We Buy Used Records

Looking to sell your vinyl collection? South Metro Music is always on the hunt for quality used records. Here's what we're looking for and how the process works.

How It Works

We typically pay 30–40% of retail value for used records, depending on condition, demand, and rarity.

We prefer that you drop off your records at the shop so we have enough time to go through everything carefully and price them accurately. This ensures you get the fairest offer and we don't rush through your collection.

How drop-offs work: Bring your records to the shop during business hours. We'll take them in, go through the collection at our own pace, and contact you with an offer. Depending on the size of the collection, this may take a day or two.

Condition Requirements

We're looking for records that are clean and in good condition. Here's what we need:

  • Records must grade VG (Very Good) or better
  • Sleeves should be intact — no major seam splits, water damage, or writing
  • No excessive scratches, warps, or skip-causing damage
  • Original inner sleeves are a plus
  • Inserts, posters, and extras add value
Tip: If you can play the record and it sounds good with minimal surface noise, it's probably in the range we're looking for.

Record Grading Guide

We use the Goldmine Grading Standard, the industry standard for evaluating vinyl condition. Grades apply to both the record and the sleeve separately.

Grade Abbr. Description
Mint M Perfect, unplayed condition. Often still sealed.
Near Mint NM / M- Nearly perfect. Minimal signs of handling. The vinyl standard for "like new."
Very Good Plus VG+ Light marks that don't affect playback. Slight wear on sleeve. Still a great listening experience.
Very Good VG Visible groove wear and light scratches. Some surface noise but still very playable. This is our minimum.
Good Plus G+ Significant wear, consistent surface noise. We generally don't buy at this grade.
Good G Heavy wear, distracting noise throughout. Playable but rough.
Fair / Poor F / P Severely damaged. Skips, deep scratches, or warps. Not buyable.
Remember: We grade both the vinyl and the sleeve. A NM record in a trashed sleeve is worth less than you'd think. Keep your records stored upright in a cool, dry place for best preservation.

What We're Looking For

Generally, we're interested in records from the 1970s and later, along with select genres from the 1960s. Here's a breakdown:

Classic Rock & Hard Rock

  • Led Zeppelin
  • Pink Floyd
  • The Beatles
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Yardbirds
  • Cream / Eric Clapton
  • Jimi Hendrix
  • The Who
  • Black Sabbath
  • Deep Purple
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • The Doors
  • AC/DC
  • Aerosmith
  • Tom Petty
  • Neil Young
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • ZZ Top
  • Thin Lizzy
  • Steely Dan

Punk, Post-Punk & New Wave

  • The Ramones
  • The Clash
  • Sex Pistols
  • Dead Kennedys
  • The Misfits
  • Joy Division / New Order
  • Talking Heads
  • The Cure
  • Depeche Mode
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees
  • Blondie
  • Television

Metal & Thrash

  • Iron Maiden
  • Metallica
  • Megadeth
  • Slayer
  • Judas Priest
  • Motorhead
  • Dio
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Pantera
  • Anthrax

Jazz (The Good Stuff)

  • Miles Davis
  • Bill Evans
  • John Coltrane
  • Thelonious Monk
  • Charles Mingus
  • Art Blakey
  • Herbie Hancock
  • Wayne Shorter
  • Sonny Rollins
  • Chet Baker
  • Dave Brubeck
  • Cannonball Adderley
  • McCoy Tyner
  • Lee Morgan

Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside, and Impulse! pressings are especially desirable.

80s, 90s & Beyond

  • Prince
  • David Bowie
  • Nirvana
  • Soundgarden
  • Pearl Jam
  • Alice in Chains
  • Radiohead
  • R.E.M.
  • The Smiths / Morrissey
  • Pixies
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • Tool
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Wu-Tang Clan
  • A Tribe Called Quest
  • OutKast

Soul, Funk & R&B

  • Stevie Wonder
  • Marvin Gaye
  • Curtis Mayfield
  • Parliament / Funkadelic
  • Isaac Hayes
  • Al Green
  • James Brown
  • Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Sly and the Family Stone
  • D'Angelo
Also interested in: Original soundtracks, electronic/synth (Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Aphex Twin), indie rock, hip-hop, and pretty much anything from the 70s forward that's in good shape. When in doubt, bring it in!

What We're NOT Looking For

We love all music, but certain categories just don't move for us. We'll generally pass on:

  • Pop vocals from the 1950s and 1960s
  • Easy listening and orchestral mood music
  • Most big band and swing compilations
  • Budget label reissues and compilations
  • Records in Poor or Fair condition
  • Records with no sleeve or severely damaged sleeves
Examples of artists we typically pass on: Andy Williams, Barbra Streisand, Mitch Miller, Mantovani, Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Lawrence Welk, Herb Alpert, Roger Whittaker, Engelbert Humperdinck, 101 Strings, and similar easy listening or pop vocal artists from that era.

Ready to Sell?

Bring your records to South Metro Music during business hours. We'll take our time going through your collection and give you a fair offer. Questions? Reach out anytime.

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