I Inherited a Record Collection: What Should I Do?

You've just inherited a parent's records, you're clearing out the family home or handling an estate, and now you're facing boxes of vinyl, CDs or cassettes? It happens a lot, and it's often a collection built with care over decades. Before you give it all away or throw it out, here's what to do, step by step. At Freeson Rock, a record store on Mont-Royal Ave. in Montreal since 1988, we appraise and buy this kind of collection, at your home if needed.

1. Don't throw anything out or give it away too fast

A pile of old records can look worthless, but some titles, pressings or editions are sought after by collectors. On the other hand, a record that was hugely popular in its day may be worth little now. There's no way to tell at a glance: wait until the collection has been appraised before splitting it up, giving it away or putting it out with the trash.

2. Protect the records in the meantime

• Store vinyl upright, packed snugly, never stacked flat (the weight warps them).
• Keep them away from heat, sunlight and humidity: no garage in summer, no damp basement.
• Leave each record in its sleeve and don't clean them with household products.

3. Take a quick look

You don't need to be an expert. To give us an idea before the appraisal, just note:

• The rough number of records, CDs and cassettes (a few boxes? a whole wall?).
• The main genres: rock, metal, prog, jazz, blues, soul, Quebec music, classical…
• The overall condition: sleeves in good shape or worn, records clean or heavily scratched. Our grading guide explains the scale collectors use.
• A few photos of the whole collection and any titles you recognize.

4. Keep the ones with sentimental value

An inherited collection is also a set of memories. Set aside the albums that matter to you or your family before the appraisal. We can appraise the rest without any problem, and you can even ask our opinion on the ones you're unsure about keeping.

5. Get the collection appraised

At Freeson Rock, every record is appraised individually based on its condition (record and sleeve), rarity, demand and pressing. Three ways to go about it:

• Large collection: we come to your home to appraise it. First send Marc a list or photos by email at marc-philippelemieux@hotmail.ca or call him at 438-404-5994.
• A few boxes: bring them to the store at 1477 Mont-Royal Ave. East during opening hours.
• On the North Shore? Drop off the collection for appraisal at Addison Électronique, 1635 Le Corbusier Blvd., Laval (H7S 1Z3). Contact Marc before you go, then ask for Marc on site.

You get paid in cash or store credit, with 20% more if you choose credit. Full details on our Sell Your Records page.

Frequently asked questions

Should I sort the collection before calling you?
No. A quick look is enough; we do the sorting during the appraisal.

Do you also buy CDs and cassettes?
Yes, as well as vinyl, single items or whole collections.

Some records are in bad shape, should I bring them anyway?
Yes, bring everything. A heavily worn record is worth less, but we look at every record and explain what has value and what has little.

What happens to the records?
They are cleaned, graded, then put back on sale in our used vinyl section. The collection lives on with people who will actually play it.

To learn more about how we appraise records, also read Where to Sell Your Records in Montreal.