The vast majority of comics are worth $1 or less. Same with trading cards. So I agree the big names are just going to keep shooting higher, but I wish all the consignment stores and Record Fair dealers didn't think that means every record is worth 15-100 bucks. I've seen so many Queen etc. records that are in unplayable condition with a 30-40 dollar price tag. It's painful to me, but maybe fair that an OK copy sells for that, but when it's spent the past 3 decades as a welcome mat in front of the local pub - it's just not worth that anymore. I almost dropped 100 on a grail the last fair I went to, only to notice what looked like a deep knife cut across the whole second side. Dealer says, 'yeah, but the first side plays near mint.'

Very interesting, Dan. I wish I had patience to sell - I probably could switch to digital for half my collection and be more than happy with having the space, enjoying my collection, giving up nothing, and having that money to reinvest in hunting down those ones I NEED on vinyl.

My local Walmart still has at least 50 Adele 30's on the shelf and now they are marked down to $10.

Don't forget the old adage; It is worth what somebody is prepared to pay for it!

Back in the 90's when bands like The Chameleons , Comsat Angels and The Sound had their catalogs reissued on cd with bonus tracks it was very exciting. It wil be several years before vinyl reissues of these types of acts occur leading to further scarcity & value of the long out of print original vinyl pressings.

I remember buying records for about 5 dollars. Those days are long gone. The price of vinyl has got out of sight.

Enjoyed your insights about vinyl prices. I noticed the local record stores used vinyl prices are up. Example Steely Dan recods used to be $10 but now are $29.99 used copies. Take Care!

Good and concise thoughts Dan. So what you're saying is I shouldn't feel shy about ponying up for rare Krautrock? Great, I won't feel bad anymore.

The increasing price of vinyl records and all related audio stuff is similar to the crazy real estate prices. Remember that you have to have real estate for storing the thousands of records and your listening room. I've always been an audiophile wishing for that ultimate home theatre. I'm in my retirement years and STILL HAVE TO PURCHASE LOTTERY TICKETS, DAMN IT!!!!

Great Video as Always

Another entertaining and speculative segment from Dots & Loops. Cheers!

Was just at massive record show, more than 5 dealers & customers told me quietly “you know no one’s buying vinyl anymore” or “you know the recession is gonna be bad, right”. There were still people buying but mainly middle aged attorneys or other people with money to burn. Every record now is waayyy overpriced. There’s inflation yea, but people aren’t gonna buy $50+ records for long, especially as the economy gets real tough for young folks. People will hold onto their “grails” until they’re relatively less costly like Elvis stuff.

Great video Dan , good point about vinyl prices going up, the band on your Shirt Duran Duran Rio the price this one is up there. also the price of some Classical recordings aref etching bigger bucks these days.

Great video! Wouldn’t disagree with any of your 5 points for why second hand vinyl will rise. I’d also add desirability. Out of all physical media, record collecting has by far the richest history which a whole new generation are discovering for the first time. The romanticism of vinyl is just beginning for all these new collectors and this will continue to drive prices up as they grow into the hobby. Subbed. Cheers, Jack

5. Dillon at Noble Records 4. Hot Stampers!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥 3. Carolina Soul Auctions 2. Idiots that Slab their Records 1. The Beatles (I don’t agree with this one, but there are a bunch of people out there that blame everything on the Fab Four 🤷🏻‍♂️)

Hi Dan, where you been? Are you still finding records in the snow? I've dabbled in buying, selling & collecting for yonks now it's weird how it all works and comes the full circle again repeatedly. Most people want the cool records but I pick up anything a bit leftfield possibly to sample, play or just move on for a profit. The niche market is interesting. There must be stuff came out on vinyl / tape pre CD up to mid 80s and never had a CD release. Maggot brain must partly be because of the cover no? Scarcity. Definitely. Anyway glad you are still in the land of the living 😊 Martin.

Thoughtful and very well reasoned arguments. I totally concur, vinyl prices aren’t going down anytime soon and many of these editions aren’t being reproduced

The artwork on the covers is what I love about vinyl. CDs and cassettes never looked as good. These days I do wonder about their value.

There has been times where the thought of abandoning collecting vinyl has entered my brain due to high prices. But the thought is usually fleeting and I’m finding myself in the RS or searching online for more records Haha! I like how you compared vinyl collecting to the collecting of other physical media. I also collect comic books and have all my books since I was a kid. I’ve actually seen a downward trend in pricing for many desired comic titles but you’re always going to have to pay big for Golden Age stuff and your classic titles like Superman and Batman and Spider-Man Comics are graded much in the same way as vinyl but if you think vinyl grading is errant much of the time, comics being misgraded runs rampant. I’m never looking to buy minty Golden Age stuff as I’m a realist (sometimes) and know my place in the comics collecting world. I’m rambling so yeah I found this video fascinating, frustrating but still fascinating. Thanks Dan! You are the Man! Peace ✨✌️👽✨

Hi Dan, just seen your Dots & Loops t shirt on Mazzy’s latest video ✌🏻

Thanks Martin, all is well and hope the same for you! Yes, for sure part of Maggot Brain’s popularity is the cover. Which is great! 👍 cheers!

This is a classic bubble , don’t get caught holding the bag here. I quit buying vinyl this year after 10+ years of collecting . I’m ready to cash in. Spotify is $10 a month , average vinyl album is $35 to $40.

Hey Dan. Just so you know, numbers about new vinyl sales are completely bogus, and extremely under estimated. Less than 10% of all vinyl records I've pressed so far required a code bar, and most orders were of 500 copies or less requiring no distribution network anymore, as the labels sold directly to customers, thanks to social media/own websites. The people who count sales don't have the right tools to count, because those tools don't exist anymore. I was at a pro gathering of pressing plants right before COVID, and the speaker, from a reputable financial mag, announced the past year's global pressing numbers/sales, and two different plants told him they pressed at least that alone. I agree that most desirable records are currently undervalued, as is evidence in my live streams. Scarcity is an increasing factor for price climbs, but I think lack of knowledge is what makes records undervalued, mostly. Cheers

Live in the Houston area and whenever I go into a record shop they are packed. That's why they're going up in price. Demand, especially for older albums by artists like Queen, Zeppelin, Beatles, etc is far outweighing supply.

I agree with everything you say, and would add two additional points: 1. If you drew a parallel to the wristwatch market, an early Rolex diving watch skyrockets in value because it was considered more of a tool than a timeless heirloom back in the day. These watches got beaten up and scratched, and the ones that survived are highly desirable. Today a Rolex diver is built with an indestructible ceramic bezel and they are protected like pieces of jewelry. You won’t lose money if you buy one, but the capacity for massive gains in value obviously isn’t as high because they’ll never be as rare. With records I’d argue that the same dynamics are at play … Collectors take such good care of new vinyl there’s going to be more abundant stock in the future. Scarcity won’t be such a factor. Of course, there will be exceptions to this with obscure artists making editions of smaller print runs. 2. Vintage records are a much safer bet than new vinyl, but I think certain genres will hold value better than others. I collect a lot of post-punk 80s UK stuff because it makes me feel nostalgic, but I doubt this music will be so relevant to future generations. Other genres like canonical dub music, Krautrock, classic electronic music from the late 80s / 90s will probably continue to grow because I think these styles will have a more universal appeal to future generations.

Hey there, bud. Rediscovered the channel and went to check your back catalogue. I was surprised because I could've sworn I first saw you give or take about a year ago. Did you relaunch and abandon your old videos? Or did I hit too many bush parties in the 70's?

Dan you are the Zeus of the VC, always one step ahead....so happy that finally people came back to their senses and stopped bying digital plastic....deuces amigo....

Great post and interesting commentary. I find it amazing that what we all knew as "common" records back in the day are fast becoming harder to find and more expensive every year. Yes, it makes sense this is happening- they only pressed a certain number of OG copies, even if that number was huge- over time, often decades, they get damaged, broken, tossed. I was a kid in the 60s and a teenager in the 70s, so that's what I love and collect. Here's a question for you: What is your opinion around the 45 rpm single?-Not the 12" 45 rpm speed LPs being issued now, or the 12" "dance" mixes, but the OG 7" 45 rpm we all grew up with? I have seen inklings that it, too, may be headed for a resurgence, which would make me happy. I personally think the 45 single doesn't get anywhere near the respect it deserves. Your thoughts?

I'm going to sell my whole collection. I haven't played them for years. I much prefer CD's.

ISome nteresting points and observations Dan. I only buy records I want to listen to, if it turns into an investment piece all the better, my son will benefit.

You forgot the 6th reason - Brain Meltage factor!! 🤯🤯🤯

i agree, though when you take out inflation when looking at the increase in price, you see a more modest rise

Prices are up because pre-warping your new records costs extra!

I wondered why your copy of Fun House is a gold label instead of a Butterly label, then did some research and realized it's probably a Canadian press :)

I wonder what my gum card "Death Wish Dan" is worth now? LOL Remember that? Thanks for discussing the five talking points of Vinylflation. Supply and demand will always be a huge factor. 7-8 years ago I bought an OG US Velvet Underground -Loaded, strong VG+ with a NM cover @ $30. Now it's worth around $200. Yes, prices are going up for sure. I noticed Butchers keep going up and up. ⬆

Corporate greed. The same reason everything has inflated prices.

Compared to video games as well yikes at those

Can't compare vinyl to cards and comics. People who collect cards and comics, they don't "use" it like we use vinyl. Even if we spin it a few times and shelve it. Comic collectors don't read their comics and card collectors put them in a hard case and whack it or something, idk.

I just bought the new 2024 Bon Job I CD. I could have bought the vinyl at 3 times the price.

Power of the VC? Please explain!

Wishful thinking! The record Show I've sold at the last couple of years seems to get worse each time. But I'll try and think positive!

Of course it’s Mazzys fault! He’s why I can’t find cheap records anymore. Hahahaha Gotta love the power of the VC. I’m glad it’s not my fault! Phew!! Cheers☘️

Hey Dan

Wait a minute.. didn’t you find some psych albums in a dumpster in one of your videos? Also Swifties will not be denied their Taylor collectables, I heard the Swifties were even offered a seat on the UN Security Council, they got some clout!

The price of vinyl is just plain ridiculous. Consider what you get for what you pay, the snap, crakle, and pop and the warps, it just ain't worth it. I will always buy CDs, and to a lesser extent cassettes. I've learned my lesson 40 years ago.

The commodification aspect is the most boring part of this hobby.

Maybe one day something as awful as Duran Duran might become worth something.

Also there is Biden’s war on fuel. So hopefully in November we can get back on track with reasonable prices