First off, I know that some if not many, eBay record sellers abuse the informal gratingsystem thatseems to be in common usage. That to these sellers, VG++ actually meansthat a record is mostly mint except for a 2-inch scratch on side two! Or that a recordlooks Mint, but actually has a pressing defect that hisses throughout the entire playback! I realize that many eBay sellers will attempt to sell a scratchy record as VG+, whenthey should know better. And then have the audacity to reply to your complaint with "what did you expect? The record is 40 years old!"

>> Near mint   
       May appear to have been handled, and perhaps played carefully one or two times, but for all intents and purposes it's perfect.

>> VG + +  
       The record may appear to have been played a few times. There would be no marks of any consequence (perhaps signs of an extremely light rub/mark from the exit/entry--to/from inner sleeve); maybe a spindle mark or two around the hole, but no wear visible under a standard household 75-100 watt light bulb. Should play without audible distraction.

>> VG +
       A good friend (and very active collector) calls this designation the "weasel grading" and in a way he's right, especially in eBay descriptions or mail order in general. The record usually appears to have been played several times, but previously owner(s) did not grossly mishandle or abuse the record. I'd like to think that we're more often than not talking about "cosmetics". When I use this grade there are often two or three non-audible rubs or marks (which I usually mention). I generally play records that are graded VG+. (Here comes the "weasel part.) Yet, I can't always listen as intently as I would like. So a very brief crackle or the slightest swoosh or even a couple of little ticks could get by me. (But that particular spot on the record would not have been obviously visible.) Sometimes if the record is both "good enough" and scarce enough, I mention an audible imperfection and STILL rate it VG+. (Note: as of this writing, I have sold well over 40 albums grated VG+ and have yet to have a return request.) ALSO NOTE: So with all this said, I do not necessarily guarantee that a VG+ record will play perfectly, just that it should play without notable noise distraction.

>> VG  
        Probably some surface noise here & there, usually light. There might be an audible, but light scratch on a track or two. When I use this grading, it would probably be in regard to a particular track, or for noise at the very beginning of an older record, which is otherwise VG+ (i.e. VG+/VG). If this were up, it would probably be an item that is quite scarce and/or collectible.

>> VG-
       Well, this would be for a really scarce item & probably something that "plays-better-than-it-looks". As of this writing I've only put up 3 or 4 items for auction with this grading, all fairly rare 10-inchers from the early '50s.