When it comes to buying or selling vinyl records, getting the best price possible is the ultimate goal. And, as is almost always the case, that price depends a lot on what condition those records are in.

But determining the condition of your records is no easy task. What's even harder is trying to figure out if you and the person who is a potential buyer of those records agree on the condition of them. After all, one man's "near mint" is often another man's "very good."

Now, Goldmine does have its own grading guide. It is included in the latest "Standard Catalog of American Records 1950-1975 6th Edition." Using it can help you determine what condition your records are in, and then, that allows you to figure out how much your records are worth. But that isn't always as easy as it sounds.

To help you become more knowledgeable about record grading, we here at Goldmine are holding a webinar on the topic. The event is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Central time. The cost is $15.

The presenter for this webinar is Goldmine's own Stephen Braitman, a veteran appraiser from San Francisco who pens the Picture Sleeve Archive and Beyond Vinyl columns for Goldmine. A well-rounded expert in the field, Braitman specializes in LPs, 45s, 78s, CDs and music memorabilia. In this webinar, Braitman will guide you through the often-confusing process of grading vinyl records so that you can get a true idea of how much your records are worth before you try to sell them.

Here are some of the topics Braitman will be discussing:

    - The Golden Rule of Record Collecting: Condition, Condition, Condition
    - A Detailed Look at Record Grading
    - How To Sell Better By Being (More) Honest With Yourself and Your Records
    - Disputes: Dealers Dealing With Customers (Who Are Always Right, Right?)
    - Beyond Condition: Other Important Factors Affecting Valuation

To sign up for the webinar and learn more about it, visit http://tinyurl.com/n9s4o5