Finding Quality Vinyl Records Online- It Is Easier Than You Think
While CD sales continue to plummet and music consumers go “digital,” there is an audio format that has endured through all the other formats that were supposed to bring it to its demise. As we read about the resurgence in the production and sale of vinyl records (up ten percent from last year), some still assume that finding vinyl is a hard process.
And although the ‘brick and mortar’ stores may be closing up shop, a new avenue for vinyl lovers has come to the forefront; the ‘online record shop.’
From the ‘big box’ online retailers like Music Stack, GEMM, Net Music, and even ebay to the small independent dealers like vinylcollective.com, diversevinyl.com, heydj.com and many more, finding quality new and used vinyl records has become quite easy.
I spoke with Lorie Beshara operator and owner of a small vinyl website called BackToVinylRecords.com about this phenomenon and the enjoyment she gets from, not only the music, but this historic format as well.
“I have been selling vinyl records since the year 2000, but I have been collecting vinyl forever,” Lorie said. “I was raised in a family of musicians and I have a great love and appreciation for all kinds of music. In fact, my Mother was a singer with some of the all-time greats including Ted Weems, Artie Shaw and Les Brown, among others. My Father was a very famous drummer (at one time he was named the drummer of the year) and he also produced a band called Fuse. I still have some of my Mother’s old records; I cannot bring myself to part with those.”
I asked Lorie if she remembered the first 45 rpm that she purchased.
“Oh my, yes, the first 45 I bought was “Surfer Girl,” by the Beach Boys, when I was fourteen. They were very popular and I just loved their sound,” recalled Lorie.
She held on to all her records and she decided to go into business online selling used vinyl that she has accumulated over the years from garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores and what she can find locally. But before she opened www.BackToVinylRecords.com, she had to research the best methods of cleaning and grading records.
“Some of the records are so dirty, but will certainly play great once they are cleaned up a bit. So I did extensive research as to the optimum way to clean and grade them,” said Lorie.
After trying several different methods, Lorie has discovered a simple, yet very effective way, to clean up the records she has for sale.
“Each record is meticulously cleaned using a UPI Record Cleaning Machine using ionized water, which helps eliminate static. It also takes off all the dust, dirt, human oils and nicotine off the records,” explained Lorie. “Then I dry the records with a microfiber cloth.”
We talked about the very subjective and tricky element of grading vinyl records.
“I am very, very picky about my grading and especially so with a rare and valuable record,” detailed Lorie. “All the records I sell are, not only professionally cleaned, but I also “play grade” them (for 45’s I play grade the ‘A’ side) and I love listening to the old music. I then incorporate the Goldmine Grading Standard to them and give the buyer a clear indication of the quality of a record. I do grade conservatively and the condition of the album cover (for 33 rpm) or the 45 rpm record sleeves are also taken into account. I use Jerry Osborne’s “Cyberguides,” (which is a real-time weekly update of his Rockin’ Records Price Guide) GEMM or Musicstack to gage what a particular record may be selling for and combined with the condition, I ascertain how much I will be selling the record for.”
Besides BackToVinylRecords.com website, Lorie also sells her records on ebay.
“Ebay is a wonderful option, you have a targeted buyer that may be looking for exactly what you are selling,” said Lorie. “It is also a great place to find rare and undervalued records. And we sell 45’s from all genres, from big band, blues and country to folk, gospel, rock and everything in-between.”
But Lorie and her husband have also incorporated a novel concept with the records that don’t pass her strict grading policies. They have created the “Rock N Roll Beverage Coaster,” a fast-selling novelty gift.
“These 45 rpm coasters make great gifts and conversation pieces,” added Lorie. “We take an unplayable oldie, coat it in a thick high gloss acrylic finish, add a cork backing and they fit into any bar or living room. These are used records, so the labels may show signs of wear and tear and slight defects, but that is their charm.”
In a musical arena filled with thousands of online retailers pitching vinyl records, it is refreshing to find a small “Mom & Pop” shop, where you can not only find quality used vinyl records, but have personal service, a unique gift option and a music lover that appreciates the memories that we all have of our treasured music format.
About the Author
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates
http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com
, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called “The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting.” Contact Robert at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com
My Vinyl Collection – The Beatles (Part 1)
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THE BEATLES VINYL COLLECTION 54 VINYL LP’s NEW SEALED, UK, Japan, MFSL $5,599.00 |
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THE ULIMATE BOB MARLEY VINYL COLLECTION BRAND NEW AUTHENTIC $3,500.00 |
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Collectable 33 Vinyl Record John F Kennedy and The Negro $1,500.00 |
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The Rolling Stones Collection Mobile Fidelity MFSL Vinyl 11 LP Rare Box Set NM! $1,100.00 |
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1978 THE BEATLES COLLECTION UK release..BC 13 COMPLETE Blue Box 13 Vinyl set $900.00 |
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THE BEATLES RARE COLLECTION OF VINYL, TEES, BOOKLETS, POSTERS, 45′S, BONUS CUTS $899.99 |
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The Rolling Stones Collection Mobile Fidelity MFSL Vinyl 11 LP Rare Box Set! $700.00 |
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AC/DC – THE AC/DC LP COLLECTION (MEGA RARE BLACK BOX 15 VINYLS) $599.00 |
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DEFTONES THE VINYL COLLECTION BOX SET 1995-2011 OOP SOLD OUT $579.99 |
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DEFTONES THE VINYL COLLECTION LIMITED EDITION NUMBERED BOX LP SEALED RARE OOP $575.00 |
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TEGAN AND SARA THE COMPLETE VINYL COLLECTION BOX SET THE CON SO JEALOUS OOP NEW $499.99 |
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Tegan and Sara “The Official Vinyl Collection” 6x LP Box Set OOP & Chris Walla $399.99 |
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ABBA, The Vinyl Collection. 33rpm Sealed Vinyl 9LP Box Set. (out of print) $389.99 |
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ELVIS PRESLEY the ep collection e.p. 11x 7″ Book Mint- EP-1 Vinyl 1981 UK RCX $320.00 |
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THE ROLLING STONES COLLECTION 1971 – 1980 BOX SET VINYL LP 12″ $293.12 |
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31657 | V/A best collection of rock music, the JAPAN Vinyl $258.74 |
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The Cure 12 inch vinyl single collection look !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no cd $250.00 |
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20 Volume Time-Life 33-1/3 Vinyl record collection of “The Great Men of Music” $250.00 |
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53573 | V/A the great collection of popular artist 4 JAPAN Vinyl $249.99 |
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53574 | V/A the great collection of popular artist 2 JAPAN Vinyl $249.99 |
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53575 | V/A the great collection of popular artist 1 JAPAN Vinyl $249.99 |
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BLACK SABBATH The Collection 1985 UK 7 LP Vinyl BOX SET BRAND NEW BSBOX01 $234.51 |
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BON JOVI GREATEST HITS THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION VINYL 4 LP BOX SET OOP NEW $225.00 |
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THE MUMMY RETURNS COLLECTIBLE VINYL MOVIE BANNER EXTRA LARGE POSTER 5FT X 8FT $220.00 |
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DISTURBED – THE COLLECTION RSD 2012 LP VINYL BOX SET 6 LP BOX $218.87 |
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Deftones “The Vinyl Collection” Vinyl LP Boxset – mint – Sealed #0999 $202.00 |
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Rod Stewart (The Faces) Hits Collection SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED VINYL RECORD $199.00 |
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DISTURBED-THE COLLECTION-RECORD STORE DAY 2012-6xLP VINYL BOX SET-NEW/SEALED! $195.41 |
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a collection of BEATLES oldies VINYL rarest ENGLAND 1966 sold in the uk STEREO $189.99 |
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THE BEATLES a collection of beatles oldies VINYL rarest YUGOSLAVIA 1966 MONO Y/B $189.99 |
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QUEEN 15 Of The Best COLLECTION LP Limited Edition Vinyl ((MEGA RARE-OOP!!)) $175.00 |
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Medicom Toy Story Scud the dog Collectible Vinyl Figure $174.99 |
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BEATLES a collection of beatles oldies VINYL ENGLAND IMPORT 1966 sold in the UK $169.99 |
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Sade The Ultimate Collection (3-LP Vinyl Record) SEALED $156.33 |
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Beatles THE BEATLES COLLECTION BC13 PARLOPHONE THIRTEEN VINYL LP BOX SET MINT. $156.35 |
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GOOD-KRUGER DOLL The Vinyl Collection Boy Doll $150.00 |
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THE ROLLING STONES 13 LP – GREAT STONES VINYL COLLECTION!!!! $140.00 |
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Janis Joplin, The Classic LP Collection. 180 Gram 33rpm Sealed Vinyl 4LP Box Set $139.99 |
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The Hamburglar Vintage 1987 Stuffed Plush Vinyl Head Doll McDonald’s Collectible $129.99 |
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DISTURBED The Collection BOX SET VINYL 6x LP RECORD Brand New! SEALED RSD $129.98 |
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DISTURBED:THE COLLECTION 5-LP BOX SET Vinyl 2012 RSD LTD.EDITION EXPLICIT LYRICS $124.99 |
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JANIS JOPLIP “Janis: The Classic LP Collection” VINYL 4x LP RECORD BOX SET NEW! $119.98 |
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THE MISFITS ‘Collection 2′ CLEAR Vinyl LP HC Punk $113.47 |
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Mark Ronson & And The Business In – Record Collection (NEW 7 7″ Vinyl) $101.61 |
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JULIE GOOD- KROGER “LOVE ME” THE VINYL COLLECTION DOLL 21″ TALL $99.99 |
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THE BEATLES COLLECTION/vinyl box set/JAPANESE pressing with OBI/MINT- $99.00 |
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THE SUSAN WAKEEN COLLECTION “Bethany” 1991 VINYL DOLL $95.00 |
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Janis Joplin – The Classic LP Collection – 4 180-Gram Vinyl LP’s $94.99 |
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“The Classic LP Collection” by Janis Joplin (4 Vinyl LP’s, 2011) NEW Vinyl Box! $89.99 |
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Janis Joplin The Classic LP Collection 4xLP box set sealed 180 gm vinyl $89.98 |
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PINK FLOYD The Wall LIMITED Numbered 7″ Vinyl Singles Collection RSD $85.98 |
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JANIS JOPLIN – THE CLASSIC LP COLLECTION – 12″ VINYL 4 LP BOX SET – SEALED, MINT $84.99 |
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Mario Lanza(5×12″Vinyl Boxset)The Collection-CRM5-4158- $78.16 |
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The Bob Seger Collection – 1979 Australian Vinyl LP $78.18 |
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THE BEATLES a collection of oldies VINYL rarest HOLLAND IMPORT nice 1966 STEREO $79.99 |
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DC DIRECT_UNI-FORMZ Collection_Classic THE FLASH 8 inch Vinyl figure_NEW and MIB $79.99 |
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Pink Floyd – The Wall – 7″ Vinyl Singles Collection $79.99 |
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Madonna – THe Immaculate Collection Sealed (Vinyl) Free Domestic Insurance $79.98 |
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Gorillaz – The Singles Collection 2001-2011 (NEW 8 7″ Vinyl) $76.60 |
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Benny Goodman The golden age of Swing Limited edition Vinyl record collection $75.00 |
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STEREO FOR THE JOY OF IT VINYL RECORDS 10 TOTAL IN COLLECTION $75.00 |
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Los Salvajes The EP Collection 7″ Vinyl Single Music Box Set Brand New $73.09 |
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Specials The Singles Collection US Vinyl LP 1991 Two 2 Tone Terry Hall AKA $69.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER-BRAZIL – 10 INCH VINYL- NRFB-THE INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION $69.99 |
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THE STROKES COMPLETE VINYL LP COLLECTION OF 4 BRAND NEW SEALED $69.99 |
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DAVID BOWIE THE COLLECTION 2 LP NM VINYL ccslp118 ‘85 rare $69.00 |
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Disney Winnie the Pooh Vinyl Collectible Doll BNIB $68.39 |
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ULTRAVOX THE COLLECTION VINYL LP 12″ $67.41 |
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Buffy the vampire slayer 9″ vinyl collectible figures angel and the master $64.99 |
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The Birthday Party A collection… RARE LP Nick Cave OOP vinyl bad seeds punk $64.00 |
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The Beatles(Vinyl LP )A Collection Of Oldies-Parlophone-PCS 7016-Denmark-Ex/Ex $62.99 |
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Madame Alexander Smurfette 9″ Vinyl Girl Doll from the Smurfs Smurf Collection $62.99 |
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The Beatles(Vinyl LP )A Collection Of Oldies-Parlophone-PCS 7016-Denmark-Ex/Ex $60.96 |
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The KILLERS Limited Edition Colored Vinyl Record And T-Shirt Collectible Set S $60.00 |
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The KILLERS Limited Edition Colored Vinyl Record And T-Shirt Collectible Set MD $60.00 |
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THE COLOR PURPLE OST OOP SCARCE COLLECTIBLE W/2 PURPLE VINYL QUINCY JONES!! $60.00 |
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THE BEATLES a collection of VINYL rarest SINGAPORE IMPORT great SLPEA 1004 $59.99 |
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LET IT BE NAKED ! LP The Beatles VINYL ! FACTORY SEALED UNPLAYED COLLECTABLE ! $59.24 |
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CHANCE,JAMES – TWIST YOUR SOUL-THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION [VINYL NEW] $53.81 |
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The Beatles CLOCK from recycled vinyl 12″ LP Rare RED VINYL coloured collectable $51.58 |
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T.H.C. THE HIP-HOP COLLECTION VOL1 DOUBLE GREEN VINYL LTD EDT HIGH TIMES RECORDS $50.00 |
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Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass – 5 LP Vinyl Collection $50.00 |
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elvis presly LP-the sun collection – made in israel – mint vinyl & cover- mono $49.99 |
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Pink Floyd – The Wall Singles Collection – vinyl box set from RSD – Brand New $49.99 |
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Gene Autry The Gene Autry Collection 4 vinyl records Murray Hill $49.98 |
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Dick Dale: Singles Collection ‘61-65 LP 12″ VINYL RECORD NEW the MAKE AN OFFER! $49.44 |
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Jerry Lee Lewis: Sun Singles Collection LP 12″ VINYL RECORD NEW the MAKE OFFER! $49.44 |
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THE SPLIT ENZ COLLECTION 1973- 1984 DOUBLE VINYL 12″ LP $48.85 |
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THE BEATLES a collection of oldies VINYL rarest HOLLAND IMPORT nice 1966 PCS7016 $47.99 |
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Charlie Haden The Private Collection 180g Vinyl LP’s $46.89 |
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Charlie Haden The Private Collection 180g Vinyl LP’s $46.89 |
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Thin Lizzy The Collection Castle Communications vinyl LP EXCELENT CONDITION $46.89 |
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THE FORTUNES Hit Collection 1984 EX CONDITION VINYL LP $46.89 |
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5812 | ROLLING STONES, THE film collection vol.2 JAPAN Vinyl $46.57 |
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ABBA(2×12″Vinyl LP Gatefold)The Collection Volume 2-Castle Communications-CCSLP $43.76 |
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Collections: The Young Rascals LP RED VINYL Gene and Felix SIGNATURES Taiwan $45.00 |
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Death SS – The 666 Box – rare vinyl 7″ EPs collection $44.99 |
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ROY ORBISON The Monument Singles Collection 2×180g Vinyl LP MINT EU IMP $44.99 |
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PINK FLOYD**THE WALL:SINGLES COLLECTION(RECORD STORE DAY 2011)**3 x 7″ VINYL SET $44.95 |
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7712 | BEATLES, THE a collection of beatles oldies UK Vinyl $43.12 |
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Three Piece Tavern Set With Stools $149.98 Tavern 3 Piece Counter Set with space saving convenience. This set features a simple rectangular table on long sturdy legs with two backless counter height stools . Stools tuck neatly under the table when not in use. Assembly required. Assembled Size: 42″w x 22.25″d x 36″h…. |
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2 White Wire Freezer Storage Baskets By Collections Etc $12.99 Set of 2 Freezer Storage Baskets: Free up extra freezer space in an instant. Handy basket set keeps packages, boxes and bags of frozen foods organized and within reach. Includes vinyl-coated, iron wire baskets in 2 convenient sizes: Large 16″L x 8 1/2″W x 8 3/4″H; Small 14 3/4″L x 8 1/4″ W x 5 1/2″H…. |
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Clear Heavy Duty Table Cover 70 X 90 $9.00 Kitchen Collection Clear Plastic Tablecloth 60″ x 90″. Total Protection On Your Fabric Tablecloth. Durable, Wipe Clean, Easy Care, Practical…. |
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Gold Collection / Vinyl record [Vinyl-LP] … |
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Richard Strauss: Salome: Josef Keilberth Conducting the Saxon State Orchestra (2 Lp Box Set) $3.17 … |
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Fiskars 9405 Kangaroo 30-Gallon Gardening Container $15.76 Perfect for pruning or weeding jobs, the Fiskars Kangaroo 30-gallon gardening container holds itself open, freeing your hands for work. The Kangaroo’s unique spring design springs up to a 22-inch diameter, 30-gallon capacity, just waiting to be filled with weeds, pruned branches, or raked leaves. When you’re done, the container can be collapsed and stored easily in a compact, ready-to-hang 3-inch … |
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Whitmor 6044-14 White Crystal Collection Handbag File, Clear $8.93 Hanging Handbag Organizer neatly organizes and protects up to eight handbags from dust and storage wear and tear in easily accessible clear view pockets (4 per side). The innovative storage solution hangs at eye level from any closet rod and saves space by preventing items from being stored on the floor in a drawer or stashed on a shelf. Polypropylene and vinyl 12 x 48ç…. |
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PSI Woodworking D50C 4-Inch by 50-Feet Clear Flexible Dust Collection Hose $51.95 … |
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The Royal Tenenbaums (The Criterion Collection) $10.01 Gene Hackman is Royal Tenenbaum, a once-prominent New York lawyer who fakes a terminal illness in order to reunite with estranged wife Anjelica Huston, about to remarry tax lawyer Danny Glover, and kids Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Luke Wilson, former child prodigies who have grown into neurotic adults…thanks in no small part to Hackman’s antics. Off-kilter dark comedy from Wes Anderson also… |
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Led Zeppelin $15.03 Exclamations of religious awe are in order. Legendary and long sought-after, this live Led Zeppelin collection is nothing less than the rock music equivalent of the Holy Grail. Quite simply, this is what all the fuss was about. Given that they were the biggest band in the world, Zeppelin were notoriously camera-shy in their heyday. Their official filmic legacy until now has been just the fasc… |