Vinyl Junkies …

From the guys I saw, the impression is of middle-aged, not-badly-off guys hauling off sacks that they can put on Discogs as more pocket money than something that feeds the kids. Either way, reselling is not materially different to ticket touting, a lot of genuine fans queued for hours for releases they didn't get, and they pollute the whole vibe and purpose of the event.

(Edit: kl beat me to it)

In defence of the middle aged not badly off guys (or manboys), most of us have been collecting records since our childhood and we might just be buying a lot more records than we need or can play in what short time remains on earth!

If you go to record fairs you'll see manboys spending big bucks and they're unlikely to be turning a profit based on record fair prices.

If you are in your 30's and building a collection I can understand the frustration but once the kids have stopped draining the finances and the mortgage is paid there's a bit more cash for time consuming hobbies.

What I don't understand is why most of the albums are of interest aside from limited availability and the possibility of a price squeeze.

Despite what I've said about major labels, they have every one of their top albums in a current version at all times (occasionally awaiting a repress) and often they are decent pressings. I suppose they are less inclined to rush them. The obscure stuff that's on RSD release is either going for more money on Discogs because it's limited or is on offer this week through distributors.

In defence of the middle aged not badly off guys

I've no issue with those guys - I do own a mirror - collecting is fine, and if they get the kids out they actually get to listen to the records rather than Baby Shark, it's the reselling buy-to-flip aspect.

The interest, for me, was getting stuff that had been out of print forever or hadn't had vinyl releases. Funky coloured vinyl also gets me unnecessarily excited.

Interesting stats from Discogs recently showing buyers by age. Younger buyers avoiding coloured vinyl because it's unnecessarily expensive and often lower quality pressings.

I'll have to have a closer look at the sellers on Discogs to see if they look like retail flippers. I recognise a lot of the sellers who are getting their stock from the same distribution network I do because they are always listing around the same time I'm getting mine on the shelf.

I understand people creaming their pants over a deluxe reissue or something that hasn't been available for a long time but most of the stuff I see is just lame mainstream crap... A mate of mine travels the world buying rare records, he got paid to come over to Oz a couple of years back to chat about an old band he was in and he spent a fortune on Aussie garage stuff while he was here... I'm talking tens of thousands of pounds!!

His kids have left home, mortgage is paid, it's a great hobby for him... He has some exquisite and eye wateringly rare 60s psyche/garage/punk/freakbeat stuff...

That's why I scratch my head about RSD stuff. It's just too obvious to be called rare and the labels will repress any 'limited' item if they see it bubble up on the after market.

When you go to record fairs and see £5k prices on properly lovely old psyche stuff you can understand the attraction. Some of the 1st pressings of Blue Note classics are that price now.

I'm spending money but I look at the serious collectors and wonder why I'm not doing that, other than it would probably break me!

Lovely gift from a pal. Could be a dangerous rabbit hole to fall down!

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Worth it though. This kind of pressing has proved to be the best value for me. You just have to be patient getting hold of them otherwise it's expensive.

I drastically reduced my vinyl consumption when I stopped DJing, now I buy guitars! 🤷‍♂️ It becomes so all consuming, I used to be on the internet all the time throwing in catalogue numbers and seeing what came back... It was great sport but discogs kinda killed all that, very few bargains to be had anymore...

I used to buy shitloads of vinyl on holiday, they would turn into record buying trips really... Nothing worse than spending four hours trawling through dusty boxes of unpriced 45s in a junk shop and then the guy behind the counter pulls out a price guide... Made that mistake too many times... I don't really enjoy digging through racks now, PTSD... 😆

I've built a whole studio of equipment which I don't have enough time for because of my vinyl habit!

I had a lot of work to do when a friend left 2500 records which I handled for his family. That started a whole load of problems for me and then I completely fell off the wagon when I opened an account with a distro. I definitely have it bad.

Vinyl Junkies looking for a hit over the next few weeks could do worse than check out the new Hoga Nord box set. Due for release late June. 10 x 12" in a box. The content seems really decent from the clips I've heard. I have nothing to do with this release aside from ordering one :-

https://hoganordrekords.bandcamp.com/album/hnrbox004-h-ga-nord-100-the-effect-will-last-forever

Yes, that's the problem, it should be easy to get right. I'm sure my frustration is evident because this series could have been huge, these are all the titles anyone needs from Blue Note with the right mastering engineer at the right time and someone or something is scratching 3 out of 4 records by my count, how this doesn't show up on the radar is beyond me.

Either I've been lucky (or less fussy), but I've had no issues with Blue Note 80th Anniversary/Classic series or the Tone Poets. My main issue with the Classic series is actually getting hold of them.

Blue Note 75th anniversary stuff was appalling though.

It could be the titles are different. My distro had to wait months for the 80th anniversary stuff. The Tone Poets I've had some good ones but there weren't many I wanted. Maybe I'm fussy but I'm comparing them with Speakers Corner for the same money they were nowhere near as good.

Heads Up UK vinyl junkies. Just received a notice of price increases from Warners (that's Rhino and loads of other sub labels). Price increases coming 9th July. They are horrible, 30% seems standard, some are up 50%. Must be Brexit + Pandemic + Greed but it's savage. Expect all the majors to follow suit.

Arrived today. Very slight warp but a beautiful pressing - virtually silent. Absolutely gorgeous album. Highly recommend to anyone.

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Anyone plumping for the 4 disc Strut release of Sun Ra Lanquidity released today?

I'm tempted but for £50 I'll stick to the single disc version.

Not quite sure what to make of this and what it means in practice:

https://blog.discogs.com/en/uk-eu-vat-changes-on-discogs/

https://www.discogs.com/forum/thread/882160

I think i'll pick it up, i mean I could save ten times as mcuh and get and orig.

I think just like eBay is now showing (where applicable - like Japanese imports) +VAT on top of the postage cost, that Discogs will be adding VAT when ordering from EU and other applicable countries. I've seen it mention on Etsy and many other websites, plus emails from DHL and other carriers too. Way to boost trade. Not!

Recent pickup. The other side has probably the best coki tune ever made.

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Another recent pickup. Something a bit different

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Got that, stone cold classic.

I have actually got a copy of DMZ001 through to DMZ030 plus a lot of the other DMZ/Mystikz stuff on other labels.

I think I prefer this though (also have a copy).

https://youtu.be/aMV8XlY7WzQ

Lol.

https://blog.discogs.com/en/uk-eu-vat-changes-on-discogs/

Has anyone bought from a European seller on Discogs since Brexit? I have been avoiding doing so but still loads of tunes on my want list are only appearing from European sellers.