Roots Archives Forum

Hello to the Roots Archive clan!

In the last couple of days I have been digging through a lot of my old records, climbing up into lofts, looking at more records, raking through my brothers cupboards, and looking at even more records.

All this fun has turned up a few records which are valued quite highly on various websites - GEMM, Discogs and the unescapeable EBay - and so I am tempted to try and sell them on.

The thing is, I've tried selling stuff online before, and I've encountered two problems -

1) Records which are quite rare (runs of 1000 or less) by cult artists aren't really suited to auctions - you're relying on fans checking out that item in the short space of time that it is listed.

2) I consistently get less for my records than other sellers - I've seen other copies of the same record sell for more than double what I got for my copy. Heck, I've even had to sell supposedly collectible records for less than what I paid for them!

So I was wondering if anyone here had any tips or advice? I'm not planning to make a killing, but it would be nice to make some money!

And no, I'm not selling any of my sweet sweet reggae - it's mostly old indie and a few funk things.

(FAO Roots Archive Mods - I know you took down the sale section of the site, but I'm NOT trying to sell anything on here - I'm just looking for advice. Still, take this down if you think it will cause ructions and trouble)

On ebay, seller's reputation make a lot, just look outonthefloor, this guy can sell the same record than you for 20£ more.

if youre concerned, put a reserve and/or a high initial bid on your items. yes it will cost more, in some cases a lot more, but you will not "have" to sell them for less than you want to.

dont count GEMM as a price guide, in my experience they are dreaming just as much as ernie b is.

another funny thing happens: someone strikes gold on ebay by selling a record for a lot and then everyone with that record attempts to sell it. usually they dont get half what the original person got. dont know why other than flooding of the market but seems to happen even if it is only the second of those records being offered.

and reputation counts for something on ebay...people seem more likely to dump big money for sellers with established reps or some other reason. also dont count out that some sellers might be bidding their records up on the sly. often backfires but will look like the record sold for lots but it never even changed hands. also unbeknownst to you you might have a repress and everyone knows it except you. its possible you know...

good luck, ive never had much luck buying or selling records on ebay. the record aisles are filled with flakes. "buyers" who dont pay and "sellers" who are rip off merchants.

one love
jah bill