Selling My Collection?

[thirdtry]

I'm thinking about selling off my entire collection of jazz & blues CDs.  I haven't made the decision yet but I'm seriously thinking about it.

 

What I'm looking for are any suggestions as to who might be interested in buying the entire collection.  I have about 7,600 CD titles (80% jazz, 15% blues, 5% early country/cajun/gospel/folk).  Lots of Mosaic, Bear Family, OOP box sets, imports, rarities etc.  Some of the items are still sealed.  I also have a few hundred LPs and hundreds of books.

 

I'm located in the midwest so I contacted Dusty Groove in Chicago and they seemed interested.  I also contacted the Jazz Record Mart (also in Chicago) and they seemed to be less interested because they'd have to travel to get the collection (Dusty Groove didn't seem to mind that).  I know that The Jazz Record Center in NY buys collections but only jazz.

 

Might anyone have any other suggestions as to where to look for a company to buy this collection?

 

Thanks!

[sonnyhill]

Princeton Record Exchange.

[blind-blake]

Wow! I know this can't be an easy decision for you. Good luck.

[kh1958]

The Jazz Record Center has a blues section in the store (both LPs and CDs), so I'm surprised they won't buy blues.

[MomsMobley]

Princeton Record Exchange.

Sonny Hill is 1000% correct. Contact Princeton Record Exchange, they recently changed ownership, from founder Barry Weisfeld to a longtime manager but Barry is still involved, esp. with assessing & buying large collections. I can almost guarantee there's no "seeming" involved-- they WILL buy you out, it's just a question of terms. FYI, as an obvious connoissuer & music lover, the upside of PRE is they price to sell so even if you're getting less $$$ than if you sold piece by piece yourself, the collection will, in turn, go to a wide variety of people, both in the northeast & the numerous international visitors to Princeton. 

http://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20150809/jeff-edelstein-at-princeton-record-exchange-meet-the-new-boss-same-as-the-old-boss-well-sorta

I have no affiliation with anyone-- I'm not even affiliated with "myself"-- but as a serious collector, don't play games with people who don't understand what they're dealing with.

[JSngry]

Call Japan. Nobody in particular, just call the country and talk to whoever picks up the phone.

[thirdtry]

Thanks for the Princeton Record Exchange suggestion (I had never heard of them).

[HutchFan]

Call Japan. Nobody in particular, just call the country and talk to whoever picks up the phone.

LOL!!!

[Brad]

Call Japan. Nobody in particular, just call the country and talk to whoever picks up the phone.

What if the Emperor picks up?

[JSngry]

Charge extra.

[ejp626]

Personally I'd probably go with Dusty Groove.  I sold quite a few jazz LPs and CDs to them over the years and thought they were fair.  I don't quite know how the Princeton Record Exchange would get the material, but if it involves you having to ship the collection to them, it would be a huge drag.

[JSngry]

I got this email from a buddy who reads the board but I guess doesn't want to actively post:

Subject:   to that guy at the O-Board who's thinking of selling his collection...     Date:   Wed 08/19/15 05:20 PM

...send him the name of Marc Weinstein at Amoeba.

He's the guy I would deal with if (or when?) I sold/sell my collection.

He's written me a nice email explaining this to me

and he comes with good references as a store owner

and a long time merchant.

 

http://www.amoeba.com/

 

Without going into detail, this guy has a huge collection, I mean, massive, of all kinds of music (i'm tempted to go ahead and say every kind of music, ever, seriously)and never sells any of it.

 

Now, having said that, all I'm doing is passing along the communication. Beyond that, I know nothing about Amoeba other than they exist. But at least, hey, another option to consider.

[Shawn]

I was also going to recommend Amoeba Records.  

[thirdtry]

Thanks again to all for the suggestions!!

[jcam_44]

I got this email from a buddy who reads the board but I guess doesn't want to actively post:

Subject:   to that guy at the O-Board who's thinking of selling his collection...     Date:   Wed 08/19/15 05:20 PM

...send him the name of Marc Weinstein at Amoeba.

He's the guy I would deal with if (or when?) I sold/sell my collection.

He's written me a nice email explaining this to me

and he comes with good references as a store owner

and a long time merchant.

 

http://www.amoeba.com/

 

Without going into detail, this guy has a huge collection, I mean, massive, of all kinds of music (i'm tempted to go ahead and say every kind of music, ever, seriously)and never sells any of it.

 

Now, having said that, all I'm doing is passing along the communication. Beyond that, I know nothing about Amoeba other than they exist. But at least, hey, another option to consider.

I've dealt with Amoeba on a few occasions. I always do trade-in value. Since the new year I haven't been impressed with their offers, though I'm taking 15-30 at a time. In the past though I had been very pleased. With a larger collection they may be more generous. 

[MomsMobley]

Personally I'd probably go with Dusty Groove.  I sold quite a few jazz LPs and CDs to them over the years and thought they were fair.  I don't quite know how the Princeton Record Exchange would get the material, but if it involves you having to ship the collection to them, it would be a huge drag.

 

Personally I'd probably go with Dusty Groove.  I sold quite a few jazz LPs and CDs to them over the years and thought they were fair.  I don't quite know how the Princeton Record Exchange would get the material, but if it involves you having to ship the collection to them, it would be a huge drag.

No disrespect to you personally EJP but if Dusty Groove is in Chicago, Thirdtry is in Wisconsin and they didn't get in the van or truck immediately (after a few minutes vetting) shows they're simply not serious, nor are they likely prepared to drop $$$ or properly assay a collection like this... Which is fine, they do other things but this is ain't what they're built for.

Nor-- though people are joking-- is it something the Japanese would be especially interested. If it was original pressing vinyl, that's another story.

finally, re: shipping, if Thirdtry's collection is in excellent condition, as I presume it is, NO PRO ** wants **  him to ship it!! They get on the plane & rent a van/truck or drive out from wherever, check it & box it themselves... Jewel cases can be replaced but nobody wants to get crushed / broken box sets.

Really, why would any serious-- again-- buyer / seller entrust that big a haul / investment to the collector / shipping co?

Thirdtry (or anyone) might be a genius collector, take great care etc but he's selling it whole to make his life EASIER, not to become a professional shipping clerk.

By all means Thirdtry should get in touch with Amoeba or whomever as well as Princeton Record Exchange but if his collection is as he suggests, THEY are coming to him & glad for the opportunity.

Good luck! 

Edited August 21, 2015 by MomsMobley

[ejp626]

All I can say is that the resale collections of our collections is falling fast, and it is only getting worse in the next 10 years.  (Don't be expecting this to provide a nest egg to your children.)  If Amoeba or Princeton Records will still hop on a flight to check out a collection, more power to them.  I don't believe they will be in a position to do that in 10 years, perhaps not even in 5.  Time was Jazz Record Mart would be all over this, but they are just barely holding on in my opinion.  Dusty Groove will eventually make it up to Wisconsin when they have a chance.

[MomsMobley]

All I can say is that the resale collections of our collections is falling fast, and it is only getting worse in the next 10 years.  (Don't be expecting this to provide a nest egg to your children.)  If Amoeba or Princeton Records will still hop on a flight to check out a collection, more power to them.  I don't believe they will be in a position to do that in 10 years, perhaps not even in 5.  Time was Jazz Record Mart would be all over this, but they are just barely holding on in my opinion.  Dusty Groove will eventually make it up to Wisconsin when they have a chance.

Generally speaking I agree but again, this is a game for specialists. I admire JRM history etc but they've never had a strong, consistent web presence that could have benefited both mail order and retail for Chicago visitors. Compare (technologically) to Reckless. (And I've spoken, off the record, to JRM clerks when I've tried to purchase something 'not available' anymore though it's still listed... To use the cliched phrase, it is what it is & wouldn't have gotten this far w/o eccentricity. I shed no tears for Downtown Music Gallery woes either, numerous of which are their own doing, from posted $100 minimum (!!!) in shop charge on down.)

re: $$$, it all depends. Tons of major label stuff is landfill ready; small label, high quality classical, avant- / out- jazz, metal / industrial (if not my interests) etc etc... There are real life buyers all over the world. Sounds to me Thirdtry has the goods: imports, Bear, Mosaic ++.

And again, I have zero affilition with Princeton other than having shopped there (I've also done mail order with Amoeba & been totally pleased with their pricing & packing) but one advantage of Princeton is it's no big deal driving Jersey to Wisconsin, make some hunting stops along the way... Hollywood / SF Bay for Amoeba is a lot longer haul w/ a lot fewer places to stop. 

I don't "blame" Dusty, it's largely outside their bailiwick and they might not have the $$$ to drop on "maybe" but Thirdtry's collection is almost certainly great score for someone.

Again, good luck!

Edited August 21, 2015 by MomsMobley

[Dan Gould]

Has there been a statement that DG won't come to Wisconsin to assess a collection and make an offer? Because I've been getting emails from them that make it sound like they don't at all rely on what walks thru the door for what they purchase.

[clifford_thornton]

I'd deal with Dusty as I have on many occasions before. They buy many collections and pay well.

Dunno about Princeton but, semi off-topic, screw DMG and I understand JRM are a shadow of their former selves (probably true for at least the past 15-20 yrs).

[Chuck Nessa]

Moms is behind the learning curve for Dusty.

[MomsMobley]

Moms is behind the learning curve for Dusty.

Maybe so but Chuck, what's the furthest possible distance they could be from Thirdtry? And yet we're still having this conversation? I've picked up a few used classical things from Dusty over the years, I have zero complaints, but it strikes me as highly unusual they weren't immediately driving up there w/ any promises-- including the naming of future children if necessary. (Thirdtry perfect because gender neutral!) If they come through w/ ardent interest & $$$ for Thirdtry, fantastic but... one would think if you own a record store, new & used, w/ more than one employee, THIS is your #1 job, it isn't something "you get to" except ASAP.

 

Edited August 22, 2015 by MomsMobley

[Dan Gould]

 

I'm located in the midwest so I contacted Dusty Groove in Chicago and they seemed interested.  I also contacted the Jazz Record Mart (also in Chicago) and they seemed to be less interested because they'd have to travel to get the collection (Dusty Groove didn't seem to mind that).  I know that The Jazz Record Center in NY buys collections but only jazz.

 

Moms is behind the learning curve for Dusty.

Maybe so but Chuck, what's the furthest possible distance they could be from Thirdtry? And yet we're still having this conversation? I've picked up a few used classical things from Dusty over the years, I have zero complaints, but it strikes me as highly unusual they weren't immediately driving up there w/ any promises-- including the naming of future children if necessary. (Thirdtry perfect because gender neutral!) If they come through w/ ardent interest & $$$ for Thirdtry, fantastic but... one would think if you own a record store, new & used, w/ more than one employee, THIS is your #1 job, it isn't something "you get to" except ASAP.

 

Moms, it's JRM that doesn't want to travel. Not Dusty Groove.

[MomsMobley]

Gotcha, Dan. We'll see what happens-- best wishes to Thirdtry & the buyer alike.

It's an esp. interesting question though for all of us with strong interest in those genres and "physical media" as "they" say.

Princeton the wild card in a way because they do NO mail order. That might change a little w/ new owner but their model is high volume sales, big stock (when available, certain genres can go through 'dry spells'), low and low-ish prices on many things. (They probably also sell least amount NEW stock of shops mentioned.) So let's say Thirdtry has-- I'm totally making this up-- a couple thousand single trad, swing, big band, whatever CDs... Princeton has a wall of 1000s of such, it isn't an issue, likewise something like modern small blues etc etc. I know Amoeba does do a fraction of their stock as mail order but looking at photos I imagine their three stores are happy for as much quality stock as they can aquire. 

Let's say Thirdtry has a few thousand CDs of not much value-- hey we ALL have 'em, that's society's judgement, not our fault etc but is DG interested in those & moreover 'processing' those for mail order etc? Whereas giant Amoeba & punching-above-weight Princeton can just price 'em, put 'em out & KNOW many many people will be on it. (For bulk, 'filler' jazz, blues, classical CDs $5 less Princeton doesn't even alphabetize, just puts 'em on walls, in bins, sometimes w/ small like groupings, often not. It's not a problem and whoa, I just found (say) four Warne Marsh CDs on Criss Cross, Storyville $4 each, sweet.)

 

Remember, my focus as imaginary broker here is someone who'll buy out Thirdtry complete, no cherry picking!

Edited August 22, 2015 by MomsMobley

[Pete B]

You might try Euclid Records in St Louis http://www.euclidrecords.com/ . Used o be they would travel to buy. I've never sold anything to them but as I buyer I always found them to be fair to deal with.