Jazz Vinyl: Where’s the Action?
Haven’t been on eBay in a while. Have I missed anything? I meant that as a joke, but now that I’m looking I feel like perhaps I have missed something. I’m seeing a lot of records that would have gotten a lot of action, not getting much action at all. I know things always change as auctions get near closing time, but having been off eBay for a few weeks I have to say I am a little taken aback by the lack of activity. Has anyone else noticed this? In any case, there are many records that are getting bids, so let’s look at a few of those, starting with Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia 1355. This is an original mono promo copy with the white labels. The record is listed in VG condition, and the cover is also VG, with some writing on the back and a partial seam split. Certainly not the best copy you will find, but there are already 16 bids from 10 bidders and the price is up to $300, so clearly the demand for this one remains pretty high despite the condition.
Here’s a nice 10-inch LP featuring some very early Sonny Rollins: Art Farmer Quintet, Prestige 177. This looks to be an original pressing with the blue label. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is VG. The auction closes in more than a day after this post and the bidding is in the $200 range.
Hank Mobley, Roll Call, Blue Note 4058. This is an original West 63rd Street pressing listed in VG condition for the record and VG for the cover, although the cover grading looks a bit optimistic to me based on a water stain on the back. The auction closes in a day and the bidding is in the $190 range.
Here’s a nice one that doesn’t have any bids yet: Booker Ervin, Exultation!, Prestige 7293. This is an original yellow label pressing. The record is listed in Ex condition and the cover is listed as VG+. Bidding starts at $200 and there is a buy-it-now price of $260.
I think there’s more action on/with Discogs and social media sellers than via eBay these days. I’ve bought two things on eBay this entire year and only one was a record. The other was a silly t-shirt.
Agree with Clifford. Discogs is cheaper, the price is set already (though you can bargain down often times) and also allows people to view entire collections if you choose to make those known, so I often get unsolicited offers. Would be interesting to track those deals. Unfortunately, a lot of deals get done on social media so the data on those doesn’t usually exist. Regarding other auctions, that Heritage Auction posted last week had a crazy buyer’s premium which took somewhat more attractive buys out of my range.
what a nice piece of artwork on the Farmer
Agree on the artwork. Love the facial expressions – especially the sun.
The Farmer art is fantastic!
I felt that action was slowing down before we went on vacation a couple of weeks ago, but I steer clear of auctions at the high end with bunches of watchers anyway. But looking at closed auctions for records I track, my impression was that prices and number of bids were both down going into June.
Vacation was great as I found affordable original European presses in my price range (Barclay, Vogue, Swing) at Paris Jazz Corner and CrocoDisc.
I listed a small batch of 15 or so on ebay a couple weeks ago; nothing rare or amazing, just thinning out the racks, but certainly some nice enough sides at what I feel were reasonable starting prices (most in the $7-9 range). A few did OK, but most went for little more than my opening ask and some not at all (I’m willing to accept not a lot of people are looking for Buddy Collette). I did decide I no longer want the hassle of international shipping, so I suppose that hurts as well. I have another small batch up right now (japhy), but action is slow and my hopes aren’t high. Frankly, I’m happy enough just getting more than what my local shop would give me.
That said, I’ve already shopped on Discogs more this year than I ever have (which was almost never), but really just for stuff that I can’t find on ebay. I still feel like ebay has an edge for the images and the option for extensive descriptions, but clearly shoppers are spending their dollars in other places. Don’t like the bidding, I guess? Personally, I find it frustrating to have to message Discogs sellers for pictures or ask for clarification on what “light marks” means, and then not hear back a lot of the time.
My experience echoes Japhy. Glad to hear I’m not alone. I thought it was me. For a while now I’ve thought there was no real middle in the market, just high end and bargains.
Glad to hear I’M not alone, Bill! Ha. I think you’re right — steals and grails. I imagine we might also consider that there just aren’t a lot of people looking for the Buddy Collettes and Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars of the world. More-serious jazz lovers and collectors know these names and even really appreciate the music, but I can’t imagine they’re artists that a lot of people go searching for on ebay. My strategy (the effectiveness of which is clearly questionable) is to throw in a big name or two like Miles Davis and then hope someone sees that and checks out my other less-exciting listings. What I typically see happen is that one or two buyers will grab 3-4 for $8 each or whatever, and are presumably quite happy to be beefing up their collection at a good price.
Buddy Collette records on obscure Italian imprints are another kettle of fish…
late 70s and 80s issues no matter who, are not moving (with a few exceptions). I guess you can throw in re-issues as well. these are things that brick and mortar stores sell all the time. it IS different on line.
Its summertime. I think things will pick up in the fall.
Well, since USPS claims to have delivered a 10″ Lucky Thompson disc that I never saw (3rd failure of USPS in 9 months), my eBay buying may be on indefinite hiatus anyway.
It’s slowed. Bid count and pricing on my watched auctions have been low.
I just wish I had that Lucky right now. I want a little deep on that auction, so the loss hurts twice.
I just spoke to a friend who does record shows. He said things are slow there as well. He said it was because the Japanese have not been showing up.
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