Product Grading System
This guide is to explain how Spin and Flip grades USED products we sell. At this time, this guide is for used vinyl records and CDs, but can also be applied to our used DVD, Blu-ray, VHS, cassette tape, and 8-track tape products. If you have questions, please contact us and wait for a response before you make a purchase.
Our grading system is similar to Discogs, but not exact. We believe our system is “streamlined” and easier to understand than some other grading models.
Our grading system is to help the customer understand the present condition of a used (pre-owned) item to set general expectations on the physical and/or technical quality. Our grading is not meant to be an exact representation of the the product or its abilities. Instead, it offers general information that can cover a range of product types and provide descriptors for common imperfections a customer may encounter with any used/previously owned product.
In an effort to be fair and as accurate as realistically possible, we typically grade down. This means we critique our used inventory with a critical eye, so the customer receives the best quality product as possible.
Our grading system is specially for the product itself and not the packaging, cover, case, insert, booklet, poster, or other materials that may come with the product. Instead, we offer a general written descriptor in the description on the product page if additional items come with the product. In some cases we may provide a general descriptor on the condition of those materials.
Please keep in mind, per our Returns and Refunds Policy, used items are NOT eligible for refunds and Spin and Flip does NOT offer exchanges. Again, please use this guide to your discretion and contact us at support@spinandflip.com and wait for a response before you make a purchase if you have questions on the condition of a used item. All used items are clearly identified as used in the product title and again in the product description. USED ITEMS ARE NEVER LISTED AS NEW (or mint).
Grades
Poor
Good
Very Good
Near Mint
Mint (New)
POOR
Products graded Poor are NEVER put in stock for sale. Poor graded products ARE usable but enjoyment of the media is affected due to the high concentration of imperfections (e.g. deep scratches on vinyl records or moderate warping that causes skipping and distortion of sound when played.). At this time, Spin and Flip solely operates on spinandflip.com, Discogs, eBay, and Amazon, and thus we not able to give away Poor graded products for free. This may be an option for in person sales when we move to our brick and mortar storefront in the future.
GOOD
Products graded Good are NEVER put in stock for sale on spinandflip.com or the third-party marketplaces we list products such as Discogs, eBay, and Amazon. Products graded Good will be available only for in person sales when we move to our brick and mortar storefront in the future. Products graded Good are in satisfactory condition. Erring on the side of caution we note that enjoyment may be minimally affected. Typically, these types of products have an abundance of scratches, some minimal to moderate skipping, distortion, pops, and/or noise.
VERY GOOD
Products graded Very Good make up the bulk of our used (pre-owned) products listed for sale on spinandflip.com and third-party marketplaces such as Discogs and eBay. These products may or may not have visible imperfections that range from minimal to moderate, however, these imperfections do not affect quality of enjoyment for the user. In terms of audio dominate media such as vinyl record, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray–Customers can expect to see either no visible imperfections at all OR see light to moderate scratches, scuff marks, and/or spots. Customers can expect to hear either no imperfections at all during play OR hear light to moderate static, noise, and/or pops during play. In terms of visual dominate media such DVD, Blu-ray, and VHS–Customers can expect to see either no visible imperfections at all during play OR see minimal to moderate visual imperfections such as color degradation, haze, fuzz, pixelation, skipping, or freezing.
NEAR MINT
Products graded Near Mint are rare, but are available for sale on our spinandflip.com and third-party marketplaces such as Discogs and eBay. These are always considered used (pre-owned) products. Products graded Near Mint do not have visible or audible imperfections. These products typically appear to have never been used or were handled with extreme care. They may or may not come sealed or in their original packaging and shrink wrap, if applicable. Often times these are product returns that have never been opened and never used OR they are new products that have been downgraded to Near Mint due to the imperfections caused by shipping and handling mishaps (i.e. tears in original packaging and/or shrink wrap. Or cosmetic dents, bends, folds, tears, cracks in product packaging but not the product itself.). Playback of these products should always be flawless (unless an unknown manufacturing defect is present) since they are in like new condition.
MINT (NEW)
Products graded Mint (i.e. New) are ALWAYS new products. We list products graded Mint for sale on spinandflip.com, Discogs, eBay, and Amazon. We will NEVER list a used, previously owned, returned, or open box product as Mint. Mint products should always be in flawless visual and audible condition from the product itself to the packaging. However, we want to provide a disclaimer that in rare instances a Mint product may come with unknown manufacturer defects or have physical imperfections to the packaging, cover, or casing, or even the product itself due to matters beyond our control, such as mishaps during shipping and handling. We will never knowingly list or ship a Mint product that has manufacturing defects, product recalls, imperfections, or damage. If you believe you have received a Mint product that has been compromised due to poor practices from the shipper, please contact us for support. If you believe you have received a used, opened, or damaged product that was purchased as Mint, please contact us for support.
Process For Grading Products
Our process for grading the used media we list for sale primarily consists of a visual inspection after a basic clean of the product. However, in most cases we do play test used media. We are a small independently owned operation, thus due to the abundance of inventory and lack of manpower, we cannot play test all of the media in our possession–though we aim to play test as much product as possible.
The process is simple, we remove the product from is packaging/cover/case and do a basic clean using safe products such as distilled water, record or CD cleaning solution, and/or a mild dish soap. Products are gently cleansed by hand or with tools such as brushes, wipes, lint free clothes, or an ultrasonic cleaner, when necessary. Often times used products come in their original packaging or case and we will do a gentle wipe down of those materials ensuring to not damage them.
We try to sell products with their original packaging, cases, covers, inserts, booklets, posters, etc. when possible. In some instances, we may have to dispose of materials due to poor condition or hazardous substances such as mildew and mold. Typically, we trash any product that is found to be infested with mold or other undesirable and unsafe substances.
In some instances, we replace inner sleeves with a new basic paper sleeve to protect the record (we may leave in the original damaged sleeve if it contains a track-list or photos), a new plastic jewel case for CDs and cassette tapes, a new basic plastic case for DVDs and Blu-rays, paper (cardboard) outer covers for vinyl records, and clear plastic outer protective sleeves for vinyl records.
How We Handle Rare Pressings Or Unique Variants
We do NOT grade rare pressings, unique variants, or speciality products different from non-rare or non-speciality products. To be frank, unless an item stands out as being an rare pressing, we don’t bother checking or treat it any different! Our goal is to price our inventory to sell and get it into customer hands. We are a retail store; we are NOT a museum, collector, or appraiser.
What If I Am Looking For A Particular Pressing, Matrix Number, Runout Etching, Variant, etc.?
You are welcome to contact usprior to making a purchase to confirm we have what you’re looking for. However, there is no guarantee the product you will receive will have the specific information you seek or be the product you’re searching for. There is no guarantee we will honor your request to search for that particular pressing, matrix number, runout etching, variant, etc. in our inventory, but we will try our best.
I Disagree with the Grading Of My Purchase. Now What?
As we stated above, our grading system is meant to provide a general idea of the condition of the used products we carry. It cannot and is not meant to be a 100% accurate depiction of the product or its ability. We grade down in an effort to pleasantly surprise and satisfy the customer as realistically possible. Per our Returns and Refunds Policy, returns and refunds of used products is NOT accepted. Customers agree they are purchasing used products at their own discretion.