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Do you want to know a secret? If you own a vinyl copy of "Introducing The Beatles", then you could be sitting on an album worth almost £14,000! (That album was The Beatles' first record to be released in America in 1963.) Plainly, investing in vinyl can be quite lucrative! However, before you twist and shout the lofty price-tag is for copies of the record in near-mint condition only. Moreover, the album sleeve should be almost perfect too! Clearly the condition of a record is vital to its value. After all, whoever buys the record will want to enjoy listening to it also. That said some pundits reckon that collectors in future may only be interested in album covers because the music could be available online! Nevertheless, in general the condition of a record is still perhaps the single most important determinant of its value. According to experts, the difference in price between a record in "near-mint" condition and one that is just "very good" can be as much as 50%. Furthermore, a record that is in bad condition could be almost worthless. However, the condition of a record is just one of many considerations when investing in old vinyl. Other factors include the artist, with bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd high on the list of collectible artists. For instance, Led Zeppelin album, "Immigrant Song", of which there are only 10 known copies left in existence, commands a price tag of £5,000. Apart from the condition of the record and the artist, the release date of the album is also important. For example, there are at two releases of "Introducing The Beatles". Interestingly, the first pressing contained two songs, which were subsequently replaced because of copyright problems. Consequently, the first pressing, because of its scarcity, is said to be in greater demand. Obviously, knowledge is vital if you are serious about investing in records, and even more so if you plan to part with money to acquire old vinyl. (It is also worth bearing in mind that bootlegging was not uncommon in the vinyl's heyday!) Nonetheless, buying old records couldn't be easier today with many vinyl dealers dotted around the country. These shops can be a great way to start off your record collection, if you don't already own one. In days gone by, charity shops were also a good source of vinyls too. However, these business-minded organisations are now keen to get top dollar for rare records that come their way. Consequently, you are more likely to discover unusual and valuable old records at garage and car boot sales, where people may unwittingly throw out their unwanted old records! Selling your record collection couldn't be easier too, and your neighbourhood vinyl dealer can often be a good first port of call. Internet auction sites are also a good place to sell your records, where you are more likely to get a realist market price. It is also worth bearing in mind that records need to be looked after carefully if they are to retain their value. They need to be stacked side-by-side, away from heat and sunlight rather than piled on top of each other. Furthermore, if you have rare and valuable albums in your collection then they should be properly insured also. Additionally, you should invest in a good turntable to avoid damaging your records. Remember all it takes is a small scratch to render your thousand pound piece of plastic worthless! More articles on alternative investments: Cars | Wine | Art | Books | Buy Superhobby Investing