Big Tabs
looking backwards, going forwards
I have been sorting, grading, cleaning and selling records for Headway brain injury charity for quite a few years now.
Back in 2008 I was taking a break from Oncology/Palliative Care Nursing, so turned my hand to writing for a motorcycle magazine. I had barely started when I had a life changing road/traffic accident. (T-Boned is the term think)
Four years after my accident, all I had was music/hifi to keep me sane. That is when I found pfm and Discogs.
I would frequent the local Headway charity shop, trawling for interesting records. It was easy to recognise that they were practically giving records away rather than getting a fair price for their donations. So I spoke to the manager and offered my time and experience. I have a brain injury, so it makes sense.
A lot has changed since that first chat.
The vinyl is no longer stored on the floor in the shop! (back-breaking/impossible to peruse) and the records are now kept close to the counter, as shoplifting is very common
I sell the more expensive items online via Discogs, but, very slowly I am able to sell vinyl at increasing prices in the shop.
The manager has allocated a small area in a glass cabinet for more expensive records. This works very well. I hate giving Discogs/Paypal a percentage of the sales, so selling in store is the preferred market.
I clean and play everything that goes for sale. I wouldn’t feel happy asking for £9 for an album that didn’t play well. Albums and 12” Singles sell for £1 upwards. 7” Singles sell for between £1 and £5 so far.
I do keep a box of less sort after Singles for 50p and a box of even less sort after Singles for 20p.
There is a loose version of stock-rotation, stuff that doesn’t sell within a few months gets reduced. I also pass on stuff to other charities if there is no interest, or sometimes records go straight in the bin. Nobody wants Harry Secombe
It used to upset me throwing nr/mint records away. Not anymore. I do save inner sleeves, they have a value, and it means that I can replace ripped inners without any cost to me or the charity.
I do throw away any records that are scratched beyond use, all of the stock is VG+ or better.
Nobody wants to spend money on something to find it has the intro ruined by loud repetitive clicks, or undiscovered pressing noise. Even if it is just worth a £1.
(that said, some of the 20p records have some noise… )
There are probably only about 200 albums/12” Singles in the shop, and maybe 200 7” Singles! Space is tight, I would like more room to sell stuff, but it isn’t a record shop (!.)
Today, by accident, I took some freshly priced vinyl to the shop, and the Headway shop area manager was there doing a visit. (I had no idea who she was, and had to phone and ask later)
Apparently the Headway shop that I stock is the smallest Headway shop, but takes the most money in Vinyl sales. Over double what the next best shop takes . This is most pleasing.
If anyone near Mansfield, North of Nottingham has records that they have no longer a use for, then bear us in mind. Gift Aided donations also much appreciated.
Donate here, or come see what I am selling
Headway Charity Shop
47 Station Street
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 7AN
more information about Headway charity.
https://www.headway.org.uk/
Back in 2008 I was taking a break from Oncology/Palliative Care Nursing, so turned my hand to writing for a motorcycle magazine. I had barely started when I had a life changing road/traffic accident. (T-Boned is the term think)
Four years after my accident, all I had was music/hifi to keep me sane. That is when I found pfm and Discogs.
I would frequent the local Headway charity shop, trawling for interesting records. It was easy to recognise that they were practically giving records away rather than getting a fair price for their donations. So I spoke to the manager and offered my time and experience. I have a brain injury, so it makes sense.
A lot has changed since that first chat.
The vinyl is no longer stored on the floor in the shop! (back-breaking/impossible to peruse) and the records are now kept close to the counter, as shoplifting is very common
I sell the more expensive items online via Discogs, but, very slowly I am able to sell vinyl at increasing prices in the shop.
The manager has allocated a small area in a glass cabinet for more expensive records. This works very well. I hate giving Discogs/Paypal a percentage of the sales, so selling in store is the preferred market.
I clean and play everything that goes for sale. I wouldn’t feel happy asking for £9 for an album that didn’t play well. Albums and 12” Singles sell for £1 upwards. 7” Singles sell for between £1 and £5 so far.
I do keep a box of less sort after Singles for 50p and a box of even less sort after Singles for 20p.
There is a loose version of stock-rotation, stuff that doesn’t sell within a few months gets reduced. I also pass on stuff to other charities if there is no interest, or sometimes records go straight in the bin. Nobody wants Harry Secombe
It used to upset me throwing nr/mint records away. Not anymore. I do save inner sleeves, they have a value, and it means that I can replace ripped inners without any cost to me or the charity.
I do throw away any records that are scratched beyond use, all of the stock is VG+ or better.
Nobody wants to spend money on something to find it has the intro ruined by loud repetitive clicks, or undiscovered pressing noise. Even if it is just worth a £1.
(that said, some of the 20p records have some noise… )
There are probably only about 200 albums/12” Singles in the shop, and maybe 200 7” Singles! Space is tight, I would like more room to sell stuff, but it isn’t a record shop (!.)
Today, by accident, I took some freshly priced vinyl to the shop, and the Headway shop area manager was there doing a visit. (I had no idea who she was, and had to phone and ask later)
Apparently the Headway shop that I stock is the smallest Headway shop, but takes the most money in Vinyl sales. Over double what the next best shop takes . This is most pleasing.
If anyone near Mansfield, North of Nottingham has records that they have no longer a use for, then bear us in mind. Gift Aided donations also much appreciated.
Donate here, or come see what I am selling
Headway Charity Shop
47 Station Street
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 7AN
more information about Headway charity.
https://www.headway.org.uk/