100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Checkered Records takes record grading seriously. We make sure our customers are happy with each and every record purchase by offering an exclusive 7 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE on all record albums in our store!
Photos
Like many large online record sellers, Checkered Records uses stock photos (not actual item photos) when listing record albums. Please refer to the media grade and sleeve grade when making a determination. If you have questions, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help. And as always, all of our vintage vinyl record albums come with a 7 day money back guarantee if you are not completely happy.
Checkered Records Pro Seam Restoration
Checkered Records Pro Seam Restoration increases the beauty, longevity and collectability of record albums with seam damage. If an album has had our pro seam repair applied, it will be listed in the “Sleeve Grading” section of our description. Although sleeve restorations can be difficult to spot and increase the “aesthetic grading” of an album, our shop still takes the appropriate deduction when grading. Most sleeves/albums that have undergone our professional seam repair process, will come with double sleeve protectors allowing collectors the ability to store the album and sleeve separately thus preventing the likelihood of additional damage.
Checkered Records Cover-ups
Checkered Records Pro Cover-up eliminates unsightly ink and other blemishes that detract from the overall visual appeal of a record album and/or sleeve. Checkered Records uses a combination of our own specialized cover-up stickers and collectable vintage cover-ups to increase the beauty, and overall aesthetics of our record albums. Although our cover-ups can be difficult to spot and can increase the “aesthetic grading” of an album, our shop still takes the appropriate deduction when grading. Albums/sleeves that have had our professional cover-up applied, will come with a picture on the product page to show customers what to expect. Most sleeves/albums that have undergone our professional cover-up process will come with double sleeve protectors allowing collectors the ability to store the album and sleeve separately thus preventing the likelihood of additional damage.
Record Grades
Our records are given two grades. We grade the vinyl itself (known as the Media) and the outer cover (known as the Sleeve). Our store uses a plus (+) and minus (-) system between primary record grades. Record sleeves are not given a grade. This will help you get a better idea of what to expect when ordering.
Mint (M) In flawless condition free from any defects. We never grade any vinyl album (Media) with Mint as even vintage unopened albums may have slight inner sleeve defects from acids in the paper and/or minor abrasions that develop over time.
Near Mint (NM+)
Media: Record is shiny and free from visible defects caused by handling or factory defect. There are no detracting defects or apparent wear that appear on the record label that can be seen during normal examination of the record album. There are no factory defects that affect the record’s sound quality during normal play. Record is free from surface noise that can be heard during the playing of any musical track on the album.
Sleeve: Cover is free from obvious creases, ring wear, seam splits, and other defects that can be seen during normal examination of the record album.
Near Mint (NM)
Media: Records may show very minor signs of use. For instance, there may be a few very light scuffs or faint scratches that are not audible during examination of the record. Records may show signs of very slight warping or dishing of the vinyl that have no affect on the sound quality. There are minor signs of gentle handling such as telltale light spindle marks around the center hole. Records may show unimportant factory pressing defects that do not affect the sound quality.
Sleeve: Covers have very minimal wear. Cover may have very minor seam wear or minor seam splitting (.25 inch or less) in the most vulnerable locations. Sleeve may have a minor cut-out marking. Minor defects such light adhesive/other staining, minor wear to corners, minor ring wear may be present.
Near Mint Minus (NM-)
Media: Records show slight signs of wear, including small scuff marks or scratches (usually from the dust jacket) that during close audible examination may be heard faintly but do not affect the listening experience. There may be slight warps in the disc that do not affect the sound. There are some signs of handling such as telltale spindle marks around the center hole. Records may show mild factory pressing defects that have little to no affect on the overall sound quality.
Sleeve: Sleeves have minor wear. Cover may have some very minor seam wear or minor seam splitting (.99 inch or less) in the most vulnerable locations. Sleeve may show some minor writing such as the previous owner’s name in ink or marker (usually around 2.99 inches long or less). The sleeve may have a cut-out marking, mild ring wear, mild creases, mild adhesive/other staining and mild corner wear.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Media: Records show mild signs of wear, including light scuffs or scratches that may be heard during close audible examination but do not interfere with the listener’s overall listening experience. There may be slight warps in the disc that are noticeable to the eye from a short distance but do not affect the record’s sound. There are mild to moderate signs of handling such as telltale marks around the center hole. Records may show signs of factory pressing flaws (such as luster issues) that do not affect the overall listening experience.
Sleeve: Covers show mild signs of wear. Cover may have some very minor seam wear or minor splitting (1.99 inches and less) in the most vulnerable locations. Sleeve may show some minor writing such as the previous owner’s name in ink or marker (usually around 3.99 inches long or less). The sleeve may have a cut-out marking, moderate ring wear, moderate creases, mild to moderate adhesive/other staining and or moderate corner wear.
JUST MADE THE GRADE COPY (JMTG): Is the bottom threshold of VG+
Very Good (VG)
Media: Records show moderate signs of wear, including groove wear and lack of factory-fresh gloss luster. The record will have some visible light to moderate scuff marks and/or scratches creating noticeable surface noise that can be heard during audible examination, but the noise will not overpower the music otherwise. There may be moderate warps in the disc that are noticeable but do not affect the record’s sound. There may be moderate signs of handling such as telltale marks around the center hole. Records may show signs of factory pressing flaws that are audible but do not overpower the music otherwise.
Sleeve: Covers show moderate signs of wear. Covers may have greater seam wear or splitting (2.99 inches and less) in the most vulnerable locations. Sleeve may show some signs of writing such as the previous owner’s name in ink or marker (usually around 3.99 inches long or longer). Sleeve may have moderate tape, sticker, adhesive/staining damage and or moderate corner wear.
We Sell Nothing Less Than VG Quality