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My family is considering a move, but do I sell or do I hold?

I was 14 when I bought my first one, though it was many years earlier when I received my first record. Over the next 25 years, I proceed to buy some 15,000 more albums of some of the greatest artists of all time, but do I really want to move them again?

If you have ever taken a wooden crate full of records from room to another, you know these things are heavy! But, the thing is that crate only holds abut 120 records! Now trying to imagine moving 125 of those boxes every time you move!

You see, these boxes really aren’t movable when you think about how much they weigh. It takes me 4 truck loads of just records every time I move. I can pay to move these records or I can hold a garage sale and sell them. Even at an average of $1 each, that could get me about $15,000, but the question is do I want to sell them or move them?

I’m really thinking I want to move them so my kids can enjoy them as I did, but at the same time, they don’t understand records, they think MP3s and CDs only. But, there is just something about a record that they can’t compete with.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 04/29/2009 02:25 AM

Comments (19)

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albums, vinyl, records, moving

Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: My family is considering a move, but do I sell or do I hold?

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19 Comments on My family is considering a move, but do I sell or do I hold?

APR

Move them you can always sell them later if you like if that is what you truly want to do or when you are ready to let them go. But for now I think you want to keep them.

Todd, If you are saying the emotional value to you is much more than the actual value these records represent to the public, you have just uncovered the dilemma facing many sellers today. Can you separate yourself from the reality of holding on to an outdated technology,and the fact that your kids wouldn't appreciate what it took to collect this "wealth"?

market them to the people that will pay the most for your collection and replace the technology with something easier to move next-time (down scale or update).

I got rid of many of my records when we moved. I gave them to Goodwill.

Todd, We tried to sell a bunch at a garage sale and the most we could get was .25 and we were only trying to sell the "best" of my husband's collection. See what you can sell on E-bay or craig's and I don't know what you should do with the rest.

Todd we moved into our new house in 2007 and I have a book collection of around 2000 books and magazines...I packed them up and moved them to the new house about 75-80 boxes 90% are car books that I love ....like your records that you love I'm sure....I say if you move pack them up and take them with you...I am glad I did and after all the work and heavy lifting and hassle to move them is over ....you can sit back and listen to the music that you love with the ones you love.... peace zane

They can only enjoy them if you have a turntable. So, if they don't have one, or, you're not including one, I would just sell them to collectors.

Hi Todd ~ I vote for moving them for sure. Sounds like (no pun intended!) an awesome collection. Digital music is OK for convenience but with a good system I think that vinyl is better and *nothing* compares to the album covers. That's 15,000 bursts of enjoyment - worth the hassle.

Liz

I vote for selling them. If you can bear to part with them. It is hard to imagine future generations playing and enjoying them as much as you did.

The grasshopper in me says get rid of the entrapment they are. Our possessions can become lead weights in our lives, cluttering up the space we should reserve for other things.

But the rockstar in me says... what are you thinking? Get rid of them after all these years collecting them? You're nuts. They are priceless jewels.

Truth is your kids may or may not want them. When my brother died, his huge collection of albums went into the garage until his son finally dumped them, since they got wet and moldy. They became an emotional anchor that was hard for him to get rid of. But the mold took care of that. But he felt guilt.

The joy from them was in the collecting of them. A lifetime of joy. Having them is probably not as much fun.

good luck.....

I'm into getting rid of things if I haven't touched it in a year then it will be on the block.

Todd, I am purposely not reading the other comments before answering. I saved several things for my kids and moved them only to have my kids say why did you bother to save this. If you want them save them for you, no one will appreciate them as much as you...

That's a heck of a lot of records, Todd. I have moved a lot and have discarded things along the way and later wished I had not done so. If it isn't too expensive to move them and you have plenty room to keep them at your new place without them being exposed to moisture, etc., I would probably keep them. Probably, but maybe not.

It's interesting that we spend time and money accumulating things and then at a certain point, we start getting rid of things. I would like to do a major downsizing of possessions at my house.

Todd

I had a large collection of records and eight tracks ( yeah I know I am dating things) and after I got rid of them I discovered that they were worth a lot of money to people. Perhaps sell the whole collection to someone that will pay top dollar and get into them.

Ray - I've always loved them, but that is just a heck of a lot of weight to be moving again!

Steve - You are probably right about the kids not appreciating the time took to collect them.

Todd, this is the perfect chance for your wife to start an ebay business. Have her sell the records online and see what you can get.

Todd --- this is very strange --- I wrote a comment, but I see it is not here. Maybe I'm dreaming, but don't think so --- anyway, I vote for you to sell the record.

mama Liz Signature

TC,

Here is a stupid suggestion: Keep the collection intact, but try to find a partner to buy into the collection agreeing to store them in an accessible and safe place, while providing each partner access to enjoy them...kida like a lease purchase...!!! :) Thanks, Fran

Todd, a true dilemma....food for thought though. I'm at a stage in my life where I want to downsize...and get rid of all of that "stuff." I could give it to my kids, and much will go to them....but you may be right about your records....I have a ton too....Maybe selling them would be a thought! ;-)

APR

Todd,

Move them while you're young. Donate or sell them when you're old!

We moved about 15 boxes of my late father-inlaws records. For me I would of dumped them. For my wife, they are a connection to her father.

I know how much room ours take up, so yours may need their own house!

Good luck

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