Having bought a turntable in January I am enjoying building a vinyl library. I spend time on various websites, checking for info on good pressings, new releases and so on. I do like some of the MOFI releases and so am checking there often to see what's available, what to put on my wish list, etc.
So about 4 weeks ago I'm at my local hi-fi dealer, who has a nice vinyl section... mostly higher end stuff. I notice some MOFI vinyl in there that I haven't seen on their website, and that I've never seen anywhere for that matter.... and kind of make a mental note of it. The albums are:
John Lennon - Imagine
John Lennon - Mind Games
John Lennon - Live in Toronto 1969
Aimee Mann - Bachelor #2
Beck - Sea Change (pink vinyl)
All are factory sealed, unused.
Then last night I'm bouncing around the Internet and I see a mint used copy of the Aimee Mann MOFI Bachelor #2 going for $1800 (!) on ebay. Some more checking and I see other copies going for prices ranging from a minimum of $190 up to 380 Pounds (about $600 in my money). So then I start poking around and see mint sealed copies of the John Lennon albums going for between $150 and $400, and the Beck going for $180. All of these releases are out of print and so have a high value I suppose.
So clearly, my hi-fi guy doesn't know what he's got sitting in his bins. Or am I missing something? I could go into his store and buy any of these tomorrow for between $40 - $50.
I've never been one to buy something and store it unopened for future sale, but I am tempted given all this... although I do appreciate that buying it is one thing, and finding a buyer is another.
Thoughts?
Posted on: 22 April 2013 by joerand
I think the shop has them priced about right. Just because people are asking outlandish prices on ebay does not mean they are getting those prices. You could buy the Aimee Mann for $50 and see how much you can resell it for. Probably not going to get rich fast.
Remember what Homer Simpson said to Marge: "This isn't going to be like all my other get-rich quick schemes. This time I really am going to get rich quick!"
Posted on: 25 April 2013 by Richard Dane
It's worth remembering that anyone can ask what they want for goods on eBay , but that doesn't mean they'll ever get it. There's a degree of market making going on too. If you suddenly see a number of the same items going for the same price, does that mean that's the market price? And if someone (maybe the same someone) then offers the same product for half the price, does that make it a bargain?
By all means buy the MoFis from your dealer if you feel you really want them. But if it were me I'd leave the MoFis for the birds and go for some nice originals - they'll most likely be more satisfying to listen to.
Posted on: 25 April 2013 by Cbr600
Joerand,
i like your concept of life according to Homer, very good.
Richard / anyone
in my ignorance -- what is MOFI?
Posted on: 27 April 2013 by joerand
I have limited experience with a few MOFI vinyl, but it is definitely quieter. The quality of the "mix" is subjective to the listener, but there is always something more to be heard versus the original pressing. I would reserve purchase of MOFIs to only my most favorite LPs, as the price warrants.
Posted on: 27 April 2013 by lutyens
Indeed mfsl have some odd choices for re-release! I have found the original issue on mfsl were very good but the price limits them, as above, to your favourite discs. That said they are the only way to get copies of some cds such as Steve Winwood's Steve Winwood, his first solo album after Traffic and Living in the Past by Jethro Tull. Before these days of digital remasters they were often the only way of getting decent quiet vinyl pressings. And this must be why i have a number of them!
Posted on: 03 May 2013 by rodwsmith
More useful from a price point of view to check the 'completed listings' only box in the advanced search options on fleabay.
Then you get what people have actually paid, not what other people want them to.
