I buy records, yes… but I’m not a writer

Yes, there will spelling mistakes, wayward commas and illegal use of grammar… but I want to share my love of buying and selling records.

I’m Joel and I run Brighter Day Record Shop - an Essex-based record shop with a difference.

I buy second-hand collections, go through them, keep most of them, and then find loving homes for the rest.

And what I hope to do here is speak about this passion of mine.

I worked for 20 years in the music industry and after sobering up after partying a bit too much I decided to retrain to become a psychotherapist.

I now have begun my practice and also run Brighter Day.

I am happy.

So follow my journey and my vinyl adventures here.

If you’re on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram you can follow my adventures there.

Oh… and if you have any records for sale, give me a call 07455680866.

Oi Joel! What are my options in selling my records?

I've been in and around the music industry for more than two decades now, and have seen all sorts of musical trends come and go (minidiscs anyone?). 

Steadily over the last 10 years, there's been a huge vinyl resurgence. 

And, why wouldn't there be?

It is the best format after all.

I've been collecting records since I was 15, my first a tatty copy of Appetite Of Destruction (and yes… it is the greatest record of all time!)

A few years ago I was in a position where I could combine my hobby and passion for collecting records, with my working life - something that has helped me hugely in my goal to become a both a good enough psychotherapist and a good enough vinyl dealer.

So, I thought I'd share some tips on how and where to sell your records (if your first port of call isn't Bright Day obviously!).

Discogs

Discogs has long been the record buyer (and seller's) first port of call. From a selling perspective it is simple to list your stock, and make sure you've got the exact copy.

For a seasoned pro, it's a valuable tool for selling records, but if you're new to selling records you have to take into consideration a number of different elements, such as the grading (or condition) of records (which I will blog about soon).

Novice or pro you will still have to sort out the postage once you've sold the records and deal with buyers directly, so for people just aiming to sell their collections quickly it can become time consuming.

eBay

Clearly, eBay is one of the biggest selling platforms in the world and therefore garners huge traffic. It's relatively cheap to sell through, but you have similar issues as Discogs in terms of grading, postage and time that for an amateur record seller can be a drain. eBay regularly do special offers for listings so it can be more cost effective than Discogs.

Facebook Marketplace

So, there are no fees involved so it is one of the cheaper options, but anyone who has tried to sell anything on Facebook will be well aware of timewasters.

With Discogs and eBay you don't get this as often, but for whatever reason Facebook Marketplace seems to bring out the more discourteous side in some and timewasting is an occupational hazard of using the platform

Your social channels (and website if you have one)

Again, the benefits of trying to sell vinyl on your website or socials is the only real cost is time (if you exclude hosting fees etc on the website side of things), however the major pitfall here is not having the following or audience the first three platforms can offer.

People are searching Facebook, Discogs and eBay for vinyl, but they're less likely to find them on your individual profile - unless you've a lot of clout.

Finally...your friendly local record store in Essex

BRIGHTER DAY RECORD SHOP! (ME! ME! ME!)

Now, clearly I'm biased here, but I'd love to buy your records.

Why? Because I love vinyl, I also love giving records that haven't been played in years a new lease of life, either by keeping them myself or selling them on to my dedicated vinyl loving customers.

All you have to do is give me a call, text, whatsapp, email, send a carrier pigeon to Loughton and I'll arrange a viewing at a time that suits you.

You won't have the postage cost, the back and forth with buyers online, the Facebook timewasters.

I won't cherrypick the best handful in your collection (though I may keep these ones for myself to enjoy!) if a deal can be done, I'll take all of your unwanted records.

And here's the final bit, I pay cash. And, because of the way I operate, I am able to pay more than many - if not all - of other local record stores you might see online.

So, if you are looking to sell a collection of records, I'd love to have a conversation with you. And, if we can't work something out, I hope the advice above is of some use.