Last year I sold almost half my LPs and am still spending the credit I accrued. After over fifty years of collecting, I finally realized I had more than enough music to listen to. Streaming also helped in this decision. Going through my LPs, I realized just how many I bought to "try out" that only ever got a few plays. With streaming, I can listen to an album once or a thousand times. I think every collector goes through this at some point. When you're ready, cull your collection and enjoy the profits while you're still around.
There are two takeaways from this. One that if vinyl sales go down too low. Labels will stop putting new albums on vinyl. Two, if the appearance of vinyl being not interesting gets popular enough, people will have a hard time finding hardware and that could be a serious blow to the community in general. Especially with many of the throwaway practices of recent years where record players are made to last only a few years (then their rechargeable battery dies or something breaks that don't have replacement parts available.) Finally, cost of living as others have said, is a big deal and people are having less and less room to store records. Vinyl is a big serious investment that most people really can't afford to go crazy with.
All I’m really bothered about is the thrill of finding a record I like at a reasonable price. Every now and again I’ll buy a new record at full price if it’s no more than £25.
I’m in the same boat. Lots of stuff and no one to leave it to. Like one old collector told me “you can’t put a u-haul behind a hearse”. So I’ve started to purge some things and doing the local record show has been a blessing. Price it decently and it will sell.
33.3, sounds like an old Onion article, ha. I don’t know what is going on in my mind either. More more more records 😵💫 I’m certainly doing my part. Thanks for keeping it real and funny as usual Robert!
great point Robert , I agree the price of new vinyl is getting way out hand for some titles but on the other if you wait some have come down in price. I 'm still buy cd's because it might not come out on vinyl. I have slowed down buying new pressing but still buy used stuff. Also the price of new cassettes is way out hand any where from $19.99 to $30.00 dollars . look at record store day is getting crazy with picture disc and 3 inch records only play one side. or color variants of same pressing or putting out different songs on each pressing . Also the new old thing of recycle vinyl is becoming in trend again . Love that you hooked up your eight track player .
Hey Robert. Another great video. First off, I thought the same thing you did about the 33.3% drop 🙂 It doesn't really effect me as I'm not a I gotta have all the variants buyer, one good playable copy is all I need. If there is any drop I agree that price could be a factor, but I also think that because they just keep reissuing the same albums over and over again, that record buyers new and old already have them... like Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Steely Dan, The Doors, etc. But who knows. Anyway... I dropped a new video today myself, if you're a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, it's a deep dive into them. Cheers
I bought my first record in 1975. I was 15 years old. I had 6 bucks from my allowance and all I could afford was a Byrds album that was on sale. To date, I now own close to 3000, so spending 40-50 bucks on a album is hard to swallow. I do buy new albums, but not near as many.
Hey Robert, dig that Brain t-shirt you got there. I just scored a copy of Scorpions Action (Lonesome Crow) on Brain which is my first to own from that label. This year I've bought fewer albums compared to the past five years, particularly new vinyl simply because the prices are skyrocketing. I'm still buying new records but I'm way more selective and focusing more on scoring VG+ or better used vinyl. Cheers 🥂
I could not care less if records are "out" again. In fact, I hope so. Like you said, they'll be cheaper! I was born in 1992 and got into records at a very, very young age. It was the late 90s/early 2000s, and if you liked records, you were considered an asshole. I would have adults (who were likely starting to regret selling off their records) belittle me. I did not care. If anything, I embraced it. And I welcomed the resurgence, as it was cool to have more people to share my interest with (like here in the VC). But I am fine being the odd man out again if I end up with more rekkids!
I still enjoy hitting the flea markets, record fairs and my local shop for used vinyl. I only buy a new record on rare occasions. I still enjoy the rush of finding an LP I'm looking for in great condition for a great price in the bins. Nothing's going to change that for me.
I wasn’t one of those who sold their vinyl when it went out in the 90’s. Instead, I worried about how I would play them when my turntable broke. Needless to say, I now have unlimited options even though I still have my old one from 1988. I buy used and take chances with G+ vinyl with little problems.
What no one is talking about is the way vinyl sales are being tabulated. Units vs. Revenue. It's very possible that unit sales could be down 33%, but, with the rising costs of albums, revenue from sales could be up 6%. By the by, Robert, Mazzy already had a "mini-stroke" video about the Billboard article a few days ago.
I guess many in the VC and newcomers to vinyl are not buying into the hyped BS as much. As for myself, to my knowledge anyway, there aren't any mass producing record plants in Canada representing the big and popular labels. Hence, one of the contributing factors of vinyl costing so much where I lived. Everything is an import and its import pricing etc. Robert, is there also some truth to all the vinyl nowadays is mainly manufactured or rather reproduced digitally and then distributed on vinyl?? BTW, I love you and your channel. You are one of my top 5 "go to" channels regarding the VC.
Just checked into this-Luminate issued a counterpoint. Quote: “Update: A representative from Luminate, the data company that supplies information for Billboard’s music consumption report, clarified that due to a recent change in the methodology for counting vinyl sales from independent retailers, it’s inaccurate to compare 2024 vinyl sales to previous years. In fact, Luminate reports that U.S. vinyl sales have increased by 6.2% when comparing both 2023 and 2024 activity through Q3, exclusive of independent retail data from both years.” So it’s six percent, not eight. And definitely not 33.
I would love to buy more than I do, but with the prices being so high, I am more choosy. If the bubble bursts, hopefully it will cause prices to go down. I always owned a turntable, and in 90s and early 2000, I loved going into used record stores and getting cheap albums that were more affordable than their CD counterpart, allowing me to take a chance on older albums from the 60s 70s and 80s. You could come out with a stack of albums for $30-40. Currently, everything is so overpriced, you have fools charging ridiculous prices for albums like Thiller which sold a gazillion copies! You always have opportunists as well as suckers who are clueless.
Love that T-Shirt Robert. Where can I get one? I think it's more of the economy that helped sales drop. Price gouging doesn't help either. Distributors have jacked the prices up as well and the cost gets passed onto the consumer. I have found that I am buying less lately because of groceries, gas and other expenses that are higher and that cut into my record budget.
I have definitely slowed down the past couple years due to higher prices for new stuff, I probably cut back by at least 50% (and the fact I have MOST of what I want). But, High On Fire! - check out their album Snakes For The Divine (my favorite by them ) saw them live at a local club years ago and they DESTROYED.
I guess im kinda like you always want more, more, more vinyl but the prices as you said are waay too high and thats why ive only staryed to collect only my fave artist on vinyl.
Yeah not 2 be captain O but prices are laughable 38 to 50 bucks! I will spend the $ for my favorite bands but mostly im a thrift store guy. And how many times are they gonna reissue the dark side of the moon????? This reissue is overseen by the groupie in the studio during the recording sessions as she gives it 2 you blow by blow 😂😂 but for real they are trying to ruin the resurgence. Love your videos cheers!
I think that is BS like you said so the number happens to be 33% if that’s true let’s watch leading up to holidays and RSD, I’m working on 500 records which in comparison to a lot of RUclipsrs is low but to people not in the VC it’s a lot, I try now to stick to only quality pressings and new releases I really want vs as before I would buy stuff on impulse and not really need or want. Used records I also slowed down because I realized that a lot of the records I was buying were difficult to get cleaned up and not long after would be released new anyways.
In my opinion you have forgotten a very important point. The quality of the new records is getting worse and worse. I pre-ordered David Gilmour's new album months ago (it arrived late) and it was wavy. I wrote to the dealer and explained my situation. Luckily they were understanding because I wasn't the only buyer who had this problem. The nice woman put me on a waiting list so that I could receive a new copy. This replacement reached me today and this record is actually even wavier than the first record. 🙈😂 I heard that Sony shortened the cooling process so that more records could be pressed. Do you have any more information or is this just one of those rumors on the internet?
Labels keep pressing the same titles, so how many sets of ears want to hear the same record?! The 33 rpm of a Rhino HiFi of Bad Company, a 45 RPM of the same album from the Atlantic 75th series, and so on. Enough already!! Interesting observation about the percentage that it was down! 😀
to me they are over priced maybe because they aren't produced in the numbers they used to I remember our local mall had two record stores and Sears also would have a record section as well.
Yes, people not understanding the REAL value of my records and books when I die is the greatest fear.. BTW, when will you resume the album reviews suggested by your viewers, especially Barbie Bones "Death in the rocking horse factory" ?😅
If you're willing to get out of bed you can experience some great purchases at deflated prices--garage sales. You can find yourself actually haggling over a 5 dollar Velvet Underground lp!
I’ve been buying less vinyl. Kind of pricy to buy artificially “limited” releases. I’m not playing that game.
Last year I sold almost half my LPs and am still spending the credit I accrued. After over fifty years of collecting, I finally realized I had more than enough music to listen to. Streaming also helped in this decision. Going through my LPs, I realized just how many I bought to "try out" that only ever got a few plays. With streaming, I can listen to an album once or a thousand times. I think every collector goes through this at some point. When you're ready, cull your collection and enjoy the profits while you're still around.
I would say 10-12 years ago was best time ever to buy vinyl, especially used. Now it’s just ridiculous.
There are two takeaways from this. One that if vinyl sales go down too low. Labels will stop putting new albums on vinyl. Two, if the appearance of vinyl being not interesting gets popular enough, people will have a hard time finding hardware and that could be a serious blow to the community in general. Especially with many of the throwaway practices of recent years where record players are made to last only a few years (then their rechargeable battery dies or something breaks that don't have replacement parts available.)
Finally, cost of living as others have said, is a big deal and people are having less and less room to store records. Vinyl is a big serious investment that most people really can't afford to go crazy with.
These figures leave me Dazed 🥴 & Confused 😕.
All I’m really bothered about is the thrill of finding a record I like at a reasonable price. Every now and again I’ll buy a new record at full price if it’s no more than £25.
I’m in the same boat. Lots of stuff and no one to leave it to. Like one old collector told me “you can’t put a u-haul behind a hearse”. So I’ve started to purge some things and doing the local record show has been a blessing. Price it decently and it will sell.
Because prices for vinyl are ridiculously expensive. Buyers aren't being ripped off. Good !
33.3, sounds like an old Onion article, ha. I don’t know what is going on in my mind either. More more more records 😵💫 I’m certainly doing my part.
Thanks for keeping it real and funny as usual Robert!
great point Robert , I agree the price of new vinyl is getting way out hand for some titles but on the other if you wait some have come down in price. I 'm still buy cd's because it might not come out on vinyl. I have slowed down buying new pressing but still buy used stuff. Also the price of new cassettes is way out hand any where from $19.99 to $30.00 dollars . look at record store day is getting crazy with picture disc and 3 inch records only play one side. or color variants of same pressing or putting out different songs on each pressing . Also the new old thing of recycle vinyl is becoming in trend again . Love that you hooked up your eight track player .
Hey Robert. Another great video. First off, I thought the same thing you did about the 33.3% drop 🙂 It doesn't really effect me as I'm not a I gotta have all the variants buyer, one good playable copy is all I need. If there is any drop I agree that price could be a factor, but I also think that because they just keep reissuing the same albums over and over again, that record buyers new and old already have them... like Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Steely Dan, The Doors, etc. But who knows. Anyway... I dropped a new video today myself, if you're a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, it's a deep dive into them. Cheers
There are so many great albums that are out of print, yet they keep issuing the same ones. Just checked out your Lynyrd Skynyrd video.
@@RobertFithen I couldn’t agree more, so many cool albums that are in need of a reissue. Cheers
I bought my first record in 1975. I was 15 years old. I had 6 bucks from my allowance and all I could afford was a Byrds album that was on sale. To date, I now own close to 3000, so spending 40-50 bucks on a album is hard to swallow. I do buy new albums, but not near as many.
Hey Robert, dig that Brain t-shirt you got there. I just scored a copy of Scorpions Action (Lonesome Crow) on Brain which is my first to own from that label. This year I've bought fewer albums compared to the past five years, particularly new vinyl simply because the prices are skyrocketing. I'm still buying new records but I'm way more selective and focusing more on scoring VG+ or better used vinyl. Cheers 🥂
I could not care less if records are "out" again. In fact, I hope so. Like you said, they'll be cheaper!
I was born in 1992 and got into records at a very, very young age. It was the late 90s/early 2000s, and if you liked records, you were considered an asshole. I would have adults (who were likely starting to regret selling off their records) belittle me. I did not care. If anything, I embraced it. And I welcomed the resurgence, as it was cool to have more people to share my interest with (like here in the VC). But I am fine being the odd man out again if I end up with more rekkids!
I still enjoy hitting the flea markets, record fairs and my local shop for used vinyl. I only buy a new record on rare occasions. I still enjoy the rush of finding an LP I'm looking for in great condition for a great price in the bins. Nothing's going to change that for me.
Many thanks Mr Fithen✌️🤘👊
33.3% and 33 and a third RPM. WOOO...the electricity is coming from other planets, as Lou Reed once opined.😮.
LPs I bought for $15, 12 years ago, now $60+. Glad I got em, but much more selective now.
I wasn’t one of those who sold their vinyl when it went out in the 90’s. Instead, I worried about how I would play them when my turntable broke. Needless to say, I now have unlimited options even though I still have my old one from 1988. I buy used and take chances with G+ vinyl with little problems.
The potential downside to the consumer is that supply is already tight for new records and the reduced demand might reduce supply even further
Wow! I think it’s unbelievable that you’ve had a turntable in your system plugged in and ready to go for years! Not many people can say that.
What no one is talking about is the way vinyl sales are being tabulated. Units vs. Revenue. It's very possible that unit sales could be down 33%, but, with the rising costs of albums, revenue from sales could be up 6%.
By the by, Robert, Mazzy already had a "mini-stroke" video about the Billboard article a few days ago.
People this year have less disposable income than in 2023. That has a lot of effect on anything used for enjoyment.
I guess many in the VC and newcomers to vinyl are not buying into the hyped BS as much. As for myself, to my knowledge anyway, there aren't any mass producing record plants in Canada representing the big and popular labels. Hence, one of the contributing factors of vinyl costing so much where I lived. Everything is an import and its import pricing etc. Robert, is there also some truth to all the vinyl nowadays is mainly manufactured or rather reproduced digitally and then distributed on vinyl?? BTW, I love you and your channel. You are one of my top 5 "go to" channels regarding the VC.
That’s nuts. I think Forbes just reported that sales are up 8 percent or so.
Just checked into this-Luminate issued a counterpoint. Quote:
“Update: A representative from Luminate, the data company that supplies information for Billboard’s music consumption report, clarified that due to a recent change in the methodology for counting vinyl sales from independent retailers, it’s inaccurate to compare 2024 vinyl sales to previous years. In fact, Luminate reports that U.S. vinyl sales have increased by 6.2% when comparing both 2023 and 2024 activity through Q3, exclusive of independent retail data from both years.”
So it’s six percent, not eight. And definitely not 33.
Yes, I say all of this in the video.
Oh, hell, you certainly did. I’ll just fade away now…
Cost of living ls the thing. I buy a couple new releases a year now. But I've got everything I want
I hope the prices go down some however it happens. I wont stop buying but I could buy more...
I'll be interested in hearing your opinion on the soon to be released remix of Queen's first album.
I would love to buy more than I do, but with the prices being so high, I am more choosy. If the bubble bursts, hopefully it will cause prices to go down. I always owned a turntable, and in 90s and early 2000, I loved going into used record stores and getting cheap albums that were more affordable than their CD counterpart, allowing me to take a chance on older albums from the 60s 70s and 80s. You could come out with a stack of albums for $30-40. Currently, everything is so overpriced, you have fools charging ridiculous prices for albums like Thiller which sold a gazillion copies! You always have opportunists as well as suckers who are clueless.
Love that T-Shirt Robert. Where can I get one? I think it's more of the economy that helped sales drop. Price gouging doesn't help either. Distributors have jacked the prices up as well and the cost gets passed onto the consumer. I have found that I am buying less lately because of groceries, gas and other expenses that are higher and that cut into my record budget.
Too expensive now!
I have definitely slowed down the past couple years due to higher prices for new stuff, I probably cut back by at least 50% (and the fact I have MOST of what I want). But, High On Fire! - check out their album Snakes For The Divine (my favorite by them ) saw them live at a local club years ago and they DESTROYED.
If the go back to grudgingly making records, they'll get even more expensive.
I guess im kinda like you always want more, more, more vinyl but the prices as you said are waay too high and thats why ive only staryed to collect only my fave artist on vinyl.
Inflation..... In 78 records were about $8. Now $35 is worth about $8. Not too expensive.
It is the first year in many, that I haven't bought a lot of vinyl. Price is always the problem.
Yeah not 2 be captain O but prices are laughable 38 to 50 bucks! I will spend the $ for my favorite bands but mostly im a thrift store guy. And how many times are they gonna reissue the dark side of the moon????? This reissue is overseen by the groupie in the studio during the recording sessions as she gives it 2 you blow by blow 😂😂 but for real they are trying to ruin the resurgence. Love your videos cheers!
I think that is BS like you said so the number happens to be 33% if that’s true let’s watch leading up to holidays and RSD, I’m working on 500 records which in comparison to a lot of RUclipsrs is low but to people not in the VC it’s a lot, I try now to stick to only quality pressings and new releases I really want vs as before I would buy stuff on impulse and not really need or want. Used records I also slowed down because I realized that a lot of the records I was buying were difficult to get cleaned up and not long after would be released new anyways.
I’ve slowed down buying considerably. Prices are way too high. I’m finding mostly CDs at 10$ or less but those seem to be creeping up
In my opinion you have forgotten a very important point.
The quality of the new records is getting worse and worse.
I pre-ordered David Gilmour's new album months ago (it arrived late) and it was wavy.
I wrote to the dealer and explained my situation.
Luckily they were understanding because I wasn't the only buyer who had this problem.
The nice woman put me on a waiting list so that I could receive a new copy.
This replacement reached me today and this record is actually even wavier than the first record.
🙈😂
I heard that Sony shortened the cooling process so that more records could be pressed.
Do you have any more information or is this just one of those rumors on the internet?
Labels keep pressing the same titles, so how many sets of ears want to hear the same record?! The 33 rpm of a Rhino HiFi of Bad Company, a 45 RPM of the same album from the Atlantic 75th series, and so on. Enough already!! Interesting observation about the percentage that it was down! 😀
and there are so many titles that have been out of print that could be reissued, but they keep putting out the same titles again and again.
to me they are over priced maybe because they aren't produced in the numbers they used to I remember our local mall had two record stores and Sears also would have a record section as well.
They stopped releasing metal reuse, and 90s reuse. That’s what I’m interested in so I haven’t been buying anything.
Yes, people not understanding the REAL value of my records and books when I die is the greatest fear.. BTW, when will you resume the album reviews suggested by your viewers, especially Barbie Bones "Death in the rocking horse factory" ?😅
If you're willing to get out of bed you can experience some great purchases at deflated prices--garage sales. You can find yourself actually haggling over a 5 dollar Velvet Underground lp!
and estate sales.
Doesn't anyone see the irony? Sales are down by 33 1/3%. That's the rpm for a 12" disc. Fake news.
Yes, that's the first thing I said in the video