Recordz
How do you find rare records?
Finding rare records takes two things: being where uncommon copies turn up, and knowing one when you see it. Dig regularly in record stores, fairs, estate sales and thrift shops; set online wantlist alerts for specific titles; and learn to identify pressings by label, catalog number and runout. Luck helps, but knowing what to look for and visiting often does more of the work.
What "rare" actually means
Rarity and value aren't the same. A record pressed in small numbers that nobody wants stays cheap. What collectors chase is scarcity plus demand, and condition multiplies both. Discogs' have and want counts are a rough public signal: a release with few haves and many wants is in demand among Discogs users. The pressing matters too: an original and a later reissue of the same album can differ widely in price.
Know the pressing before you dig
The most useful skill is identifying exactly what you're holding:
- Label design and logos, which changed over the years for most major labels
- Catalog number and prefixes, including separate mono and stereo numbers in the 1960s
- Matrix and runout markings, including engineer and plant stamps
- Jacket details, such as printer credits, address lines and laminated or unlaminated covers
Discogs release pages document most of these for each version. Our guide on identifying an original pressing covers the process.
Where to dig in person
| Where | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Independent record stores | New arrivals, staff knowledge | Rare records already priced at market value |
| Record fairs | Many specialist dealers in one room | Early-entry tickets often cost extra |
| Estate sales | Whole collections, often priced by non-specialists | Condition, competition at opening time |
| Thrift and charity shops | Very low prices | Mostly common titles; needs frequent visits |
| Flea markets and garage sales | Negotiable prices | Heat and storage damage |
At stores, ask when new stock goes out, since new arrivals are where much of the turnover happens. For fairs, the Mega Record & CD Fair in Den Bosch, Netherlands, bills itself as the largest in the world, with more than 550 stands twice a year. Estate sale listing sites let you search for sales mentioning records ahead of time.
Digging online
Online marketplaces put the world's sellers in front of you, but rare records get competitive fast.
- Discogs wantlist alerts: add the exact release to your wantlist and turn on notifications for when it's listed. Discogs can send a daily digest of new listings, and its "Shop My Wants" saved searches can filter by price, condition and shipping location, with realtime alerts available.
- eBay saved searches for titles, catalog numbers or matrix codes, since listings for rare records aren't always titled precisely.
- Check sales history before bidding. Discogs shows the condition of each copy sold, which is a better guide than an asking price.
For expensive purchases, ask for photos of the runout and labels, and check seller feedback.
Patterns that reward digging
Records often turn up in the wrong place. Misfiled sections, unpriced boxes and genres a shop doesn't specialize in are worth a look. So are regional pressings: the same album pressed in another country can have a different mix, cover or label, and some are scarcer than the original. Learn a few labels or scenes deeply rather than everything shallowly; specialist knowledge is what lets you spot the record others pass over.
Recordz's editorial lists rank records in genres like spiritual jazz and Detroit techno using Discogs want and have data, which can be a starting point for a wantlist.
Finding rare records FAQ
What is the best place to find rare records?
There's no single best place. Estate sales and thrift shops offer the lowest prices but the most luck, record stores and fairs offer selection and expertise at market prices, and online marketplaces offer the widest choice with the most competition.
How do I know if a record is rare?
Identify the exact pressing using the label, catalog number and runout, then look it up on Discogs. The have and want counts show demand among Discogs users, and the sales history shows how often it sells and for how much.
How do Discogs wantlist alerts work?
Add a release to your wantlist and enable notifications in your notification settings. Discogs can send a daily digest of newly listed items, and saved searches in "Shop My Wants" can send realtime alerts filtered by price, condition and location.
Are first pressings always rare?
No. Popular albums often had huge first pressings, so first presses of best-sellers can be common. A first pressing of a record that sold poorly, or a later variant made in small numbers, can be much scarcer.
Is it worth going to record fairs?
For many collectors, yes: fairs bring dozens or hundreds of dealers together, many specializing in particular genres or countries. Early entry usually costs more but gives first look at each dealer's stock.
Last updated September 30, 2026.
Sources: How Does The Wantlist Feature Work?; Shop Your Wantlist FAQ's; Where Can I Access Sales History?; Goldmine: Record Grading 101; Mega Record & CD Fair: About; Brabanthallen: Mega Record & CD Fair; The Discogs Guide to Record Collecting.
Recordz is an independent application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Discogs or Zink Media, LLC. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
