Buy Vinyl Records
Online Vinyl Record Sales – A New Business Model
The Music industry is an ever changing business entity. Slowly, CDs are disappearing as the format of choice and the sales leader of retail music. However, there is an old and friendly favorite emerging for millions of music lovers and competing for that almighty music dollar.
Vinyl Records are back, as the youth of today are finding the listening experience is greatly enriched when utilizing this historic music medium. In fact, the resurgent vinyl record market shows no signs of a slowdown. Nielsen SoundScan has released estimated figures that indicate that sales of vinyl in the US are up 50% through the first five months of 2009. The counting giant also predicts that vinyl record sales will reach over 2.7 million units sold in 2009; up from 1.9 million units in 2008.
To be fair, these numbers are somewhat underestimated because of the sale of used vinyl in our ever shrinking record stores. Additionally, they don’t count some of the independent record stores where vinyl sells the best. However, there is a new vinyl model emerging, places where millions do their ‘vinyl shopping,’ the online record store. Although shopping online can never replace the experience of visiting your local record store, vinyl consumers can visit hundreds of online record sellers and find records that may not be offered at their local store, such as rare imports, picture discs, boxed sets or obscure releases from other countries. There are websites that cater to strictly jazz, some that offer classic rock or psychedelic music, rap or R&B, and some that deal with 45rpm records; why they still sell 78 rpm records for those who are in need of this rustic medium. There are some that specialize in audiophile vinyl, rare and out-of-print records as well. But most online vinyl retailers offer an eclectic array of music to choose from and millions of music lovers are now satisfying their musical palette and finding the online record website to suit their needs.
Let’s explore this phenomenon in greater detail with the owner of www.recordsontheweb.com, Laura Miller, who started in the music business as a DJ at KVMR, a community Radio Station in Nevada City, California; so she has a keen understanding and love for the format.
“I felt compelled to open a record store and as a vinyl enthusiast wanted to help people find reasonable vinyl records at a reasonable price,” explained Laura.
She started in the business of selling vinyl records in 1988 near Sacramento, California, running a retail store named “In The Groove Records.” After operating the ‘brick and mortar’ store for more than nine years, she sold her business and has been supplying fine vinyl records online with her web site and as an ebay ‘Power Seller.’
However one of the obstacles of the business is actually finding records to sell, Laura is always looking for collections.
“I buy collections from individuals and estates,” explains Laura. “Three years ago I bought an incredible large collection (6,000 records) from a music critic. Finding collections is the most challenging part of my business. I am always looking for large collections of vinyl records (Lps and 45s) and music memorabilia, especially from people who have been in the music business; music critics, former record company folks or broadcasters. I am mainly interested in 1950′s & 1960′s jazz, blues, rock, soul and country and will travel for large collections. I also offer finder’s fees for tips that lead to the purchase of large collections.”
Laura also explained some of the advantages & disadvantages of selling online.
“The advantage of selling on line is that I can receive orders 24 hours a day and I have an international clientele. A record store has limited hours, it has to be staffed and it has a limited geographical reach. One of the disadvantages of selling online is shipping records by media mail within the United States. The post office claims that it takes 4-14 days to ship by media mail, but it can take up to three weeks or longer. Most people don’t realize how long it takes, and we do get occasional e-mails from angry customers asking where is my order?”
Tell us more about your online business.
“We carry multiple genres of music including jazz, rock, blues, country, and soul and have over 10,000 records in stock. I would say that the jazz and rock LPs are our bestsellers. We grade conservatively according to the Goldmine Magazine Standards and the highest grade we give a record would be Near Mint (NM),” explained Laura. “As an ebay power seller (seller name is littlelam), I am very careful about grading records.”
There are literally hundreds of vinyl retailers online who carry on this tradition of offering quality used vinyl at reasonable prices. Record buyers must weed out the best and worst and the great aspect of this retailing method is that it is quite easy to find an online vendor that suits your needs. Now, if they can only be counted….
About the Author
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/Pop Music, vinyl record collecting and operates
http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com
, where you can pick up a copy of his FREE ebook called “The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting.” Have your vinyl records appraised at
http://www.vinylrecordappraisals.com
.
How To Buy Vinyl Records on eBay
|
|
MDNA $5.85 MADONNA MDNA (DELUXE 2 CD)… |
|
|
Can’t Buy a Thrill $2.47 No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 17-NOV-1998… |
|
|
Stax 50th: 50th Anniversary Celebration $13.22 When Concord Music purchased Fantasy Records in 2006, the bulging Stax catalog came along for the ride. Not a bad deal, especially since Stax remains one of the richest and most vital sources of ’60s and ’70s soul, blues, and R&B. The newly reactivated label’s debut release is a lavishly boxed double-disc set of 50 highlights–as opposed to hits–from the Memphis label’s voluminous vaults to celeb… |
|
|
Rock-N-Roll 15in Platter $3.65 Serve up treats on a jukebox platter! Rock-N-Roll Platter features the look of a 1950′s jukebox in shiny molded plastic. Jukebox platter is durable and reusable and measures 15in x 10in. Not safe for dishwasher or microwave…. |
|
|
Memorex 700MB/80-Minute 48x CD-R Media (Black, 50-Pack Spindle) $22.99 Memorex CD-R is perfect for storing data, photos, and music files. Memorex CD-R offers 80 minutes of audio recording time or 700 MB of data storage, available in different write speed compatible and can be recorded on a computer CD Writer…. |
|
|
Jensen 3-Speed Stereo Turntable with AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver) $49.99 3-SPEED STEREO TURNTABLE WITH AM/FM RECEIVER & 2 BUILT-IN SPEAKERS IN A WOODEN CABINETFM STEREO & POWER INDICATORSEXTERNAL STEREO SPEAKER OUTPUT TERMINALSINCLUDES DUST COVER & STEREO HEADPHONE JACKDIM: 6.25″H X 12.5″W X 10.63″DUPC : 077283912047Shipping Dimensions : 14.00in X 13.10in X 8.20inEstimated Shipping Weight : 9.0595… |
|
|
Audio Technica AT-LP60USB Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable with USB Port $199.95 Digitize your favorite 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records on the Audio Technica AT-PL60USB turntable, which comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer. The system offers Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software, an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica Dual Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable stylus, and a USB cable and adapter cables. With Audacity recording softwa… |
|
|
ION Audio iCUE3 Discover DJ System $129.99 The ION Audio Discover DJ System easily allows you to mix and scratch your computer music library at your fingertips. Simply load the included MixVibes Cross LE software, plug in the ION Discover DJ and you’re ready to be a star DJ. Mix tracks with the DJ crossfader, scratch, EQ, and even do more advanced DJ effects like pitching up and down! The Discover DJ works with all of your MP3s and other m… |
|
|
Sony Creative Software Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 – 2011 $42.01 Audio recording editing & mastering made easySound Forge Audio Studio has everything you need to edit and master professional-quality audio on your home puter. Record live instruments and vocals sweeten and restore audio apply studio-quality effects and convert files with lightning speed. You can even create your own karaoke tracks with the Vocal Eraser tool. With a few simple steps you can produc… |
|
|
Easy LP to MP3 $52.99 Roxio Easy LP to MP3 includes everything you need to easily digitize, clean up and convert audio from analog LPs and cassettes to MP3. Enjoy your classic audio on MP3 players, iTunes, iPhone, iPod or CDs. Remove clicks, pops, hissing and other unwanted noises. Automatically split and name tracks. Label creator and cables included. Advanced features include special audio effects like fade in/out, d… |