Grading   is strict but not infallible. 99% of the LPs fall into one of three grades:

• NM (near mint) - highest grade. No scratches, though a scuff or very faint, short mark is permissible - though that is the exception rather than the rule. Label examination reveals few if any plays.
• EX (excellent) - may have 2 to 3 faint marks or scuffs per side, none of which should affect play significantly. A record that has been well cared for, but has perhaps suffered a minor "oops" at some point.
• VG (very good) - the "if only" grade, right on the borderline between acceptable and not acceptable for most collectors. But very good does mean very good. A VG record will not have any gouges or serious defects, it's just been loved in a semi-careless way. I include records in this grade mostly for the oldest pressings, which often do not sound that much different from a NM copy. There are also a few VG records which would be expensive in NM condition - choice is good.

Jacket grading is similar. A NM jacket looks like it was just bought new. An EX jacket will have a defect or two noted in the description, unless it's just light general wear. A VG jacket is beginning to take on a less attractive appearance or has partially split seams, always noted in the item description. A handful of "G" jackets are in the database, because they house NM or hard to find LPs.

tn ("taped number"): I've recently bought a large collection where the owner used a numbering/card catalog system, indexed by number. A ~2" strip of masking tape was placed at the upper left corner and a number was written on it. Such jackets are designated "tn" in descriptions. On the oldest LPs (late 40s / early 50s), a piece of paper was scotch taped instead:

All records are clean - no dust or mold is present on any LP. Every LP has an inner sleeve in good repair and a new poly outer sleeve.

Returns  are no problem. If you're not satisfied with an LP, you may return it for a refund, issued upon receipt of the LP. If I am in error, the refund will also include reimbursement for all postage costs.

Shipping   starts at $2 for 1 LP up to $5 for 20 LPs, shipped via USPS media rate mail. Priority and International rates are set individually at cost +$1 for shipping materials. (Ignore the amount that the cart quotes for priority mail, I will notify you by email of the charge.) All shipments within the USA can be tracked.

As far as packaging goes, your purchase will be bubblewrapped, reinforced with cardboard, and packaged in a new, cardboard LP mailer. LPs are sandwiched between jacket and outersleeve, to prevent seam splits in transit.

Privacy  is respected. Any hard copies of your personal information are shredded before disposal. Your information is encrypted during transit AND while stored on the web server, whose order log is purged daily. Credit cards are processed off-line; the charge will appear as 'Scat Records - St. Louis MO.' Nor do I keep any of your data on the office computer. I will not share your information with anyone for any reason ever. If you make a purchase, I'll send you email to inform you of new LPs added to the site, but will gladly stop upon request. To view the status of this site's SSL certificate, go to the home page and click on the X-Ramp banner on the left hand side of the screen.

Background  In the late 90s, I wound up working for one of the major jazz dealers in the US, Euclid Records. Around the same time, I started selling records on ebay after buying out a retiring dealer's inventory. To view my ebay feedback or options, search for seller id scatrecords.

There being no classical LP dealers in St. Louis, I have had opportunities to buy some excellent classical LP collections. I have been aided significantly in this endeavor by one Philip Greenspun of New Jersey. Philip has been collecting classical music since the 1950s and he has helped me sort the wheat from the chaff, as well as write a number of informative descriptions for this site.

But what is Scat Records? That's the funny part... Scat Records is an independent rock and roll record label that I started in 1989. It has nothing to do with classical music whatsoever, but it has involved shipping records and cds around the world for almost 20 years now. The connection is that my own listening is wide-ranging, I've been musically inclined from a young age, I'm an unrepentant record hound, and I enjoy learning new things, especially in the sphere of music. Having a few irons in the fire suits my working style and varied interests. I hope you find something of interest here, and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to

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