| The music industry is an ever changing business entity. | | | | 'brick and mortar' store for more than nine years, she |
| Slowly, CDs are disappearing as the format of choice | | | | sold her business and has been supplying fine vinyl |
| and the sales leader of retail music. However, there is | | | | records online with her web site and as an ebay |
| an old and friendly favorite emerging for millions of | | | | 'Power Seller.' |
| music lovers and competing for that almighty music | | | | However one of the obstacles of the business is |
| dollar. | | | | actually finding records to sell, Laura is always looking |
| Vinyl records are back, as the youth of today are | | | | for collections. |
| finding the listening experience is greatly enriched when | | | | "I buy collections from individuals and estates," explains |
| utilizing this historic music medium. In fact, the resurgent | | | | Laura. "Three years ago I bought an incredible large |
| vinyl record market shows no signs of a slowdown. | | | | collection (6,000 records) from a music critic. Finding |
| Nielsen SoundScan has released estimated figures | | | | collections is the most challenging part of my business. I |
| that indicate that sales of vinyl in the US are up 50% | | | | am always looking for large collections of vinyl records |
| through the first five months of 2009. The counting | | | | (LPs and 45s) and music memorabilia, especially from |
| giant also predicts that vinyl record sales will reach | | | | people who have been in the music business; music |
| over 2.7 million units sold in 2009; up from 1.9 million units | | | | critics, former record company folks or broadcasters. I |
| in 2008. | | | | am mainly interested in 1950's & 1960's jazz, blues, |
| To be fair, these numbers are somewhat | | | | rock, soul and country and will travel for large |
| underestimated because of the sale of used vinyl in | | | | collections. I also offer finder's fees for tips that lead to |
| our ever shrinking record stores. Additionally, they don't | | | | the purchase of large collections." |
| count some of the independent record stores where | | | | Laura also explained some of the advantages & |
| vinyl sells the best. However, there is a new vinyl | | | | disadvantages of selling online. |
| model emerging, places where millions do their 'vinyl | | | | "The advantage of selling on line is that I can receive |
| shopping,' the online record store. Although shopping | | | | orders 24 hours a day and I have an international |
| online can never replace the experience of visiting your | | | | clientele. A record store has limited hours, it has to be |
| local record store, vinyl consumers can visit hundreds | | | | staffed and it has a limited geographical reach. One of |
| of online record sellers and find records that may not | | | | the disadvantages of selling online is shipping records |
| be offered at their local store, such as rare imports, | | | | by media mail within the United States. The post office |
| picture discs, boxed sets or obscure releases from | | | | claims that it takes 4-14 days to ship by media mail, but |
| other countries. There are websites that cater to | | | | it can take up to three weeks or longer. Most people |
| strictly jazz, some that offer classic rock or | | | | don't realize how long it takes, and we do get |
| psychedelic music, rap or R&B, and some that | | | | occasional e-mails from angry customers asking |
| deal with 45rpm records; why they still sell 78 rpm | | | | where is my order?" |
| records for those who are in need of this rustic | | | | Tell us more about your online business. |
| medium. There are some that specialize in audiophile | | | | "We carry multiple genres of music including jazz, rock, |
| vinyl, rare and out-of-print records as well. But most | | | | blues, country, and soul and have over 10,000 records |
| online vinyl retailers offer an eclectic array of music to | | | | in stock. I would say that the jazz and rock LPs are |
| choose from and millions of music lovers are now | | | | our bestsellers. We grade conservatively according to |
| satisfying their musical palette and finding the online | | | | the Goldmine Magazine Standards and the highest |
| record website to suit their needs. | | | | grade we give a record would be near mint (NM)," |
| Let's explore this phenomenon in greater detail with the | | | | explained Laura. "As an ebay power seller (seller |
| owner of Laura Miller, who started in the music | | | | name is littlelam), I am very careful about grading |
| business as a DJ at KVMR, a community radio station | | | | records." |
| in Nevada City, California; so she has a keen | | | | There are literally hundreds of vinyl retailers online who |
| understanding and love for the format. | | | | carry on this tradition of offering quality used vinyl at |
| "I felt compelled to open a record store and as a vinyl | | | | reasonable prices. Record buyers must weed out the |
| enthusiast wanted to help people find reasonable vinyl | | | | best and worst and the great aspect of this retailing |
| records at a reasonable price," explained Laura. | | | | method is that it is quite easy to find an online vendor |
| She started in the business of selling vinyl records in | | | | that suits your needs. Now, if they can only be |
| 1988 near Sacramento, California, running a retail store | | | | counted.... |
| named "In The Groove Records." After operating the | | | | |