Grading Guide
Understanding Our Grades
Our grading system uses a two-part rating (e.g. VG/EX), where the first grade indicates the sleeve's condition and the second grade indicates the media/disc's condition. If there is only one grade preceded by a slash (e.g. /EX), this indicates the item has no picture sleeve and so only shows the media/disc's condition. Vinyl records that aren't in picture sleeves will either be in a company sleeve or a generic plain sleeve. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Grade Definitions
Each of our items are carefully visually graded using the following system. Any significant visual defects will be noted in individual item descriptions. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the grading or play condition of specific items.
MINT (10/10)
Sleeve: Perfect condition with no wear. No corner dings, seam splits, or marks.
Disc: Perfect condition. No visible marks, scuffs, or fingerprints even under bright light. Appears unplayed.
EXCELLENT PLUS (EX+) (9/10)
Sleeve: Nearly perfect with only the slightest signs of handling. No seam splits or writing.
Disc: Nearly pristine appearance. May show the slightest signs of handling under close inspection.
EXCELLENT (EX) (8/10)
Sleeve: Well looked after, clean, only slight signs of use. Light corner wear possible. No seam splits or significant creases.
Disc: May have light signs of handling, but is well looked after and clean. Any faint surface marks visible only under bright light.
EXCELLENT MINUS (EX-) (7/10)
Sleeve: Some noticeable but still minor wear. May have light ring wear, creasing or minor corner wear. No major seam splits.
Disc: More visible signs of handling. May have light hairlines or scuffs visible under normal light.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) (6/10)
Sleeve: Obvious signs of handling but still displays well. May have ring wear, corner wear and/or some creasing.
Disc: Some visible hairlines and signs of handling, but no deep marks.
VERY GOOD (VG) (5/10)
Sleeve: Worn appearance. May have some ring wear, corner dings, creasing, old price stickers, writing and/or minor tears.
Disc: Used appearance with visible hairlines and/or paper scuffs. May have multiple marks visible under normal light.
VERY GOOD MINUS (VG-) (4/10)
Sleeve: Heavier wear. Will have one or more seam splits, creasing, tears and/or writing.
Disc: Notable scuffing and marks clearly visible under normal light.
GOOD (G) (3/10)
Sleeve: Significant wear throughout. May have multiple seam splits, creases, tears and/or heavy writing.
Disc: Heavily marked surface.
FAIR (F) (2/10)
Sleeve: Major condition issues. May have major seam splits, tears, creasing and/or writing. Only good for collection filler until you find a better copy.
Disc: Numerous deep marks and scuffs clearly visible. Only good for collection filler until you find a better copy.
POOR (P) (1/10)
Sleeve: Severe deterioration. May be splitting apart or heavily stained.
Disc: Extensive damage across the surface.