Jazz Vinyl: Where’s the Action?
Things have been hectic around here, to say the least. My wife, known to many of you as The Lovely Mrs. JC, had a retinal detachment in August and has since been through three surgeries and two laser procedures. We’ve been driving back and forth between New York and The Berkshires almost every week. Fingers crossed that the third surgery was the charm. In the meantime, I’m thankful I’ve been able to continue doing my radio show on WTBR-FM Pittsfield, which are also the podcasts that appear on the Jazz Collector web site. I have never done anything like this before and it’s giving me a lot of enjoyment. Plus it’s getting me back into the music, even more than the records, which, IMHO, is always a good thing. But there are still records out there and, I assume eBay is still in business, so I will swing over there now and do my first search in well over a month. And what do I find?
Let’s do this in real time. So far, I’m finding a lot of records with really high start prices and zero bids, starting with: Miles Davis Volume 2, Blue Note 1502, original Lexington Avenue pressing. Great looking cover, as you can see. Record and cover are graded in Excellent condition, which the seller describes as “VERY” nice, although not quite mint minus. Start price is close to $1,900 and the buy it now price is close to $2,900.
How about Gil Melle, Gil’s Guests, Prestige 7063? This is an original New York yellow label listed in VG+ condition for the record and what I would call an “iffy” VG cover. How about $900 to start? And here’s a record I once owned but traded away in a very bad deal for me: Sonny Red, Out of the Blue Note 4032. The record and cover are graded VG+, with some surface noise on the vinyl. The start price is about $800.
Doing this in real time, I have completed the first page of 60 listings of jazz records sorted by highest prices on eBay. I kid you not – there is not a single record that has even one bid. Astrud Gilberto, The Shadow of Your Smile, $2,000. No? Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely, $400. No?
To be fair, there are some records that will likely be sold and perhaps well into the $1,000 bin. I’m looking at Freddie Hubbard Hub Cap, Blue Note 4073, and . . . . not much more. Let’s move on to page 2. I’m determined to find a record that has at least one bid.
Nothing yet. Passing Chet Baker, It Could Happen to You, Sonny Rollins, Rollins Plays For Bird, both in the $300 range, passing Freddie Redd, The Connection at $250, Miles Davis, Relaxin’ at $250. OK. Now I’m starting to worry that something is wrong with my internet connection or eBay. Nothing? Let’s keep going.
Ding, ding, ding. Nearly 100 records down, our first record that has any bids, and, I must admit, it’s a good one: Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This looks to be an original pressing with the New York 23 labels. The record is graded M- and the cover is graded EX. There are actually 10 bids and the price is currently at about $230 with less than two days left on the auction.
Well, that was fun. Clearly, my absence from posting, has had a dramatic impact on the market.
Al, so happy to see you back. I wish a complete recovery to the lovely Mrs JC. Please, my best wishes to you both.
Regarding the market, it is my impression that newbies are breaking into the market with irrealistic ideas on prices. I am following some items on Ebay UK with ridiculously high Buy it now prices. For months nothing happens.
To gauge the market, the best thing is to consult the “completed items” section.
As someone who sells a lot online, though little through eBay, I can confidently say that sales are down in general. Things at auction are going for less than they did a year or two ago, too. Just yesterdat, VG++ cecil taylor on transition, only $650. Incredible.
Gregory. I agree with you. I am not selling through Ebay anymore. They have developed into a modern day Stasi, hand in hand with governments and the tax inspection.
But the tendency is clear, lower prices than a couple of years ago, with the odd exception.
Aloha AL! I hope your wife’s eye surgery is a success. I have a loved one with the same situation. Amazing the medical technology today for our eyes!
Rudolf and Gregory, agree with you. Not sure where you are located but here in the San Francisco Bay Area inflation is so bad that a “typical” family needs an additional $11,500+ yearly just to cover the same basic living needs then where we were at the beginning of 2021. Many music friends I know are slowing down their acquisitions at the moment. It seems that Carolina Soul and Strictlyheadies still seem to get higher priced but not as high. Holidays could also be factoring in. Well, gotta warm up the tubes now and spin some vinyl! Mahalo!
The Cecil Taylor was missing the booklet which is a fairly integral component of collecting Transition albums. So I thought the end result was pretty generous actually. Definitely agree that there seems to be a downturn in prices yet still lots of unrealistic sellers out there.
Aloha Mark,
Good point there. I remember years ago getting the Lucky Thompson Transition album. The first one I got was in great condition, no booklet. So I bought a second one, vinyl not as nice, still very enjoyable but had the booklet so I could have a complete set and let one go. BTW question I’m sure you all here have discussed. Since we are coming upon the Christmas holiday, the Peanuts Christmas lp on Fantasy. I read somewhere that there was not an official mono recording, only the stereo but that Fantasy “folded” down, I think that is what they said, the track to make a mono version. If this is the case, wouldn’t the stereo version sound better? I ask because I’ve seen some mono red label copies recently sell for high amounts, so I’m curious about this? Thank you. Mahalo
Al, prayers and good health to Mrs. JC. Sales are down with out a doubt, but i think it;s more has to do with internet sales being taxable, who want’s to pay taxes on selling your merchandise from a hobby, also i agree AL, i am seeing more and more of sellers with high opening bids, although Carolina soul still starts his jazz auctions with low starting bids.
Aloha Mark Hall, good points. I notice that sellers with reasonable opening bids like Carolina Soul, strictlyheadies and others are rewarded very nicely because they know their product fairly well and are good at describing each record. It seems like many sellers don’t want auctions anymore, the seller does some quick research on discogs, popsike or eBay to see what records ended at and then price very high. One seller in Los Angeles, Bebop Records, I think was Sarurai Records before, never does auctions, always prices his stuff at a premium. And many times lists his BIN records right after other’s auctions end. I wrote to him about a record I was interested in, I lost the auction and other ones, always about the same ending price. Say it was $100.00. He had one listed one, maybe not as nice of condition for $180.00. I gave him the completed auctions’ information and asked if he might match or come close in price. He said he couldn’t. I understand. But I notice his store, stock has slow turnover rates. He will knock down pricing between 5-15% from time to time. He’s not the only one. Others just getting into the “game,” many I feel don’t even love or care for this music just see the $$$ signs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m for paying fair prices for records. I just wished eBay would try to encourage more auction style listings. Maybe raise the price on BIN listings. Anyhow, just rambling now, lol ?! Take care. Mahalo!
Hi Kyle, I agree, it would be nice if eBay would encourage more auction style listings. Personally, I prefer the Buy It Now, but I have gotten some very nice deals out of the auctions. I personally list everything I have as Buy It Now, since I’ve found that any time I list as an auction it goes for much lower than I’d expect. I can only assume it’s because I’m a small seller/hobbyist instead of a full-time professional seller. Sales are down across the board, probably because records aren’t “technically” a necessity, while food and rent are. I think a lot of the amateur sellers coming in with high price points and subpar descriptions/photos/inaccurate gradings are hurting sales. I recently bought a record for a replacement cover that was also signed. The discs were graded as VG+ but when I received them they were VG- not bad, but certainly not what I expected. Similarly, both of the printed inner sleeves had splits that weren’t mentioned. If I had been buying this for more than the cover, I would’ve been inclined to return it, but as it is I can live with it since I had better discs already. But now I’m just rambling, take care!
Aloha Andy, thank you for your comments. I don’t have a problem with BIN I think the issue I have as you stated, are these “new sellers” who don’t know how to grade records then ask high premiums for buy it now purchases. Thus I’d rather have them list auction style. I also think many have gotten into this, record selling only for the money and are not interested in the music or a specific genre, just the “bottom line.” Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with making money. Take care now. Mahalo and Melekalikimaka!