We consider certain things to be collector’s items, and holding on to them can be very lucrative in the long run. At one point, it looked like vinyl records had peaked in popularity and were on the descent – leaving many people wondering what to do with their old record collections.
As a whole, holding on to vinyl records can make you a significant profit in the long term. Many records from previous decades sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars, with in-demand ones selling even higher. How much a vinyl is worth depends on its rarity and condition.
Vinyl collecting has always been a popular pastime for many music fans. Still, the recent spike in the popularity of records has introduced a new generation to the joys of amassing a selection of singles and LPs.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth holding on to some of your vinyl records, you’ll find all of the answers you need below in our detailed guide.
Are Vinyl Records Worth Saving?
Collecting vinyl records is a popular pastime for many people. Some are avid music fans who like to own all of the LPs and singles their favorite artists release, while others may hold on to their records to sell them for a profit later.
Many vinyl records are worth saving, as there is a solid chance they will gain value after several years or decades. However, this is not the case with all vinyl records – only those in demand.
You might be wondering, what makes a vinyl record in demand? There are two potential answers to that question:
- It is a limited edition/rare vinyl record
- The record is old but in excellent condition
If you own any records that fall into one of these categories, you should either keep hold of them or get them valued to see whether you’d be tempted to sell them.
On the other hand, records not in demand aren’t worth keeping unless you enjoy listening to them.
Vinyl records have gone up in value significantly in recent years. I wrote an article exploring the reasons vinyl is so expensive, which you might find interesting.
A single from decades ago by an artist that doesn’t have a huge fanbase is probably not worth hanging onto, as its value is doubtful to go up in the future.
If you’re lucky enough to find an original pressing of a record, these will be worth significantly more than any other version.
People are willing to pay a lot to acquire the first pressings of their favorite albums and singles, especially if it’s by a well-known artist.
Are Old Vinyl Records Worth Anything?
Old vinyl records that are scratched, worn-out, or degraded are unlikely to be worth anything. If the record plays fine on your record player and is in pretty good cosmetic condition, it will be worth some money.
The older the record, the more likely it is to be in bad condition. This can work in your favor if you own records from many decades ago that still play fine without skipping because fewer of those exact vinyl records will be available for collectors.
If the records in question are relatively well known, in good condition, and from the ’50s, ’60s, or ’70s, you might be in for a pleasant surprise when you discover their value.
Many vinyl record collectors are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for old records that are in pristine condition.
Even if your old record collection consists of less well-known albums and singles that aren’t in the best condition but are still playable, you can earn money by selling them as a job lot, which means setting a price for your whole collection or allowing people to bid for it.
It’s worth reviewing your old records, removing them from the sleeves, and analyzing their condition. It’s usually relatively easy to spot a scratch or a worn-out groove on a record.
You can then test the records on your record player one by one to see whether they are still playable. If they are, you should be able to sell them for at least a small fee, or in the best-case scenario, you might be surprised by how much your old vinyl records are worth!
How Can I Sell My Old Vinyl Records?
There are many ways that you can cash in on your old vinyl records. You can take advantage of the internet, or you can go old-school and sell your records physically.
The old methods are often still the best when it comes to selling vinyl records.
This videos provides some useful information on selling your old records.
Find your local record store, and go have a chat with the people that work there to see whether they would be interesting in pricing up the records that you would like to sell.
If you have another record store nearby, it’s always good get more than one offer for your records to maximize profits and make sure you’re not getting ripped off.
Most record stores are run by honest people who will offer you a good price for your records, but it’s still worth getting a second opinion to make sure you’re not selling a rare first pressing without realizing!
Alternatively, you could use an online platform to sell your records. eBay is probably the best known option, and there are thousands of vinyl records sold on that platform every day, with many collectors searching for new records.
In recent years, a platform called Discogs has become a favorite amongst vinyl buyers and sellers. The advantage that this platform has over eBay is that it’s mainly for true fanatics of records and music, and is specifically geared towards the vinyl community.
Facebook Marketplace can also be a good places to list your vinyl records, but you’ll probably do best on this platform if you’re selling a large quantity at once rather than hoping to find a buyer of individual records.
Related Questions
Are vinyl records worth investing in?
Vinyl records are certainly worth investing in. Providing they’re kept in good condition, records are almost guaranteed to make you profit in the long term, and some can even make you thousands of dollars in just a few years.
How do I find out what my vinyl records are worth?
To find out how much your vinyl records are worth, there are several methods you can use. Firstly, you can check how much the records are selling for online, and try to figure out an average price across the various platforms. Or, you can take the records to a reputable record store and ask them to value them for you.
Is there still a vinyl shortage?
In recent years, there has been a backlog of vinyl record orders due to the pressing plants struggling to keep up with a spike in orders during 2020 and 2021. This has led to many within the industry calling for record labels to invest more into vinyl pressing plants.