Selling a loved one's record collection

First, there's no rush

A record collection is often one of the most personal things a person leaves behind. It can hold decades of their life, from the singles they bought as a teenager to the albums they played every Sunday. It's completely normal to want to leave it alone for a while.

Records are happy to wait. Kept upright, out of direct sunlight and away from damp or heat, they won't come to any harm while you decide what to do. Don't let anyone hurry you into a decision, and be wary of anyone who turns up offering a single figure for the lot before they've properly looked.

What to do first

Before selling anything, it helps to:

• Check with family and friends. Someone may want a few records to remember them by, and it's much easier to set those aside now than to wish you had later.
• Look for any notes, lists or spreadsheets. Many collectors kept a record of what they owned, sometimes with notes on pressings or what they paid.
• Keep each record with its own sleeve. Inner sleeves, inserts, posters and lyric sheets can all matter, so leave them where they are.
• Keep any 7" singles together and in their sleeves too. Boxes of singles are easy to overlook, but they're worth checking like everything else.

How to spot valuable records

Collections built up through the 1960s, 70s and 80s often contain rock and pop records that are worth more than you'd expect, and some that are worth less than the famous title suggests. Two things matter most.

The pressing. The same album can be worth very different amounts depending on which pressing it is. First pressings, original UK issues and early label designs are usually the most sought after. The catalogue number on the spine, back cover and centre label tells you which release you're holding. Our guide to how much your records are worth explains catalogue numbers, barcodes and pressings in plain language.

The condition. A clean, lightly played record in a tidy sleeve is worth far more than a scratched one in a split cover. Hold each disc up to the light and look for scratches, scuffs and warps, and check the sleeve for splits, writing and water damage. The grading guide shows how we describe condition, from Mint to Poor.

Getting an instant price for each record

You don't need to be an expert to find out what a collection might fetch. On our homepage, scan the barcode on the back of a sleeve with your phone, or type in the catalogue number if there isn't one. You'll see an instant price for that exact record. Add the ones you're happy to sell to your basket, and leave the rest on the shelf.

Working in small batches is gentler than trying to do it all at once. A dozen records one evening is still progress.

A large collection, or not sure where to start?

We welcome whole collections. If the collection is large, or you'd simply rather not scan hundreds of records yourself, you can email hello@vinylbuyback.co.uk with a list, a spreadsheet or some photos and we'll take a look.

For larger collections we can also help in other ways. Get in touch to arrange any of these through hello@vinylbuyback.co.uk:

• Local collection around Mansfield and the East Midlands.
• Paid postage or a courier for large collections.
• Home visits for large collections.
• Consignment, where we sell the records for you.

Vinyl Buyback is run by Chris Faulkes, who has been selling vinyl on eBay for over 6 years through his record shop, WholeLottaVinyl. Every record is checked by someone who handles vinyl every day and will treat your loved one's collection with care. You can read more on our about page, and other ways to sell are compared in where to sell vinyl and selling a record collection.