You’ve finally decided to clear out the attic, or maybe you’ve inherited a stack of wax that’s doing nothing but collecting dust and taking up square footage. You’re looking at those glossy covers and wondering if you’re sitting on a goldmine or a pile of plastic. Selling vinyl isn't just about finding a buyer; it's about not getting fleeced.
Honestly, the "best" place to sell your records depends entirely on how much work you’re willing to do. Do you want to spend three months cataloging every matrix number, or do you want the stuff gone by Saturday?
The market in 2026 is weird. Vinyl sales are still climbing—projected to hit over $1.7 billion this year—but the "common" stuff is getting harder to move. Collectors are getting pickier. If you have a beat-up copy of Rumours, join the club. But if you have an unplayed 1990s original pressing of a grunge classic? That’s your vacation fund.
The Local Record Store: Speed Over Spread
If you have a few hundred albums and zero patience, your local brick-and-mortar is the way to go. Shops like Amoeba Music in LA or Randy’s Records in Salt Lake City are legendary for a reason. They have the cash and the expertise to handle bulk.
But here’s the kicker: they aren't going to give you retail price. They have rent to pay. Typically, a shop will offer you 30% to 50% of what they think they can sell the record for. If they plan to stick a $20 tag on it, expect $7 to $10 in cash.
Some shops offer a "store credit" bonus. If you’re a fellow addict looking to swap your classic rock for some obscure jazz, you might get 20% more value by taking the credit. Just don't walk in on a Saturday afternoon when they’re slammed and expect them to grade your 500-LP collection on the spot. Call ahead. Ask for the buyer.
Discogs: The Gold Standard for Modern Collectors
If you haven't heard of Discogs, you aren't really in the game yet. It’s essentially the Wikipedia of music, but with a massive marketplace attached.
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For high-value items—anything worth more than $30—selling here usually nets you the most profit. Why? Because the person looking for your specific 1967 mono pressing of Sgt. Pepper isn't wandering into your local shop; they’re searching Discogs from a flat in Berlin.
The downside is the "picky factor." Discogs buyers are notoriously intense about condition. If you call a record "Near Mint" and there’s a microscopic hairline scratch, you’re going to hear about it. You’ll also be doing all the heavy lifting:
- Identifying the exact pressing (check the numbers etched into the "dead wax" near the label).
- Buying specialized mailers (don't you dare use a pizza box).
- Managing international shipping and VAT.
It’s a lot of work. But for rare gems, it’s where the money is.
eBay and the Power of the "Lot"
eBay is sort of the wild west. It’s better than Discogs for selling "lots"—groups of 10 to 50 records in the same genre. Maybe you have a bunch of 80s hair metal that isn't worth selling individually. Bundle them.
The auction format can also work in your favor if you have a "mega-rarity." When two collectors start a bidding war over a misprinted label, the price can skyrocket past the Discogs median. Just keep an eye on the fees. Between eBay’s cut and the payment processing, you’re looking at roughly 13% off the top.
Social Media: The "No-Fee" Dream
Facebook Marketplace and Instagram have become surprisingly legit places to move vinyl. The biggest perk? No fees. You keep every cent.
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On Marketplace, you’re dealing with locals. No shipping, just a meetup at a Starbucks. It’s great for mid-tier stuff. However, be prepared for "lowballers." You’ll list a nice collection for $200 and someone will offer you $40 and a used lawnmower. It’s just part of the experience.
Instagram is different. If you have a "cool" aesthetic and some followers, "Claim Sales" in Stories are huge right now. You post a photo, the first person to comment "Sold" gets it, and they pay via Venmo or PayPal. It’s fast and community-driven.
Specialized Buyers: The House Call
If you have a massive collection—we’re talking 1,000+ LPs—you probably shouldn't be hauling them anywhere. Companies like DJ Records USA or Want List Records actually travel to you.
They’ll come to your house, flip through the crates, and make an on-the-spot offer for the whole lot. This is the ultimate "low stress" option. They bring their own boxes, they do the lifting, and you get a check.
You’ll get less per record than if you sold them one by one over three years on the internet, but your Saturday afternoon remains yours. For many people, the "clutter tax" is worth the lower payout.
The "Condition" Trap: Why Your Records Might Be Worth $0
This is the hard truth most people hate to hear: condition is everything. A record in "Good" condition is actually pretty bad. In the world of the Goldmine Grading Standard, "Good" means it might skip, hiss, and pop like a bowl of Rice Krispies.
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Most collectors won't touch anything below "Very Good Plus" (VG+).
- Near Mint (NM): Looks like it was just unsealed.
- VG+: Maybe a faint scuff, but it sounds perfect.
- VG: Noticeable light scratches and some surface noise, but still a decent listen.
- G/P: Trash it or give it to a craft project unless it’s a 1950s Elvis sun record.
If your records were stored in a damp basement without sleeves, they likely have mold or "foxing" on the covers. That’s a dealbreaker for 90% of buyers.
Making the Sale: A Tactical Checklist
Before you post a single listing or drive to a shop, do these three things to ensure you don't get ripped off:
- Check the "Sold" Listings: Don't look at what people are asking for a record on eBay; look at what has actually sold. Go to eBay, hit "Advanced," and check the "Sold Items" box. That’s your real market value.
- Clean Them (Carefully): A little bit of distilled water and a microfiber cloth can turn a $5 "dirty" record into a $15 "clean" one. Just don't get the label wet.
- Identify the Pressing: A 1973 pressing of The Dark Side of the Moon is worth way more than a 2015 reissue. Look for the catalog number on the spine and the "runout" etchings in the vinyl itself.
Start by pulling out the "big" names—The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and anything on a "Prestige" or "Blue Note" jazz label. Those are your anchors. Everything else is the "filler" that you can sell in bulk once you've secured the bag on the heavy hitters.
Go through your stack tonight. Separate the "museum pieces" from the "thrift store fodder." If you find a first-state "Butcher Cover" of Yesterday and Today, stop reading this and call an auction house. For everything else, pick your platform based on how much your time is worth.