Comments on: The Great Jazz Vinyl Countdown, Ad Infinitum

By: Geraldine

Geraldine — Tue, 20 May 2025 21:49:37 +0000

Interesting reading your site’s articles. I inherited a large LP collection and have talked to some of these people you mentioned, like Carolina Soul. It’s interesting your talking about the differences in the way you grade, and Carolina Soul, and the responses to ebay auctions, like returns and whether your LPs were downgraded or not. It’s always safer for a seller to downgrade an item rather than have a dissatisfied customer. Since the collection I inherited was not only LPs, but also movie memorabilia, which I’ve started to auction off, I’ve learned a little about the ebay direct selling vs. the auction house route. I haven’t made any decisions about the LPS. Well, correction, I made a deal but the buyer made it a point to become personal “friends,” then dragged out the deal ’cause he had problems getting $$ out of his divorce settlement, then left me hanging, which is why I still have the LPs and am mulling over offers. Trust is the big issue. Finding and developing relationships with people you can trust is the key. Consigning pieces, and getting paid. Thank you for posting your stories.

By: kyle

kyle — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 22:04:26 +0000

Aloha Al, thank you for your reply. I appreciate your feedback. Everybody has a story as you know when it comes to this wonderful music, how one got started in building their library, etc. I’m blessed to know many still alive from the early days of bop, that have mentored me and others, that now are thinning down their collections. I told one friend, that blessed me with some of his records he purchased as a young man in the 50’s and 60’s that I always want to be fair in prices to him when he has something that he thinks I will cherish. He has many of the main ones, hard to get that you’ve brought up here and took such care of his vinyl. I want him to get fair market value if possible for the LPs he’s willing to let go, so it helps him with living expenses and care costs. I really hope this Carolina Soul experience works out well for you as I may tell my friend this could be a good option for him too. Sorry to ramble, I really appreciate you going through this, not easy to do and allow us to be apart of the journey as it is helping many as well. Mahalo!

By: David

David — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:20:58 +0000

My experience with Carolina Soul is different. I’ve found that their grading varies widely from purchase to purchase; sometimes over, sometimes under. It had gotten so bad that I didn’t buy from them at all for about a year. Grading consistency is much better lately, however, but the situation has not resolved itself. Maybe one of the folks grading was replaced or trained better – I don’t know. They are generous on returns so if I’m really unhappy I just ask to send the record back. I should note that lately I buy from them two to three times per month so I have a fairly large sample to reference. I should also note, and to be fair, that they are selling about 1000 or so records per week, so there is a lot more opportunity for error than a seller who’s only moving about 100 or so per week.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:19:52 +0000

Thank you Maarten. The good feelings are mutual. 🙂

Kyle, in my experience, Carolina Soul is taking care of the shipping costs, eBay fees, eBay taxes, etc., but I can’t speak for everyone. I have a feeling Jason at Carolina Soul may be looking at these posts and comments (just a feeling), so if my feeling is accurate perhaps he would like to add something.

By: Mark Hall

Mark Hall — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:22:12 +0000

Plenty of nice records on Ebay ,thanks for sharing your journey Al, if this auction is successful for CS, i;m sure he will have no problem buying the other records

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 01:35:00 +0000

It’s too bad that an experienced seller feels obligated to undergrade, presumably for fear of incurring negative feedback. Better to state the condition truthfully and accurately.

By: kyle

kyle — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:01:29 +0000

Aloha Al, thank you for this jazz site and sharing your experiences with us. I think numbers that you and Carolina Soul discussed can stay private, especially in an open forum such as this. What I would like to know if possible, what typically are the consignment fees and does that include everything on the seller side: shipping costs, ebay taxes and fees, etc. I ask because not only have I thought about contacting CS in the past for myself but I help with seniors as well. Many have record collections and if I can get them in touch with a CS type that is helpful as many of these people have additional care costs, etc. I don’t want some “used car salesperson” type coming in and paying pennies on the dollars then flipping them for $100’s/$1000’s of dollars when that could have gone to helping the original owner. I’m all for free market enterprise but can’t stand those that take advantage of others. Thank you again. Mahalo!

By: rl1856

rl1856 — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:03:13 +0000

In my experience CS under grades by at least a “+” if not a full grade. IE their “VG” is generally a “VG+” or “EX” upon receipt. However their reputation is spreading and they are among the preferred vendors who receive top of the market bids on Ebay.

By: maarten kools

maarten kools — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:42:21 +0000

I for one do appreciate your honest posts on jazzcollector, it’s personal, sympathetic, correct and always
with a tongue in cheek… as a jazzcollector and jazz fan i can relate to your stories and confessions.
Thank you for sharing Al

I wish you best of luck with the sale of your little friends!
(please give my compliments to the lovely Mrs. JC for preventing you from selling your birthday-mosaics and have regretted it the rest of your live)

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:51:06 +0000

Time flies! I joined eBay in March of 1998 but a friend of mine joined in 1997 even. eBay was really fun and easy to use back then…over time it became more and more difficult to sell on there unfortunately.