In any large town or city, there are many places (even in the street) where you can get a second-hand blondie cd box set or vinyl albums, but it is always advisable to buy them new in a physical shop, or used, but in a recognised place. You can find out through recommendations or adverts in UK papers and online for the real record store goldmines, such as Sleeves-n-more.
If the vinyl records are new, there are not many details to look at, but if you go to buy them second-hand, look at the label that appears in the middle of the LP, and make sure it belongs to the record outer sleeves or is the one you are looking for. If what you are looking for is a collection disc, check that the seal distinguishes it as "first edition". Although it seems obvious, check that it is not scratched.
Cleaning and maintenance
It is recommended to clean the disc every time it is used. If it is dirty, the grooves can be damaged. To clean them, first remove the dust with a brush made of carbon fibre bristles, passing it gently over the surface. The record protective sleeves must also be well maintained.
To make a better cleaning operation, you can prepare a mixture with isopropyl alcohol, perchlorethylene (which helps remove the static), and a few drops of shampoo. Apply the spray mixture and wipe with a cotton cloth with one-way movements.
Try not to tear or bend the protective sleeves and never hold the disc by the grooves. The grease and acidity of the fingers (even if they are clean) makes the dust stick more easily and deteriorates the vinyl.
Store them in the protective record sleeves in a dry and cool place, always standing. If you stack them horizontally, the discs can be bent or left with marks.
