Until quite recently, CDs (Compact Discs) were the champions of music revenue since the early 90s, the modern world of internet has changed all of that. From 2014 onwards, music sales have been dominated by paid subscriptions but it may surprise you that Vinyl records are making a resurgence.
Vinyl revenue has grown steadily in recent years with RIAA data showing a steady 12% growth every half since 2018, giving vinyl a 4% market share on music revenue by 2019. So, why would a popular music medium from the 60s be making a comeback?
Some believe its nostalgia while others believe it is just a fad.
Whatever it may be, currently we know that a rare 78 RPM jazz might sell for anywhere between $1,500-$5,000, while a rare blues record could start at a whopping $5,000. The RPM, or Revolutions Per Minute, determines the quality of sound. They come in three speeds:
- 33 1/3 RPM
- 45 RPM
- 78 RPM
The sound quality of a vinyl gets better and better as it moves to a higher tier of RPM.
What Determines the Price of a Vinyl?
The high demand and surging prices of a vinyl record may depend on a number of things, including:
- Condition
As with most vintage items, the condition of the vinyl highly affects the price. It must be properly kept and must maintain good sound quality to fetch a higher price. - Number of units pressed
This is a big factor because the number of units pressed during production limit how many units of a certain vinyl are available on the market. The lower the number, the rarer the vinyl and the more the demand and prices surge.
These factors, and the market demand of the album, songs or artist, determine the overall pricing of a vinyl record.
Currently, there are many online websites available that document and calculate the pricing of a vinyl for collectors, enthusiasts and the general public alike, these include:
You can check the value of your current collection or any vinyl record by exploring the prices on these websites.
Where to Find Vinyl Records?
If you are a collector or picker searching for good deals on vinyl records for your collection, you can find a decent vinyl or entire collections for sale at:
- Garage sales
- Estate sales
- Thrift stores
- Storage auctions
- Online sales, and even in the trash
Finding rare records is not the easiest task but when you do find a rare one at a good price, you can make a lot of money by reselling it at higher prices. Rare records are like first edition ‘talking’ books – they are limited, in-demand and rising in value with each passing day.
What We Do
At ‘How to Become a Picker’, we have expertise in the art of picking and reselling all kinds of items to make profits, including vinyl records. We have grown our company from scratch to now making $50,000 to $250,000 in profits per year.
We share our knowledge, expertise, skills and the picker lifestyle among those who are interested. If you want to learn more about picking and collecting to turn a profit, please visit our website today.