I have been a collector of vinyl records for many years and I know that a correct grading is just about the most important aspect in the world of the vinyl manic. I believe my grading to be straight, honest and fair - over twenty years of mail-order business have proved me right and I have rarely had any items returned because of an incorrect grading... This happens maybe once a year if at all.

Please read my explanations below - if you are in doubt about anything: please ask... I'm more than happy to answer all your questions!

All items I sell carry a full guarantee - if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, then do not hesitate to let me know right away! If I have made a mistake I will solve the problem without any hassle.

Important :

• Sleeves are graded first, then the vinyl.
  
• All items are original issues, unless otherwise stated
  
• All items will have their original sleeves, unless noted.
  

My grading-system is a mix of several established ones (Record-Collector, Goldmine etc.), which I have modified for my purposes. It has been working quite well for two decades and is easily understandable.

The most important difference to other dealers is that I do not use a MINT grade for any used / older stuff. I believe that MINT is a very difficult category since it supposes that an item is 100% PERFECT in every aspect.
However, this heavily depends on your personal view, your hifi system, the quality of the pressing and several other facts. I have bought thousands of so-called MINT records myself in the past and a hell of a lot of them simply didn't fit in this category! It's the most mis-used term in the whole scene... Dealers often use MINT as long as the item is not completely trashed!!!

GRADING FOR SLEEVE/RECORD:

NM
NEAR MINT: This grade is ONLY used for factory-new items, which I have purchased wholesale. These are unplayed copies!

EX
EXCELLENT: This is the best grade I am willing to give for a record that is not a brand-new item right out of the factory! I do not use a MINT grade - so even old unplayed copies get an EX grading. An EX item simply has no faults, no defects... There's nothing to talk about - the item is great! Most of my EX items would appear in other dealers' lists as MINT or NEAR MINT.

VG++
Vinyl and sleeve are in used, but very nice condition, without any major defects. The vinyl is without scratches and the sleeve has only slight wear, but no creases/stains etc.! A cool keeper copy for everybody who is not a fanatical MINT-Only collector.

VG+(+)
A small step below VG++... some small visible scratches and some more small wear & creases on the sleeve.

VG+
A VG+ record shows that it has been played several times, but still is in good condition. Surface noise will appear, but not too strong - playing this disc is still fully enjoyable. Sleeve will have some creases/wear, but these will not really disturb the general impression of the cover.

VG(+)
A small step below VG+: Groove wear, surface-noise, cover-creases etc. will be more pronounced. This record has been played a lot before! Still, this does not mean it's trashed and it will satisfy most buyers!

VG
Surface noise will be quite evident upon playing. Sleeves show significant signs of wear, some seam split, stronger creases, ring-wear etc.! Items in VG condition are definitely priced accordingly well below their EX/EX value and you will have to decide for yourself whether you want to keep on searching for a better copy! Still, many of these may play nicely - especially if you do not use a high-end mega-bucks turntable system.

VG-
Here it starts that vinyl and sleeve are clearly below standard. Look and sound will probably fail to offer full satisfaction. 95% of all VG- items will appear in my 'cheapos' section, unless it's a very rare item - but even then the price will be low!

G
Only used in the 'cheapos' section and actually only recommended to jukebox-owners or to stick them in your portable turntable to take it along when visiting the local swimming pool in summer!
The best thing I can say about these is that they will not jump or skip!

NO
SLEEVE: This means that there is no special cover coming with this item and it will be sold in a plain white sleeve! The original sleeve is either missing or (maybe... but I do not know this for sure) it never had one!

VINYL: This means that I only offer the picture-sleeve - there's no vinyl to be sold! Normally this only appears in my '50s / Rock'n'Roll' and '60s / 70s' sections - it is quite common for Beat / Rock'n'Roll collectors that empty picture-sleeves are obtained to complete their collection or replace worn-out ones.

NRS
This means Not-Released-With-Sleeve! This item has only been issued in a plain / neutral sleeve and never came with a picture-sleeve. I do only use this if I am 99% sure that this is really true!

CS
COMPANY-SLEEVE / LABEL-SLEEVE. Please note that I do not actually grade the condition of Company-Sleeves, but they will be in at least VG+ condition... Mostly better!

GRADING OF CDs :
Well, Compact Discs are pretty easy to handle... they simply either play perfectly throughout or they don't play at all and skip!
Consequently, the grading for a CD can only be visually! CDs that do not look perfect will be tested. If it jumps - I throw it away!

CD-Booklets/Backsleeves or Card- / Digipack-Sleeves are graded like Record-Sleeves.

Please note that the plastic / jewel cases do not get a grading - these are cheaply & easily replaceable. But don't worry...I won't sell you trashed or cracked ones!

FURTHER INFORMATION:
I usually do not grade or comment on the condition of the record-label, but any major defects will be stated.

Please note that I do grade most items visually!
Due to the amount of stock, it's impossible to listen to all of them! Any item that is doubtful will be played to find the correct grade for it!

All record collectors will know that many items (esp. from the 50s and 60s) often do not look that fantastic any more, but play much better, due the strength of the quality of vinyl & pressing! On the other hand, vinyl from the last 30 years may look perfect, but sometimes has a lot of surface-noise, because of the low quality vinyl! Of course, I only grade the condition of the plastic - not the quality of pressing.