long post alert:
buying crap records from ebay vendors (and others) seems like it could be an addiction caused by genetic defects, deserving of scientific action - at least in my case.
not sure if kasperhauser is taking the p*** above but I'd say two-thirds of my 'collection' being in too poor a condition to listen to comfortably is a hugely conservative estimate, and, yes, I do give 'em a clean (I've been through the mill on this subject - going as far as buying a loricraft machine at one point, and it still remains a very vexed one for me).
Most of these discs have been from ebay in recent years, and all of these hundreds purchased have been described as exc + or mint - ; most haven't been close to this by a country mile.
and, twit that I am, I never learn my lesson: just received 4 discs for a total of £60 (not inc. p&p) - all described in glowing terms, and mostly as mint / mint-.
well: the covers are indeed excellent, but the discs, apart from one, are not. At all.
of course, I checked out the guy's feedback beforehand, and despite him replying to negative comments with 'I fart in your general direction' (literally, I'm not making this up, maybe Python could sue him), and not allowing returns, I still bought the bloody things.
being a wuss I've never left negative feedback either ... !
And it's not just Ebay: this evening I've been comparing an original island copy of Fotheringay's eponymous (first) album, for which, some time ago, I paid a handsome sum as being 'like new' from the UK's largest professional vendor of used records and memorabilia (guess it's name) against a 'topic' reissue from much later, bought new from Dobell's Jazz and Folk record shop back in the day.
The original is appalling: no highs and crackle galore and doesn't even look 'like new' even if it was claimed that this is just what the first pressing was like (I assume they grade visually).
The topic is superb.
Wish I'd been older and had the cash flow to buy from such as Dobells when they were still around, and pressings were generally ok.
There is a seller on ebay who would appear to be exemplary in approach and presentation - 'one a day records'.
But the very nature of his method (he play tests each lp very carefully, even listing his hifi equipment) results in him dealing largely in highly collectible and expensive discs, so not a great source in general terms.
erm..., my congratulations / commiserations to anyone who's bothered to wade through the above blather, but it's a subject that's been obsessing me of late, as I've geared up to finally rip my vinyl collection to the 'pooter.
