VINYL MERCHANT grading standards:All the records are graded on visual inspection.
SS Still Sealed
Never opened. Flawless, with no damage whatsoever.
MINT- (Mint Minus)
COVER: Flawless with no damage whatsoever.
VINYL: Flawless with no damage whatsoever.
EX (Excellent)
COVER: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.
VINYL: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear but will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only barely detectable crackles or pops. A slight noise at the begining is allowable, but the remainder must be nearly flawless.
VG++ (Very Good Plus-Plus)
COVER: Normally used cover wear such as slight ring wear and minor split seams.
VINYL: Normally used record that plays through without any problems. A slight noise on the background is acceptable.
VG+ (Very Good Plus)
COVER: More than normal wear and tears.
VINYL: Pretty used record that is still enjoyable but with major background noise.
VG (Very Good)
COVER: Lots of wear and tears.
VINYL: Much used record with the background noise in some cases equaling the music itself.
Abbreviations:
cc: cut corner
co: cut-out
coh: cut-out hole
hol: hole in label
is: inner sleeve
ins: insert
rw: ring wear (can be light or medium. if it's heavy, it will be noted)
shw: shrink wrap
soc: sticker on cover
sol: sticker on label
sr: sticker remains (glue)
ssp: seam split
stn: stain
stoc: stamp on cover
stol: stamp on label
swoc: some writing on cover
swol: some writing on label
taac: tape all around cover
toc: tape on cover
troc: tear on cover
tros: tear on spine
wd: water damage
wkoc: wrinkle on cover or corner
woc: writing on cover
wol: writing on label
If the above policy leaves any doubts, please refer to GEMM's generally accepted Grading Standard