Vinyl record conditions explained
Every record for sale on the secondhand market is graded using a standard scale. Here's exactly what each grade means, both as a buyer and as a seller.
M — Mint
Perfect. Never played.
Surface noise
Silent. No surface noise whatsoever.
As a buyer
Expect to pay a significant premium. Verify it's genuinely unplayed; "Mint" is often used loosely.
As a seller
Only use this grade if the record is genuinely unplayed and flawless. Sealed records only, or near enough.
NM — Near Mint
As close to perfect as a played record gets.
Surface noise
Effectively silent between tracks.
As a buyer
The best grade you'll realistically find on used records. Should play with essentially no surface noise.
As a seller
Reserve for records that have been played once or twice maximum and show zero wear under bright light.
VG+ — Very Good Plus
Excellent condition with minor signs of play.
Surface noise
Minimal. Light surface noise at most, doesn't detract from the music.
As a buyer
The sweet spot for most collectors. Sounds great, priced below NM. Look for records with no deep scratches.
As a seller
The most commonly listed grade. Be honest; if it has more than faint hairlines, it might be VG.
VG — Very Good
Clearly played. Some surface noise.
Surface noise
Noticeable surface noise, especially in quiet passages.
As a buyer
Fine for casual listening or a placeholder until you find a better copy. Not ideal for audiophile setups.
As a seller
Describe any notable marks in your listing. Buyers expect surface noise at this grade.
G+ — Good Plus
Heavy wear. Significant noise throughout.
Surface noise
Loud surface noise throughout the record.
As a buyer
Only worth buying if it's a rare pressing you can't find in better condition.
As a seller
Price accordingly, very low. Most buyers will only consider this for ultra-rare pressings.
G — Good
Played heavily. May have skips.
Surface noise
Heavy noise, possible skips.
As a buyer
Buy only for rare pressings as a last resort.
As a seller
Disclose any skips. Some collectors want these for restoration projects.
F — Fair
Major defects. Barely playable.
Surface noise
Severe throughout.
As a buyer
Almost never worth it unless you're buying for the sleeve or label.
As a seller
Rarely listed. Be completely transparent about condition.
P — Poor
Does not play properly.
Surface noise
N/A.
As a buyer
Display only, or parts.
As a seller
Essentially unsellable as a playable record.
How dollrbin uses these grades
When you filter by condition on dollrbin, selecting "VG+" shows all records graded VG+ or better, so you'll also see NM and M listings. This means you never miss a better copy. Every purchase is protected: if a record arrives in significantly worse condition than listed, you can open a dispute before the seller's payout is released.
If you receive a record and believe the condition doesn't match the listing, we encourage you to message the seller first. Many grading disagreements can be resolved through direct communication. If you can't reach a resolution, you can open a dispute from your order page within 48 hours of delivery.