For open and loose vinyl – AMG looks at four components for each submitted open item:
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The Record
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Record Labels
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The Cover
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Shrink Wrap
CASSETTES, CDs & 8-TRACKS
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10
Mint
Mint
Absolutely perfect in every way. Never been played, possibly even still sealed. Only a very small percentage of audio media items fall into this category.
- No dents
- No veining
- No rips or tears in cello
- No blemishes or residue on cello
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted
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9
Near Mint
Near Mint
A nearly perfect piece of audio media. An open has more than likely never been played. The item should show no obvious signs of wear. An album cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. Other media items should appear to have just been removed from their factory cases.
- One slight or minor corner ding permitted on vinyl
- A couple of small blemishes
- Singular very small cello tear
- No cracks to plastic casings
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted
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8
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent items may only show some very slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or blemishes. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole of an album, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There should be no ring wear or discoloration. An album cover might have some very minor seam wear. Cover may have some very minor seam wear and should not have any defacing although small cut-out markings or promo holes are permitted.
- Corner bumps or slight creasing or veining
- Slight edge wear
- Small scratches or scuffs
- Slight or faint residue on cello
- Small stress cracks in plastic casings
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7
Very Good+
Very Good+
Albums may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches. Slight warps are OK. There may be some very light wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear that's more extensive than seen on an EX cover or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as larger cut-outs or other factory markings. Other audio media may contain slight wear to labels, j-cards or inserts, scuffing to cellophane or insignificant small tears on sealed items. Light to moderate wear to the physical media, but not too distracting.
- Edge wear more prominent
- Small veining in multiple areas
- 2 bent or dinged corners
- Slightly visible ring wear
- Larger tears in cello
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6
Very Good
Very Good
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ item are more obvious on a VG record. VG items have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh packaging. Minor writing, tape or a sticker may be present. VG album covers will have many signs of wear. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won't be obvious upon looking.
- Multiple or larger obvious bends, creases and veining
- Large corner damage
- Multiple seam splits
- Large cello tears or pieces missing
- Larger damaging manufacture promo hole or cuts
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5
Good
Good
Good items have significant wear, and the packaging is worn, heavy writing may be present, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers. The album cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.
- Smaller tears to album cover or artwork slicks
- Heavy ring wear to jacket
- Heavy wear to media surfaces
- No blemishes or residue on cello
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted
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4
Fair+
Fair+
An item in Fair + condition will have large scratches, scuffs, tears and very visible wear. An album 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.
- Heavy damage to cello or jacket
- Heavy discoloration
- Heavy edge wear
- Large sections of seam splits or complete edges
- Plastic casings show heavy damage
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3
Fair
Fair
An item in Poor condition is physically present but barely. All aspects of the item show extreme damage a. Records are unplayable and covers have no structure to them, missing total pieces or large sections of the packaging.
- Heavy wear in all areas up to 75% of the item
- Major damage to plastic casings
- Multiple full seam splits
- Very large portions of artwork or packaging are missing or heavily damaged
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted
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2
Poor+
Poor+
An item in Poor+ condition will show major to very major defects. Plastic jewel type casing is inoperable due to damage, severe water or other staining is present or broken media casing. Records are cracked, impossibly warped and covers are very heavily damaged to the point of falling apart.
- Very major damage to all parts of the media
- No veining
- No rips or tears in cello
- No blemishes or residue on cello
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted
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1
Poor
Poor
An item in Poor condition is physically present but barely. All aspects of the item show extreme damage. Records are unplayable and covers have no structure to them, missing total pieces or large sections of the packaging.
- Extreme damage to all parts of the media
- Large portions missing or unrecognizable
- Heavy water or mold damage
- Broken media
- A few very small or minuscule scuffs or scratches are permitted