Condition Grading Guide
Understanding condition standards helps you buy and sell with confidence. Here's how we grade physical media on StillPlays.
Vinyl Records
Absolutely perfect in every way. Still sealed or played once with extreme care. No wear, marks, or defects of any kind.
- Original shrink wrap intact (if sealed)
- Zero surface marks on vinyl
- Sleeve is pristine with no ring wear or corner dings
- All inserts included and perfect
Looks and sounds like new with only the slightest signs of use. Handled with care.
- May have been played a few times
- Vinyl is shiny with no visible wear
- Sleeve may have very minor shelf wear
- No writing, stickers, or damage
Shows some signs of use but still plays great with minimal surface noise.
- Light surface marks that don't affect sound
- Sleeve may have light ring wear or minor creases
- Labels are clean and intact
- Plays with occasional light crackle only
Clearly used but well cared for. Some surface noise but still very listenable.
- Visible surface marks and light scratches
- Sleeve shows wear, ring wear, or small seam splits
- Plays with noticeable surface noise between tracks
- No skips or major defects
Heavily played with significant wear. Still plays but with constant surface noise.
- Heavy scratches and scuffs
- Sleeve is worn, torn, or damaged
- Continuous background noise during play
- May have occasional light skips
Significant damage but may still have value for rare items or parts.
- Deep scratches, warping, or cracks
- Sleeve heavily damaged or missing
- Skips, sticks, or barely playable
- Only for collectors seeking rare pressings
Compact Discs
General CD Grading
CDs are more durable than vinyl but can still degrade. Focus on disc surface and case condition.
Disc Surface:
- M/NM: No scratches, plays perfectly
- VG+: Light hairline scratches, no skips
- VG: Some scratches, plays clean
- G: Heavy scratches, may skip
Case/Artwork:
- M/NM: Perfect case, intact booklet
- VG+: Minor case cracks, clean booklet
- VG: Cracked case, worn booklet
- G: Damaged case, missing inserts
💡 Pro Tip: Disc surface matters more than case condition. A cracked case with a pristine disc is often better than a perfect case with a scratched disc.
DVD & Blu-ray
Grading Video Discs
Similar to CDs, but playback quality is more critical. Even minor scratches can cause pixelation or freezing.
What to Check:
- Disc plays without freezing or pixelation
- Case is intact (no cracks in disc holder)
- Artwork and inserts are included
- Digital codes (if included) may be used
Special Editions:
- Note if slipcover is included (adds value)
- Criterion/boutique releases: specify all booklets/inserts
- Steelbook condition: note dents or scratches
- Multi-disc sets: verify all discs are present
⚠️ Important: Always specify if digital codes have been redeemed. Many buyers value digital copies, so this affects pricing.
Grading Tips & Best Practices
For Sellers:
- Grade conservatively - better to undersell than oversell
- Note both disc/media AND sleeve/case condition separately
- Take clear photos showing any defects
- When in doubt, grade one level lower
- Mention extras: posters, inserts, stickers, booklets
For Buyers:
- Check photos carefully - zoom in on surface shots
- Ask seller about playback tested status
- VG+ is the sweet spot for value and playability
- Read full description - don't just trust the grade
- Check seller reviews for grading accuracy
📸 Photo Requirements
Vinyl (5 photos):
- Front cover
- Back cover
- Disc surface
- Label closeup
- Spine/edges
CD (3 photos):
- Front artwork
- Back/tracklist
- Disc surface
DVD/Blu-ray (3 photos):
- Front cover
- Back/spine
- Disc(s) surface
Use this guide to grade your items accurately