Is There Rhyme or Reason to eBay Pricing Patterns?
eBay, as I’ve said so often on the site, defines the pricing market for jazz collectibles. I’m sure there are still places running auctions by mail and I’m sure places like the Jazz Record Center still get strong retail traffic, but, by and large, if you want to know what a record is worth, look on eBay — or, even better, look at our Jazz Collector Price Guide, which is taken from eBay and is more comprehensive. Which is just a long way of getting to the point that, even though I’ve been watching the prices of jazz LPs on eBay for years, I’m still often surprised by what I see. Last week we were talking about a two-tier market — and clearly there is, but I’m not sure it’s so different than it was 15 or 20 years ago — and every time I see further compelling evidence of some record prices dropping through the floor, I see other evidence of some record prices soaring through the roof. Here are a few examples of records I’ve been watching this week:
Randy Weston, With These Hands, Riverside 214. This was an original white label pressing. The condition was questionable: The record was VG to VG++, which is not clear, and the cover was VG. The price was $30. We know Blue Notes and Prestiges of the same vintage and condition are selling in the $200 and $300 range, so $30 for this record seems to be quite low. But the market is the market.
Then there’s this: The Complete Buddy DeFranco Verve With Sonny Clark on Mosaic. This is a beautiful 5-LP set that I’ve seen sell for $200 or so. This week the seller couldn’t get more than $65.
One more: Al Cohn Quintet, Coral 57118. This one was in VG+ condition for the vinyl and probably VG for the cover. It went for $9.50.
So just when I think the bottom is collapsing in the second tier, I see other evidence that it’s not. Case in point: Herbie Mann, Love and the Weather, Bethlehem 63. This one was in nice condition, so it had an advantage over some of the ones I’ve mentioned. Still, it sold for $90, which is quite high for a Herbie Mann LP, even the ones on Prestige.
My answer to all of this is that the market will do what the market will do and, unless you’re selling an original Blue Note or Prestige in nice condition, it’s best to be prepared for anything as either a buyer or a seller.
My take: relatively small pool of avid collectors for items that don’t fall into the elite blue note and prestige class. This is great for buyers: if they have enough patience they can score a DeFranco Mosaic for $65. Not so great if you consider your collection part of your 401k. I’m only happy that great records can still be had for reasonable prices, and thats the reason I keep coming back to ebay. Al Cohn for $10? Drop your needle on that platter and listen to those cats play Lady is a Tramp. Magic baby. Pure magic.
Funny you include a copy of Randy Weston’s superb Riverside session! I have loved this session ever since buying the CD over 10 years ago. Took me several years of looking but I managed to snag a white label, DG of this, in legitimate VG+ condition (just played it last night – actually seemed quieter than I had remembered – usually the other way around) and paid no more than $40. I tend to stay away from anything described as VG or bid way, way low.