Welcome to Big Al's Ebay Record Shop Auctions

"CARDINALS on ATLANTIC 1025 - Orig DOO WOP"

You are bidding on an orig 45rpm copy of THE CARDINALS on ATLANTIC 1025 - UNDER A BLANKET OF BLUE / PLEASE BABY . My all time favourite vocal group. Another super release. Genuine orig copy, no sneaky fan label or 60's boots here!

The 'Buy It Now' price is - £75

'Buy It Now' - this is available even after a bid has been placed, just email me. This prevents the typical ploy of placing a bid as soon as the item is available to remove the 'BIN' opportunity and prevent other buyers from making a purchase. You need to do this at least a few days before the auction is due to end.

A scan of the records should appear below. If it does not, I will add one asap.

Overseas buyers may use Paypal, however Bank Transfer or International Money Orders are preferred and I give a 2.5% discount for these 2 payment methods.

I have many other fine collectible R&B/Vocal group/DooWop records for sale which will be appearing from time to time. All are offered at fair prices. Many are bought by dealers for resale - they will resell them for far more than I am asking! If you want to buy multiple records or pay for large amounts in instalments this is fine, just ask.

There is no need to ask me if this is a first press as all of mine are, unless I state otherwise. Feel free to ask me any other questions - you may want to read my "About me" section below which may answer your query about grading/payment etc. I also trade as BIG-AL-UK (around 7 years now) but my family use my account to sell all sorts of items. As a record buyer I only want to see record related items and feedback, I imagine you do. With that in mind I created this EBAY user for just that. Bid with confidence, you will not be disappointed. I have sold many records, most privately as a result of satisfied Ebay customers. Some of these first press Near Mint to Mint gems included ;

Feathers - Showtime 1104 and 1006

Charmers - Central 1002

Flamingoes - Parrot 812

Walt Percy & Tracers - Three Rivers

4 Buddies - Savoy 769

A set of Jimmy Scott 45's

Hollywood Flames - Swing Time 345

Clovers - Atlantic 934

Little Esther & Dominoes - Federal 12036

Ravens - Columbia 6-925 and 39194

Typical Single 45 Shipping rates ;
UK - £2 (1st) £2.66 (Recorded) £5.25 (Special Delivery)
Europe - £4 (Airmail) £7 (Airmail Signed for) £8 (AirSure)
USA - £5 (Airmail) £8 (Airmail Signed for) £9 (AirSure)
Australia - £6 (Airmail) £9 (Airmail Signed for)
Note - All Paypal payments need at least 'Airmail Signed for'. Airsure is basically the same as 'Airmail Signed for' but is faster. Overseas 'Airmail Signed for' and 'AirSure' both include tracking and insurance up to £30. For insurance up to £500 add £1.50.

There are no hidden fees.

About Me.

Hi - I'm Al Kirby and I collect R&B records of all sorts and formats from the 'Golden Era' of the 1940's to the late 1950's. As a buyer I have come across many Ebay record dealers, some good and some definitely not so good. I'm sure you have too. I sell records as I expect to buy them - you will not be dissappointed. I am not into mass selling so who won't find pages of listings every week but what you will find are quality records at odd times. You can email me for any specific 'wants'. There are no reserve prices, just a minimim and a maximum 'buy it now'. I will not sell any items for less than the minimum price.

Here's what you get when you buy from me ;

1. All records are as stated both visually and audibly. I know how to grade records. They are from my own personal collection. Any defects are noted. Occasionally a record will look and/or sound better/worse than the visual grade which will be noted as (eg) - VG/Plays M-. Isn't it strange how some dealers mention it "plays better" but never that it "plays worse"?
- I do not believe any records are really mint, they may look and/or play mint but I certainly test play them all and I'm sure others have before me, so M- is my highest grade. VG++ is similar to M- but the record will have more hairlines or scuffs on it. VG+ is an average record for its age. The odd VG record I sell will have some sort of label wear, usually with ring marks and will have surface noise. I do not sell any records less than VG. Always remember to play your records with the correct stylus tip - not a modern stero one, they are way too 'thin'.

2. All records are 1st pressing with correct dead wax numbers etc. Occasionally I sell 2nd presses and rarer repros - these are all clearly stated as such.

3. Packing - all records are packed properly in new boxes. 45's are sandwiched in cardboard/bubble wrap and are sent in a 45 sturdy mailer box. LP's are mailed in mailing boxes, I never use those dreadful mailing envelopes. Records are removed from album sleeves. Those oh so fragile 78's are sandwiched in cardboard, then packed in an oversize mailing box with bubble wrap/poly chips. All my records have arrived safely. Records are sent airmail outside the UK and 1st class in the UK unless you request otherwise. Insurance, Special Delivery etc are all available. Any Paypal payment means you must have the item sent by an online recordable method such as 'Airmail Signed for'.

4. Payment - whilst I live in the UK, many of my record buyers come from the USA. The easiest way to pay from the USA is using Paypal, just select the 'GBP' payment box and it will do all the conversion from dollars for you. Unfortunately the value of the dollar has weakened against GB sterling and this makes the records more 'expensive' to US buyers than they were before. If you live in the UK , you can of course pay me by cheque or Postal order, no UK Paypal payments unless by prior agreement. UK CC payments can be made by Nochex. I do not accept personal cheques other than in pounds sterling drawn on a UK bank. There are no hidden fees of any sort - bank charges/s&h/'handling' etc. Payment must be received within 1 week unless other arrangements have been made with me. This is more than ample time when using Paypal. If you want over £200 worth of record you can pay in 4 instlaments.

5. Previously I have been more than happy to answer emails and assist people in valuing their records , or sending scans, audio files and info on my or other records. In every case except one, I did not even receive a 'thank-you' so from now on, only genuine questions about my auctions will be answered.

Here's what you DON'T get when you buy from me ;

1. Poorly graded, misrepresented rubbish.
Every record advertised as 'rare'/'mega' or 'monster' when they are plainly nothing of the sort.
Second presses and bootlegs passed off as originals.
Leaving information off the advert to deliberately mislead the buyer, seller says "but you never asked" when your 'monster rare' Atlantic yellow label 45 arrives with a pinwheel on the label.
Records graded one side only (I often see this on jukebox 78's).
Bad pressings that look M- and play like frying bacon.

2. Ignoring emails, usually to avoid having to come clean on grading/pressing issues.

3. Poor packing. Ever had 78's sent in pizza boxes, even wrapped in cardboard and newspaper? - believe me I've seen it all and suffered as a result. I have several 78 'jigsaws' sent by poor sellers who couldn't be bothered to pack as requested.

4. Hidden charges. Watch out for the seller stating "Buyer Pays Shipping", charges well over the odds and sends it media mail or some other cheapskate way.

Please see my feedback - honest trading always

Click here to see my current other auctions.

Feel free to email me with any questions click here to email me
Thanks for looking!