Old LP Record Albums

Updated on June 11, 2012
K.M. asks from Overland Park, KS
16 answers

I finally broke down and started to tackle cleaning out my storage room - it is pretty scarey in there. While under the depths of the staircase, I found three milk crates filled with my old record albums. Completely forgot they were there.

Of course, this was a great excuse to sit and take a break and look through them. It was kind of like a walk down memory lane...

My question is: What do I do with them now?? Some of them have really cool art work on them and I can frame them for my husbands office, but there is little hope of me ever finding a record player and actually using them again. Is there a re-sale market for this? Any donation suggestions? Any value left in them???

Suggestions welcome! Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the advice so far- keep the comments coming!

I did not know that they make turntables with USB so I can record them into my computer! Love that idea! Thanks, JulieBean!

Also, like many of you, it would be hard to part with some of them and I actually do have a few punk rock and limited editions... maybe I'll sit down with a glass of wine tonight and peruse e-bay... maybe I'll hang on to some of these albums!

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Hi K.,

I worked part time at a record store for nearly 10 years, and so I have to say, if you love any of them, keep them. With LPs, you aren't likely going to get the value you feel your special ones are worth.

If you look around for a good turntable because you want them to spin again, you'll likely find one. Talk to a reputable place that does repair on turntables and sound equipment, or look on eBay. Technics has quality, dependable turntables. We love ours.

You could donate them to your local goodwill, too. Do you have a local music shop that also deals with records, or the nearest major city might have a place. Here in Portland, at least half the music shops have LPs offered. They sure aren't dead here. I have quite a collection myself of stuff I will never, ever sell. I just wouldn't get what they are worth to me!

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J.F.

answers from Omaha on

You can still buy turntables. They're actually pretty popular again! Many of them have USB connectors so you can record to CD using your computer.

There are also people out there looking to purchase LPs... I was recently at a garage sale where a guy came up and that is all he was looking for.

I've also seen people frame the covers and decorate. Take a look around Etsy for repurposing ideas.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Turntables are coming back, believe it or not! I have seen them in several
stores. It is like a tabletop "stereo." Wow that is a word I have not used in a while LOL.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

My brother in law has a pretty extensive vinyl collection. They are in immaculate condition. Sometimes when the kids and I stay with them, we get them out and play them.
There are a great many collectors out there.
Check online to research the actual albums you have to see if you can find out what they're worth.

Good luck!

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V.C.

answers from Dallas on

If you have a Half Price Books, they will buy them--but you won't get much.

1 mom found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Redding on

I have all of mine too, from the 70's mostly. No record player either, but I know you can get one if you really want one.
I bought a box of old records at a yard sale one time for a dollar and used all of the jackets as wallpaper once, it looked awesome.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Before you toss them or get rid of it, I would research the value of them.
Some, are worth a nice chunk of change.
I have seen record players/turntables that can be bought and in stores. I have seen them in stores or online. You can research that too.

Or yes, donate them or take it to those collectible/2nd hand stores.

I have some albums that are collectible. Rolling Stones and other rock band "limited edition" type issues and Punk Rock albums.

Just do a Google Search "are LP albums valuable?" I did, and there are many sites for information.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

I bought a turn table with an AM-FM radio, CD player and a cassette player recorder from Penneys about 4 yrs ago. It looks like the old 1930's style table top radio. The sound is pretty good. I also got a stand to set it on that holds the LPs.
I don't know how much you can get for old LPs, I have checked ebay and a few other sites and see them for usually $5 or less.
But Vinal is making a comeback, they last a lot longer than CD's. My musician buddies tell me that vinal is hot in Europe.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I have seen the USB turntables at COSTCO and also in the SkyMall magazine (you get on airplanes...they have a web site). I think they are in the $100 range. I have been tempted to get one many times.

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J.M.

answers from Tampa on

You could sell them. Some records sell for lots of money. Some album covers also sell well. Artists like to hang them on a wall or melt them to bend and make art. It depends what you want to do with them. I was in Sears last week and they had a record player for sale for $99. Someone might have a player and just want records. Maybe a DJ would like them? I sold mine over the years.

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes... my husband buys them (and knows of others... heck, they sell vinyls in Best Buy!) He's a huge music fan/performer. There is still a good interest in them. You can sell them on Ebay, Craigslist, yard sales or consignment. But yes, definitely people are still interested in them.

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N.P.

answers from Bloomington on

Hi K.

What type of records are they? I love old records and collect them. You could check amazon or eBay to see if they are worth anything. I suggest maybe putting them on craigslist for the lot of them.

Good luck

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I still have my old turntable, I couln't bear to part with it. I have my old LP's too.
There are some nice turntables out there now.
I haven't gotten rid of mine yet either.

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E.E.

answers from Denver on

Some of them are probably worth a LOT of $.

Ebay is a good idea and you probably have a local record shop that buys vinyl. Find out what the favorites are worth them weight that vs. how much you want to keep them.

And yes, you can still buy turn-tables. There is a whole INTENSE "vinyl is superior" subculture. : )

Have fun!

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

There is a resurgence in interest in LP's. I talked to the owner of a record (cd) store recently and asked him about how business was doing since the advances in technology - ipods, etc. He said thank god for records.

So they are worth money, if nothing else. Me, I would keep them, because nostalgia will bring them back, and I'm already considering buying a record player and starting a collection. Vinyl is the new "cool."

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