Two grading systems are used. Visual Grading and Playing Grading. With Visual Grading the record is inspected by eye for faults, Playing Grading is when the record is played and the ear, and eyes used to inspect for faults.
Note - unless specified all gradings are Playing Grading. Visual Grading is identified by a (v) in the grading and also the words Visual Grade in the description.
Never opened. Flawless, with no damage whatsoever.
Has been opened, but is still flawless with no damage whatsoever.
Vinyl & CD: No visible marking / scuffing / scratches & plays perfectly.
CD: ("VG+" grade not used. "EX" or "VG" used instead.)
Vinyl: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear but will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only "barely detectable" crackles or pops. A slight noise at the beginning is allowable, but the remainder must be nearly flawless. Definitely no scratches or gouges that a touch with a dry finger can feel.
Cover: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.
"VG++" is sometimes used as an intermediate grade between VG+ and M-.
CD: Visible scratches but plays perfectly all the way through.
Vinyl: May crackle, pop or make other annoying noises, but only occasionally,never continuously, and not more loudly than the music being listened to.
Cover: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams. If there is abnormal damage such as tears or markings, but the seller still feels that it qualifies as a "VG", the damage must be described in comments attached to the item.
CD: one or more tracks skip.
Vinyl: May have continuous low level crackles, pops, etc... but not so loud as to make the music completely unlistenable or unenjoyable to the casual listener. Might also have "nasty little scratch" causing popping on one or two more songs, with the rest of record playing fine.
Cover: More than normal wear and tear.
See description.
See description
CD: Has been opened, but is still flawless with no damage whatsoever
Vinyl: No signs of scratches or surface wear.
Cover: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.
CD: Surface marks.
Vinyl: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear. Definitely no scratches or gouges that a touch with a dry finger can feel.
Cover: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams. If there is abnormal damage such as tears or markings, but the seller still feels that it qualifies as a "VG", the damage must be described in comments attached to the item.
CD: Visible scratches.
Vinyl: Nasty little scratch or scratches or other bad surface damage.
Cover: More than normal wear and tear.
See description.
See description