington, also as a first-timer. I highly recommend Vinyl Addiction.

For some context: My LPs were mostly ’60s, ’70s and ’80s rock, pop and alternative, plus four Real Folk Blues reissues from Chess and a few random, nothing-special jazz albums. The most desirable titles that I took to Scotti’s last week were Sonic Youth (Goo), the Replacements (Pleased to Meet Me), the Cure (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me), Pere Ubu (The Tenement Year) and R.E.M. (Green), all in excellent condition. Their median total price on Discogs is about $400. The rest, combined, about $350.

Gary at Scotti’s picked out those five, the Real Folk Blues and four other records. His offer: $25. I said no thanks. He asked me what price I had in mind. It didn’t matter, because $25 told me where he was coming from and I was no longer interested in selling to him, but I answered his question and said $60. Gary replied that he couldn’t go above $40, which confirmed that $25 was a lowball offer. It’s his business, and that’s his prerogative.

Today I took the albums — plus the late addition of the Sundays (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic), a $75 median price on Discogs — to Vinyl Addiction. The two proprietors offered to buy the entire lot for $225 cash or $250 in store credit. I was more than happy to accept the credit, and their enthusiasm for some of the music added to the pleasure; one guy said the two of them would probably fight over the R.E.M. and the Sundays for themselves.

To top it off: I made a dent in the credit by grabbing $200 worth of albums from their bins and then, unsolicited, they gave me the $50 balance in cash. It was a great experience.

* The Woodland record fair is a tremendous addition to our local events. I can’t wait until the next one in June.

I should add, if anyone is thinking of making the 20-minute drive up there, that Vinyl Addiction’s collection leans toward metal and punk, but there was plenty enough rock, pop and alternative to meet my interests. And the funk and soul bins yielded me an early Fela Africa 70 record and the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway duet album.

There’s a vinyl shop coming to the stores on ridgewood road - I think it should be open pretty soon.