At least a quarter of the folks stopping by their local vinyl store want to know if the store will buy their old records. Most will, but a sellers expectations need to be adjusted.

The most successful vinyl shops are selling vintage LPs from $7.99 to $10.99 (genuine rarities excepted), which means that they have to pay no more than $2-$3 for acquisitions, to make a decent living, especially since some of the walk-in LPs they buy may not sell for a year--or ever.

Your eyes may light up looking at some of the LP prices on Ebay, but your local store has a different pricing equation.

Being prepared for the "sticker shock" of what a store owner might offer you for your records is the first emotional tool to have in place.

The second involves having a very thin skin regarding the music "treasures" you are willing to part with. For example, you will most likely be driving home with unwanted copies of "Frampton Comes Alive" and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours."  About 3 gazillion copies of those LPs are out there, making them as desirable as a copper penny. Other Million Sellers on the Radioactive List: Christopher Cross, Bill Cosby records, Captain and Tenille, Kenny G, "The Best of Elton John" and Michael Bolton.

Seinfeld addressed much of what I'm getting at in this classic moment from the TV Series....