If you are just buying any old record from some artist who doesn't really matter, you shouldn't have to pay anything more than $1.50-2.50 per record, unless you are willing to pay more. When you are buying records, don't be afraid to barter or bargain with whoever you are buying from. If you don't feel that you are getting a good deal, you should say no, or try to get a little money off of it.

On the other hand, if you are buying a record that happens to be rare or the person says so, you should confirm it with someone who would know if it really is. If it turns out to be rare, you need to decide, do you want to pay a large amoutnt of money or a rare record, or do you want to forget it. For something rare, i would not want to pay more than $20.00, probably even less. You will find records though that some people will want anywhere from $20.00-40.00 for.

When it somes to 45 rpm records, I would only only pay $0.50-1.50. For rarity I would generally pay the same amount, maybe less. The only place that I have found rare records is in pawn shops or flea markets. I wouldn't expect to find an expensive record in a garage sale. In the end make sure your getting a good deal.

Another thing you should do is take the record out of the sleeve before purchasing and take a look at the record. If it is badly scratched, don't buy it, it will be a waste of money, unless you can get it for very cheap, for about $0.25 or less. Don't pay a lot of money for a scratched up record, or don't buy it at all. If it is good looking though and clean, then pay a good amount like what I said above. Still, make sure you are getting a good deal.