Happal

Every vinyl collector has that one purchase that stings—the record that looked perfect in photos but arrived as a letdown. For me, that moment came with what I thought would be the crown jewel of my Bollywood vinyl collection: an original 1977 pressing of Amar Akbar Anthony from an online seller. This experience taught me valuable lessons about buying vintage vinyl, verifying authenticity, and managing expectations.

The Listing That Caught My Eye

It was a rainy Saturday evening when I stumbled upon the listing. The seller, based in Mumbai, had posted photos of what appeared to be a pristine copy of Amar Akbar Anthony—one of my all-time favorite soundtracks. The description read:

• "Original 1977 Polydor pressing"


• "Near Mint condition, minimal surface noise"


• "Includes original lyric booklet"

The price was steep (₹12,000), but for a rare LP in excellent condition, it seemed justified. The seller had a handful of positive reviews, mostly for Bollywood CDs and cassettes, with only two previous vinyl sales. I hesitated but ultimately clicked "Buy Now," imagining how glorious "Parda Hai Parda" would sound on my turntable.

The First Red Flag: Shipping Delays

After payment, the seller went silent for a week. When I followed up, they claimed the record was "being inspected for quality" before shipping. This should have been my first warning—reputable sellers don’t wait to inspect an item after a sale.

Finally, the record arrived in a flimsy cardboard mailer with minimal padding. My heart sank as I noticed the corners of the sleeve were bent. Worse, the vinyl itself was housed in a generic paper sleeve instead of the original Polydor inner lining mentioned in the listing.

The Big Reveal: A Disastrous Playback

I carefully placed the record on my turntable, cleaned it with an anti-static brush, and lowered the needle. The opening bars of "My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves" were immediately marred by:

• Loud surface noise (more than just "minimal" as advertised)


• A persistent skip during Mohammed Rafi’s vocals


• Distortion in the high frequencies, suggesting a worn-out pressing

Side B was even worse—"Taiyyaar Ho Jaaye" had a deep scratch that caused the needle to jump. This wasn’t "Near Mint." It wasn’t even "Good."

The Investigation: What Went Wrong?

I cross-referenced the record’s matrix numbers (etched in the dead wax) with Discogs and realized:

1. It wasn’t a 1977 original. The matrix codes matched a 1983 reissue, which explained the inferior sound quality.


2. The "original lyric booklet" was a photocopy, not the vintage insert pictured.


3. The sleeve was a reproduction, evidenced by pixelated artwork on closer inspection.

I’d paid a premium for a reissue masquerading as an original—a classic bait-and-switch.

The Seller’s Response (Or Lack Thereof)

When I confronted the seller, they:

• First claimed, "This is how old records sound"


• Then insisted, "The matrix number doesn’t matter—it’s the same music"


• Finally ghosted me when I requested a partial refund

Since I’d paid via a platform with weak buyer protection (a direct bank transfer), I was stuck with a ₹12,000 lesson.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

This experience reshaped how I buy vinyl online. Here’s what I now swear by:

1. Never Skip the Matrix Number Check

• Always ask the seller for a photo of the dead wax etchings.


• Cross-check them on Discogs to confirm the pressing year and authenticity.

2. Demand Detailed Sleeve Photos

• Zoom in on corners, spines, and labels to spot reproductions.


• Request a video of the record rotating under light to reveal scratches.

3. Use Secure Payment Methods

• Platforms like PayPal or eBay offer buyer protection.


• Avoid direct transfers unless the seller is trusted.

4. Test the Seller’s Knowledge

• Ask specific questions like, "Does this have the original inner sleeve?"


• Fraudulent sellers often give vague or incorrect answers.

5. Consider Reissues for Playback

• For records I actually want to listen to, I now prioritize high-quality reissues (like those from The Revolver Club) over risky "originals."

Silver Linings

While I’ll never get my money back, this ordeal made me a savvier collector. My subsequent purchases—like a genuine Sholay first pressing and a flawless Guide mono LP—were vetted using these hard-earned rules.

That Amar Akbar Anthony record? It sits on my shelf as a reminder: in vinyl collecting, trust—but verify.

For Fellow Collectors: Proceed With Caution

If you’re eyeing a "rare" Bollywood vinyl online:

• Reverse-image search the listing photos to check for stock images.


• Look for seller specialization—those dealing only in vinyl are usually more reliable.


• Start small—buy a cheaper record first to test the seller’s packaging and honesty.