Vintage Vinyl Records Are So Expensive! And Why I Need To Get Over It!!!

The same thing is going on with movies on disc now. We’re seeing more Limited Editions, more deluxe packaging and stupid swag and very high prices. Plus “improved” rereleases, double and triple dipping. Like vinyl it’s now a collector’s market en route to rich man’s hobby and ultimately I think it will implode from it. Sounds like vinyl is very similar right now.

The fact that a vinyl record was sold by the millions doesnt mean that you can ones in mint condition. Also vinyl stores location influences price . Stop winning about price . If you don’t think the price is not fair don’t buy it!!! Period stop. Small stores have to pay rents utilities and salaries to stay in business. Its not only what you think a vinyl is worth . You dont help our community.

The hype is dying off a bit but Lps will still be popular and over priced stuff will level off

The vintage vinyl market will correct itself. It's not about what a seller thinks it's worth, it's about what a buyer is willing to pay. Buying vinyl for listening vs buying as an investment, to flip, or for the sake of collecting is what created the current situation. The amount of new used vinyl available is an indicator that some people are giving up on collecting. Imagine buying a cheap portable turntable and listening to a record thru the built in speakers or maybe a set of desktop computer speakers and wondering what the hype was about vinyl. Look what happened with cabbage patch dolls, Ty babies, early 90's sports cards.

First world problems. 🙄 Anyone who’s well-off enough to identify as a record collector and moan about vinyl prices is doing better than a LOT of people on earth.

Well I'm older now I remember when new records were 5 dollars on sale and 10 for double record it was just a regular record cassettes and 8tracks were a dollar more

I am not an expert on vinyl but I have heard that a lot of reissues are recorded from digital recordings.

I stopped buying records about a year ago. Not because I can't afford them, it's just that I object to being ripped off. They cost $60-100 here .. sorry, no way

In 1979 I purchased my first Mobile Fidelity half-speed mastered pressing on JVC supervinyl. It was "Abbey Road" and cost $17.98. The late 70's and early 80's with introduction of DMM was indeed vinyl's "finest hour". An online inflation calculator says that $17.98 in 1979 is equivalent to $78.18 in 2024. As best I recall, US standard new releases were about $8, UK & German imports were $1 more, and Japanese imports were around $2 more. The imports typically had better vinyl and better quality covers. Not all US pressings had "bad" vinyl, but quite a lot were using recycled vinyl.

I bought a thousand records over the decades at my local Goodwill for $1 each! All good stuff!

Re issues are fine it's the remixed ones that I don't like there is often no reason to " REMIX " an album and as far as cost the average cost of an album in Australia is around $60 Australian up wards for a new re issue and for a VG+ second hand record can start around $50 upwards so you can decide which you want.

That's capitalism for you.

Vintage is much better then modern, and are worth to keep...

Melinda, if you’re ever in Orlando, bring your Quiet Riot record to my shop. We have a flattening machine. It usually takes 3 to 4 hours, but it usually gets the warp out pretty good.😊 Cliff - Remix Record Shop. Also, Eric is a good friend! Nice shout out to him. He’s very passionate.

From studying finance perspective, this is still gonna peak and fall. My 2 cents is the original vinyl era 1967 to 1990 was about 23 years. No way this post 2008 "resurgence" last longer than the original run. Im not saying its 2025, or 27 or 32. But I am fairly certain a large, LARGE readjusting is coming.

One thing I have noticed: In the 1970s & 80s, record stores were located everywhere throughout my city. Now they are only located in the wealthier areas.

The cost of doing business is very expensive. 7 year full time record monger here. We pay on average 70% of median discogs value on most desirable titles. We have to the competition in our area is beyond feirce and keeps the prices down. Meanwhile we run on 30% margin. Its very difficult to keep the ship running on such margins but we manage. The cost of used vinyl has a lot to do with that.

The RUSH original pressings are all stellar. Nothing wrong with them. Get them all if you can, especially the Canadian pressings. They will appreciate in value with time. Get near mint copies. They're worth it.

The great condition vintage records are expensive because there are more buyers than great condition copies. The effort and expense of the record store owner doesn't factor into it. In fact it's the inverse - the record store owner is willing to invest the effort and expense because collectors are willing to pay it for the few vintage examples that remain

I owned and operated a record store between 1984-2000. I can honestly say those were the best years of my life. When we opened in '84 the C.D. format was in its infancy. In fact we didn't even have a C.D. for sale until '85. Once the audio digital age was full speed ahead people were bringing in their record collections for store credit to replace their records with C.D.s. As a vinyl lover I was in pure heaven. As far as keeping the business afloat it was indeed difficult at times. There were some very lean months. You have to make some sacrifices at times in order to pay those bills. Eventually you figure it out. I could have kept the store open longer but in 2000 the record collecting hobby was waning and other opportunities came my way so I closed the store. Within several years of closing the vinyl market came roaring back. I couldn't believe it. Eventually I got back into buying and selling records and now that is my passion. I'm constantly buying collections and have so many records now I won't live long enough to sell them all. I place ads on Facebook Marketplace to sell records and I get lots of responses, mostly from young vinyl collectors who are having trouble adding to their collections because of the inflated price of vinyl, both new and used. I always give these individuals great deals because I want to encourage them to continue with their vinyl collecting endeavors. I put the more valuable records on Ebay which affords me the opportunity to sell the more common records at less-than-the-record store-prices. It also helps that I'm retired and don't have the overhead a record store has.

Unfortunately the "new" record collectors have to pay premium prices for vintage records (particularly those in good condition). A good alternative is to get the new reissues pressed by reputable manufacturers. Today's technology is good enough to enjoy the music of anything ever recorded if you can overcome the stigma of owning an original because pride of ownership is a record collector's condition that is prevalent amongst many. Walking into a record store with a hundred dollars and buying a dozen records is a thing of the past. Those days are gone as we are living in times where reality bites. It just all boils down to how you want to spend your mullah ... a good dinner or 2 UHQRs. I'm a stamp collector as well, and the similarities are astounding.

As I have told you before, the price of vinyl is through the roof these days, especially for new releases and reissues... But yes, vintage vinyl that often sold for less than $5 each back in the day is now more expensive... and yes, I understand why. I yearn for the days when used record albums used to sell for a dollar each or less in the 1990s. I bought enough of them in the day and through the years (as new in the 1970s and 80s) that I really should not be complaining today.

That said I wish I could afford to get fixed copies of the vinyl versions of Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" and Paul & Linda's "Ram" album someday. However the records are good enough for the occasional playing of that music in the vinyl format. It does help that I have these albums on CD and digital formats, so I can still enjoy them.

Today I only buy new CDs if I really want that latest album or single. I only buy vintage CDs if they're selling for under $10. In the end the music matters more than the format medium we listen to the songs on.

When buying used records from a record shop or from a pro seller, you're actually buying their EXPERTISE and work that's been already done. In an ideal situation that is. Of course the record is the ultimate paid item, but there's already lot of work been done before you get it. We had a top record store in Finland years ago, Lifesaver records, and those guys actually took trips to the United States, Japan or Europe to find treasures that we bought. Old records that simply weren't around in Finland at the time. Time and effort!

I miss Peaches.

If the tarrifs are a reality next year I can see people haing even less disposable income and selling a good chunk of their collections at a reduced price just to buy necessary items at Walmart.

I stopped buying vinyl due to how expensive they are now which is hilarious because when cds came out they were more expensive but not now. Plus I bought over 300 vinyl records in the 70s and 80s and never had to send any back. Now I bought around 30 and had to send 4 back. I prefer cd and sacd sound as well.

They should bake a whoopie pie

Re. vintage records, if a lot more people worldwide are chasing the same superior copies, e.g., first/early pressings of releases from 50 years ago or more, so many copies of which have been thrown out or degraded by now, yes, a number of these titles are going to be much more expensive than they once were. I've paid a lot (not insane amounts) for NM or VG+ condition vintage vinyl classics because they usually sound best (including better than reissues) because the bulk of the remaining copies have been trashed or worse by careless owners. I'm getting them on discogs or eBay where supply & demand are often critical pricing factors.

Most stores have totally replaced CDs and DVDs with other products, the new music stores seem to have taken over, but compared to vinyl only about 30% A massive turnout to about 5 years ago when vinyl was a a little section down the back of the store. I still buy vinyl, I purchased RUSH Permanent Waves paid $80 and I was okay with that. Vinyl sales are still steady but they have not stopped. I just have 300 records and I have to make sure I don’t over spend.

I always buy vinyl based on how good the pressing sounds. That usually means an early pressing but not always. It's great feeling finding something in the wild. I just got a VG+ (vinyl) UK Pink Floyd Meddle textured cover (VG) for $35 while visiting a city. I thought that was an incredible find. It replaced my primary copy.

Vinyl records were not cheap in the 60s and 70s

From 1981 to 2020, a used record was 3 to 5 dollars. A CD is 5 dollars, and a used CD player(60 dollars) sounds better than a 500 dollar turntable ...BUT....You built a beautiful library with top-notch sound gear. A celebration of culture and an educational experience for future generations in your family to learn from and enjoy

In the 1970s, regular album prices were $4.99 single album, $8.99 double album.
Cassette tape and 8-track tàpe were $7.00 - $10.00.
In the 1980s, albums went to $7.99 - $15.99.

I have been told that the younger kids will spend a ton of money just to have a piece of vintage, hoping that they will get the first edition of whatever album, Just so they can say they have what other people don't have. One record shop owner told me that eight years ago, he was selling pink floyd dark side of the moon for $8.00 But now , when the college kids come in , they actually have bid on dark side of the moon and even an old scratched version of the album he has sold for $200.00

Ya'll can have all the vinyl you want. I will stay with cd's thank you. I can't think of a single benefit of having vinyl over cd except that the artwork is larger.

The price of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it. If the prices go up, and people are still buying, then they will stay up. However, if the price goes up and people stop buying, then the price will go back down. Of course, there is a limit to this. If the price keeps going down, and people still don't buy, then the businesses go away. So, the problem becomes, do we want to pay current prices, or do we want to hold off, and risk the market evaporating?

Really, it doesn't effect me to much because I still purchase the majority of my records at auction. For example, last week I bought two vintage Stryper albums at an auction for $6 for both. It wasn't much of a gamble because one was still sealed. The other turned out to be NM, so it was a great deal. This method, however, takes time and patience. You have to wait until records you want come up for auction. Then it has to be the right auction, with the right people there, that are not interested in bidding against you for the records.

Generally, it works better if the auction company are selling the records in groups rather than single records. If a grouping of records has a few that I want, then I will bid and, if I win, sell the ones I don't want, afterward. Sometimes, I make money doing that, but most of the time I end up breaking even, and getting the records I wanted for free, or next to free. The key is to walk away if the bidding gets too high.

Let it be naked, back in 2013, I bought around 15 to 20 copies for $21 and three for $14, all never opened (Canadian dollar is 70 cents today). Do you research before buying ? Sonicboom Records asked not to buy anymore. The last time I was on Amazon, it was $660 a copy with none in stock.😊

Melinda - thank you for your thoughtful video. I live in Hobart, Tasmania, so access to record shops is not what it may be in LA or NYC. We do have several here though, and the same issues exist for independent record stores here as in your area.

I guess there's a bunch of reasons why we buy music - as you noted, I am sure nostalgia is one such for those who collect records. I have a small collection of records, but I don't classify myself as a record collector. I think one reason for collecting CDs might be to have a high quality physical copy of the music one likes. I don't generally consume music through streaming platforms, so CDs and records are really the way I mainly consume music (not quite - I do have Apple music - I use that for listening to music before I choose to buy a record or CD. And I also use Bandcamp). I also rip my CDs so I have an easily accessible copy on a networked hard drive. So, CDs are more convenient for me than records.

I guess the other thing around collecting is the music. I can see at least three modes:
1. I can collect records/CDs for the scarcity, and, hence, the appreciating value of the physical media;
2. I can collect merely for the music (my situation). So I'm agnostic regarding the format, although I prefer CD for the convenience;
3. Both the above.

Sadly, vinyl is now a boutique industry. Like anything and everything that can be pilfered for maximum profit the greed wins out and the prices go up and up and up. I'm buying new vinyl far less than I used to. And used records have become a bargain hunt. Which is fine, I guess, but I miss the days when I was snagging albums for $2 or $5 on vinyl. Those same records are $20 and $30. I just can't justify it. But you make excellent arguments, Melinda. It's a fine line to justify or criticize.

What a great subject and I agree with you on a lot of it, I am almost 60 years old I've been buying records since I was 7. I like to collect a little bit of everything minus opera. My main collection focuses on pop music from the oldies sound of Motown to the disco sound of Casablanca and prelude records to 80s wave I pretty much stopped in the late 90s with new music and just recently started buying records from target and Walmart but I have to say that the prices in my opinion are killing The hobby for a lack of better words. And I've heard this from a lot of friends that the prices per new record are ridiculous it doesn't cost that much to make a vinyl record as you would think at least in my opinion yes prices to go up on everything but come on $50 for a new record? Who's got that kind of money in today's world? Do you buy the necessities you need or do you blow it on one single record? You see before everyone could afford records you could find them for $.50 a $two dollars in budget bins now even those records have shot up to $10-$15 and even more new records should be priced between 17 and $25 not 50 not 49 not 39. I've bought all that I am gonna buy I just cannot pay that much for one single record even if it's a double album. The last record I bought at target was the wicked soundtrack for $39 and I felt super guilty about that. Used record stores are doing a great job they sell new and used at great prices but it certainly has changed there too. The two dollar budget bin is not two dollars anymore and the new ones are almost selling for $80 I don't know what to make of any of it anymore but I know that it has slowed down by collecting as well as others that I know who put the whole thing on hold. Something's got to be done about the pricing because it's not giving kids a chance to collect

I suspect the sales of new records will slowly drop as younger folks who picked up the hobby lose interest and move onto some other trend as they don't have the nostalgia aspect as do the older folks. I see old records as worth the price because the new releases are made from CD masters so you're simply buying digital sound transferred to vinyl, not really analog. Keep up the good work.

Well...at my advanced age (81) and a 3000+ record collection...I'm not purchasing discs from retail stores...many have been bought from garage, estate sales and thrift stores! In the eighties, when CDs were invading the market...thrift store racks were bulging with LPs! My top favorite music is both classical and theatre pipe organ...the "King of Instruments"! Have a large collection of these releases. I have to admit...my collection has nothing from the 1970s-present, I'm from a different era, (1920s-1960s)which my collection represents.

Some of you guys don't get it. Prices are based on demand, rarity and condition. Buying most vintage records are collectibles just like other collectibles. If you think it is easy to find most of these records go out and try to find them. You are beginning to sound like an expert knowing what records should cost.

I threw Raw Power away because of the cussing Iggy did on it. I'm sorry I did but it is what it is. But I have Fun House even though it never gets played. So I'm even now

Most of what I buy now is to 'fill in the gaps' of my collection or to replace one with an upgraded copy. An example is my Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue' LP. Somewhere back in time it warped very badly and I just replaced it with an 180 gram copy for $23. I'm good with that (even though I probably paid $5 originally). Good video Melinda.

Try filling out 80s thrash metal man it takes bucks unless you get lucky
Recently found megadeth,anthrax and Metallica dio in a pile of trash in great shape I felt like I hit the vinyl lottery they are so much

There is a cherry copy of dr feel good at the store in town
175.00 lol

We all out way too much time and effort into records but I can’t stop 😂

Melinda, it's always great seeing fantastic new content from you. While I agree with you on most things you say, the biggest issue with the pricing on the vintage pre-owned vinyl is, as with anything, supply and demand. Remember, there is a finite amount of those records that still exist, and as you move into releases from the late 80's and beyond, there are even fewer of them to be had. On one hand you have the Billy Joel "Greatest Hits" 2LP set that has only been pressed one time way back in 1985, and for some reason the labels refuse to repress it, even though we all know that it would most likely have a $40-50 price tag new. However, since the 1985 version is the only thing out there, demand for Billy's records has drastically gone up because new collectors love his music, as do most of us older collectors. Hence the price point. 

Now, other things like the Def Leppard I don't see that much of a gap between a very nice condition OG and a brand new reissue...and I feel that's probably how it should be. Imagine if you were hunting down beautiful NM OG first pressings of early Metallica albums...what would you expect to pay for those, same as a newer reissue? Hardly not, and that simply because most collectors prefer a good, clean original over a new reissue...and they are saying so with their wallets. 

Same with records like the Journey and Quiet Riot records you talked about. Both new and older collectors will pay a little premium for something in very nice shape, with clean inserts and in shrink with original hype sticker. I totally get it, we all want to look back (mostly pre-pandemic) when prices were not as high as they are now, but I liken it to cars, houses, groceries, baseball cards, comics, etc. Prices on that stuff is not where it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago, and we all need to lighten up a little bit because as long as demand outweighs supply, that's just the way it is. 

Also, those of us who own record stores are forced to pay more for this stuff as well. Most sellers know they have several options like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc. therefore we can no longer buy this stuff for anywhere near what we were able to get it 5 years ago even, let alone 15-20 plus years ago. Those days are over....at least for now. These hobbies come and go for some people, and there will always be ups and downs and ebbs and flows. I just sit back and try not to get too worked up over it.

I am glad you summarized the video with a lot of the points I made above, I'm just concerned that most viewers won't make it to the point int the video where you drive home the point as to why the pre-owned, clean, vintage records are priced the way they are. Sorry to leave such a long comment, but you know we are friends and we love and support each other along the way. I just felt I had to chime in on all of the "sky is falling" and what is bad about this industry/hobby as opposed to really telling everyone what we all love and enjoy about records and collecting.

I really hope you guys are enjoying your new place in Florida, and it's always great interacting with you. Hope you have a very Happ Thanksgiving.

Your friend,
Billy-