At JHVinylShop, every record is graded using a combination of playback quality, visual inspection, and practical collector judgment. The listening experience matters, so playback quality is considered alongside visible condition.

We prefer to under-grade whenever possible. The goal is to avoid over-grading and help customers receive a record that meets or exceeds expectations.

Our Position on “Mint”

JHVinylShop generally does not use the term Mint for opened records. Once a record has been opened, handled, removed from its sleeve, or played, we no longer consider it truly mint.

The only exception is a record that is still factory sealed and presumed mint because it remains unopened in its original shrink wrap. Even then, sealed records are described carefully, since internal vinyl condition cannot be fully confirmed until opened.

Media / Vinyl Grades

Presumed Mint (Sealed)
Factory-sealed records that appear new and unopened. The grade is presumed because the record has not been inspected or played.

Near Mint (NM)
An exceptionally clean record with little to no visible wear. Playback should be clean and strong.

Very Good Plus (VG+)
A well-kept record with light signs of use. Minor sleeve marks, faint scuffs, or very light surface noise may be present.

Very Good (VG)
Noticeable use, light scratches, visible marks, or background noise may be present, but the record should still play through unless noted.

Good Plus / Good (G+ / G)
Heavier wear, surface noise, visible marks, or playback concerns. Often best as a filler copy or collection placeholder.

Fair / Poor (F / P)
Severe wear, warping, cracks, skips, or serious playback problems. Offered rarely unless the item has unusual collectible value.

Cover / Jacket Grades

Near Mint (NM)
A very clean jacket with minimal handling or shelf wear.

Very Good Plus (VG+)
Light wear may be present, such as minor corner wear, faint shelf wear, or small cosmetic imperfections.

Very Good (VG)
Noticeable wear may be present, including ring wear, edge wear, creases, writing, small seam splits, or general aging.

Good Plus / Good (G+ / G)
More obvious jacket wear, heavier ring wear, seam splitting, staining, writing, or structural wear may be present.

Fair / Poor (F / P)
Severe jacket damage, missing pieces, major splits, water damage, or compromised structure.

Additional Condition Notes

When relevant, individual product listings may also identify sealed condition, original shrink, hype stickers, inserts, OBI strips, autographs, promotional markings, matrix/runout information, ring wear, seam splits, and other collector-relevant details.

We may occasionally note records that play above or below their visual grade. When this occurs, playback observations will be included in the item description whenever possible.

Because every used record is unique, the individual product listing, photographs, and item description should always be considered the final condition reference for that specific record.