How We Grade Media
How We Are Grading Our Media.
Mint (M) Vinyl
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. CD Perfect. No scuffs/scratches, un-played - possibly still sealed. Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Perfect. No wear, marks, or any other imperfections - possibly still sealed. Cassette J-Card is crisp, clean and perfect in every way. Likely sealed. Cassette is brand new, and professionally produced. Used sparingly as a grade, should be free of even the slightest blemishes and/or defects.
Near Mint (NM or M-) Vinyl A nearly perfect record. A NM or M- The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc. CD Near perfect. But it has been handled very carefully. Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Near Perfect. No obvious wear, it may have only the slightest of marks from handling. Cassette Sleeve should be totally crisp and clean with only the slightest evidence of handling. Tape is likely new, free of any wear or damage.
Very Good Plus (VG+) Vinyl A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Slight scuffs or very light scratches. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". The label may have some ring wear or discoloration. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. In general. CD A few minor scuffs/scratches. Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Slight wear, marks, indentations, it may possibly have a cut-out hole (or similar).Cassette Sleeve has slight wear, marks, indentations, and/or may possibly have a cut-out hole (or similar). Should play cleanly with minimal noise or degradation.
Very Good (VG) Vinyl Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. CD Quite a few light scuffs/scratches, or several more-pronounced scratches. This has obviously been played, but not handled as carefully as a VG+. Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: More wear, marks, indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a small tear/rip, or some writing. Cassette Sleeve will contain more wear, marks, and/or indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a small tear/rip, or some writing. Shell may have heavier marks and wear than VG including plastic discoloration. Should play with some stronger hiss or degradation, but not enough to overpower music.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+) Vinyl It will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. Noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback. CD There are a lot of scuffs/scratches. However it will still play through without problems. This has not been handled with much care at all. Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Well worn, marked, more obvious indentations, fading, writing, than a VG - possibly a more significant tear/rip. Cassette Sleeve will be well worn, marked, and contain obvious indentations, fading, and/or writing, more so than a VG grade - possibly a more significant tear/rip. Tape will have heavy wear on shell. Felt stopper may be missing. Tape may have minor creasing, but not broken. Must play through, may have heavier degradation that will overpower music.
Generic "generic" refers to a type of sleeve that is not specific to the release. A generic sleeve is either a plain sleeve or a company sleeve with standard company artwork. A sleeve that is graded as "generic" needs no further grading, as a generic sleeve generally adds little value to the item and can be easily replaced. Sellers can further specify a generic sleeve's condition in the “Item condition comment” field if needed.