Conditions and Grading

Grading System explained

As a UK based company, we use the globally recognised “Record Collector” (UK) magazine grading code/abbreviations, details of which are below. It is broadly similar in essence to the "Goldmine" US magazine grading system with one major abbreviation difference - a UK Record Collector graded "EX" item is the equivalent of a US Goldmine graded "VG+" item.
With over 35 years experience evaluating hundreds of thousands of rare and collectable items, we are confident that our gradings are accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Independent customer feedback gained through marketplace sites we sell through confirms outstanding levels of customer satisfaction, with a great many more than happy that their items arrived in “better condition than graded”.
As grading is subjective and open to a certain degree of interpretation, we prefer to under-grade items so as to avoid disappointment – we do not deliberately attempt to inflate grades to gain additional sales – our attempts at accuracy are genuine. All items are inspected visually under a strong halogen light, which is completely unforgiving –. Unfortunately (fortunately !?), as you may appreciate, we do not have the time or resources to listen to/view each individual item although certain items showing potential flaws may be tested, with any relevant remarks added to it’s description. Where appropriate, we will mention any significant negative points such as defacing, water damage, sticker removal tears, original record centre pushed out etc., however we do not detail each and every minor flaw, instead offering a general appraisal overall within the essence of the grading definitions as below.
Items are graded by the cover/outer packaging first, followed by the media contained (in their respective order of play). Those without a picture/company/generic cover are signified by a dash first e.g. (-/ex) = plain cover, media in “excellent” condition. Any items listed without a specific grading are by default “excellent” condition or better.
When placing an order, please be assured that the items are once again double-checked before payment is requested. Any discrepancies will be advised accordingly. All gradings are guaranteed. Please also be aware that even brand new and unplayed vinyl may have slight surface noise, static etc. … that's their nature. Also, picture disc sound quality is inherently inferior to that of standard vinyl.
Please note that we apply the spirit of this to non-recorded music items such as magazines, posters, t-shirts etc. for the purposes of simplicity and uniformity.
MINT
(m): The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
EXCELLENT
(ex): The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.
VERY GOOD
(vg): The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
GOOD
(g): The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.
FAIR
(f): The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump.
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.
POOR
(p): The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
BAD
(b): The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler."
As well as the above standard grades, we use;
SEALED
The item is still in it’s original seal from new and will be unplayed
NEAR MINT
(nm) : The item is very close to mint but shows negligible flaws - we will often default an item that appears to be in “mint” condition to this grading
POSITIVE SIGN
(+) : This is added to gradings where we feel that the item is borderline to a superior grading e.g. a “near mint” condition sleeve with a dink on the corner may be viewed as 95% “near mint” and 5% “very good”, which although not worthy of an “excellent” grading would justify a “very good+” one.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Record Collector's Grading System

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
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EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.
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VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
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GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.
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FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.
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POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
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BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
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CDs & CASSETTES: As a general rule, CDs and cassettes either play perfectly - in which case they are in Mint condition - or they don't, in which case their value is minimal. Cassette tape is liable to deteriorate with age, even if it remains unplayed, so care should be taken when buying old tapes. CDs are difficult to grade visually: they can look perfect but actually be faulty, while in other cases they may appear damaged but still play perfectly. Cassette and CD inlays and booklets should be graded in the same way as record covers and sleeves. In general, the plastic containers for cassettes and CDs can easily be replaced if they are broken or scratched, but card covers and digipaks are subject to the same wear as record sleeves

Payment Methods Accepted

PayPal, Credit Card By Phone, Cash (UK GBP), Cash (US Dollars), Cash (Euros), Personal Check (UK GBP), Postal Money Order (UK GBP), Bank Transfer (UK GBP)

Shipping Costs UNUSUAL WEIGHT / DIMENSIONS / EXTRA PACKAGING - we will contact you with cost first UK (Standard (2nd) Class) - CD / 7" / tape = 2 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (Standard (2nd) Class) - LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 4.50 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (Standard (2nd) Class - SIGNED FOR) - CD / 7" / tape = 3 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (Standard (2nd) Class - SIGNED FOR) - LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 5.50 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (1st Class) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 2.50 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (1st Class) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 5 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (1st Class - SIGNED FOR) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 3 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. UK (1st Class - SIGNED FOR) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 6 GBP flat rate, no matter how many ordered up to 10 Kg (using courier) parcel weight. EUROPE (AIR MAIL) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 5 GBP - each after 0.50 GBP EUROPE (AIR MAIL) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 9.50 GBP - each after 1.25 GBP EUROPE (AIR MAIL - SIGNED FOR / TRACKED) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 9 GBP - each after 0.50 GBP EUROPE (AIR MAIL - SIGNED FOR / TRACKED) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 13.50 GBP - each after 1.25 GBP REST OF THE WORLD (AIR MAIL) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 6.50 GBP - each after 1 GBP REST OF THE WORLD (AIR MAIL) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 15 GBP - each after 2.50 GBP REST OF THE WORLD (AIR MAIL - SIGNED FOR / TRACKED) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 10.50 GBP - each after 1 GBP REST OF THE WORLD (AIR MAIL - SIGNED FOR / TRACKED) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 19 GBP - each after 2.50 GBP SURFACE MAIL (TAKES 4-12 WEEKS / UNINSURED) - 1st CD / 7" / tape = 6 GBP - each after 0.50 GBP SURFACE MAIL (TAKES 4-12 WEEKS / UNINSURED) - 1st LP / 12" / 10" / shaped picture disc / video / t-shirt / display flat (1-10) / poster / auto'd photo / small book = 10 GBP - each after 1.50 GBP

Return Policy

All items are guaranteed to your satisfaction and to the
description we have given.If you are unhappy with any aspect of
our service please contact us and we will resolve it
immediately.All faulty items (plus postage costs) will be fully refunded
An order may be returned for any reason whatsoever within a period of 28 days from receipt
provided the item(s) are in the same state as received (e.g. if sealed, seal must be intact)
although original and return postage costs will not be refunded - only the actual item(s)
paid for.

Seller Information

All items are subject to availability.
All items are guaranteed to your satisfaction and to the description we have given. If you were to be unhappy with any aspect of our service please contact us and we will resolve it immediately. All faulty items (plus postage costs if return is necessary) will be fully refunded or credited if preferred.
An order may be returned for any reason whatsoever within a period of 28 days from receipt provided the item(s) are in the same state as received (e.g. if sealed, seal must be intact) although original and return postage costs will not be refunded - only the actual item(s) paid for.
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Important notes prior to / after placing an order;
On receipt of full and complete payment, orders aim to be despatched on the same/next working day for the UK and within 5 (usually 1-3) working days for non-UK destinations barring unusual/exceptional circumstances such as postal strikes etc.
Delivery times for standard, non-signed for service mail (which is the cheapest available to you) is completely in the hands of the postal services and cannot be influenced after posting. Delays, although unusual, may be caused by random security examination hold-ups by customs, mis-direction, general inefficiency along the way, adverse weather conditions or any other unknown circumstance(s).
The overwhelming majority of parcels arrive within the lower time frames given but please only place an order if you are happy to accept the outside possibility that it make take up to the upper time limit to arrive. Only parcels taking longer than these limits are considered undelivered by Royal Mail and potentially refundable from that point onwards.
For non-UK parcels: If prioritised signed for/tracked/insured service is required Royal Mail offer "International Signed", "International Tracked" or "International Tracked & Signed" services (availability of particular service varies from country to country but all countries offer at least one) - please select at time of ordering.
If time definite delivery is required i.e. you are not prepared to accept the possibility of your order taking up to the potential maximum delivery time limit, please ask for courier service/express delivery quote (please be aware that it starts at a minimum of 15 GBP for any size parcel).
Unusually weighty/large dimension parcels or those of higher value (30 GBP plus)/high risk may possibly require a fixed custom-priced quote or an additional cost to insure/track - we will always inform you of the exact postage costs for your approval or rejection before payment is made.
The "Small Packet" weight limit is 2 Kg for a parcel sent from the UK - in some circumstances it may work out cheaper to send heavier orders in multiple parcels but almost invariably, courier service providers (e.g. Fedex, DPD, UPS, TNT or Parcelforce) offer a speedier, insured, tracked and signed for service at a lower price, especially for parcels over 3 Kg - we will always try to find the optimum value service overall for your order.
Please also note;
Postage is dependent on weight, so for example, a triple LP counts as 3 x LPs for p&p purposes.
Box sets are generally much heavier than the their components so will usually require custom postage pricing. We will let you know the exact cost, after which you may decide if you wish to proceed or not.
Adding more items to your order will lower the average cost of postage per item.
Goods sent from the UK to countries outside of the UK, including the EU (since 2021) legally require a customs declaration for their value/contents. Please bear in mind that the customs department in the destination country may levy a tax plus administration fee for goods over a certain value before releasing them - any fees levied are entirely the customer's responsibility, we are not liable. It is strongly advised to check limits, rules, potential taxes etc. before placing an order.