Record Store Day Black Friday 2025: What Vinyl is Worth Flipping?

This is the big one. Dylan’s iconic 1963 album is getting released on vinyl for the first time in its original, unedited form with four tracks that were pulled before the official release: “Rocks and Gravel,” “Let Me Die in My Footsteps,” “Rambling, Gamblin’ Willie,” and “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues.”

Unissued copies of this canceled edition from the early ’60s are among the most valuable Dylan collectibles out there. Limited to 13,400 copies, this should see strong collector demand.

Chappell Roan – “The Subway / The Giver” With 30,000 copies available, this lavender 7-inch pairs her two recent singles for the first time. Chappell had a massive 2025, and her first RSD release could see solid demand from new fans wanting physical copies.

Post Malone – “Long Bed” Only 5,000 copies of this neon orange vinyl featuring nine tracks from the deluxe edition of “F-1 Trillion.” First time these tracks are available in physical format. Post is this year’s RSD Ambassador, which typically drives interest.

Bruno Mars – “It’s Better If You Don’t Understand” His debut EP is getting pressed on vinyl for the first time ever, limited to 13,000 copies. First-ever pressings of material from major artists tend to hold value.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “The Live Anthology: From The Vaults Vol. 1” Limited to 7,500 copies on turquoise blue vinyl, this double LP was originally only available as a bonus CD in the 2009 box set. First time on vinyl for material curated by Petty himself.

Fleetwood Mac – “Live 1975” Limited to 5,000 copies, this captures the band’s first tour with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, featuring early performances of “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.” Classic rock on limited vinyl typically holds steady value.

The list includes King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s “Live in 24” pressed on a paper airplane-shaped record (1,500 copies), Bad Brains’ “Live at the Bayou” from 1980-81 (predating their 1982 debut), and “Wicked For Good” soundtrack picture disc (15,000 copies) arriving one week after the movie sequel drops.

Billy Joel’s “Live From Long Island” captures his legendary 1982 Nassau Coliseum homecoming concert on 3xLP, while Joni Mitchell’s performances with Bob Dylan’s “Rolling Thunder Revue” get pressed on vinyl for the first time (5,500 copies).

Jazz collectors should note Miles Davis releases and various “Jazz Dispensary” compilations that RSD puts out twice yearly.

Let’s be real about flip potential here. Record Store Day releases are hit or miss because distribution varies wildly by store, and not every title sees the same demand on secondary markets.

The Bob Dylan “Original Freewheelin'” stands out as potentially the strongest flip. Canceled early pressings of this album are grails for Dylan collectors, and 13,400 copies worldwide isn’t that many when you consider global demand, especially after the premiere of Dylan’s biopic early this year.

The Prince box set should perform well given the low quantity relative to his fanbase size. Prince vinyl has proven resale value, and box sets with multiple colored vinyl pieces tend to attract serious collectors willing to pay premiums.

Chappell Roan is interesting because she had a huge year, but 30,000 copies is relatively high for RSD. Unless your store gets very few copies, you might be competing with other flippers. We have seen some of her records flip for serious profits this year.

The ultra-low quantities (under 5,000 copies) from artists with established collector markets are your safest bets. Talking Heads demos at 7,500 copies, Fleetwood Mac live at 5,000 copies, and Post Malone at 5,000 copies all fall into the sweet spot where scarcity could drive prices up without the risk of sitting on inventory.

Keep in mind that Record Store Day releases are final sale at most shops, meaning no refunds if you can’t move them. Call your local participating stores beforehand to ask what they’re getting and how many copies they expect. Many shops post their inventory on social media the day before.

The official RSD site has a store locator, and most independent record shops will have their allocation lists posted by November 27 or 28. Do your homework on quantities and local competition before lining up at 7 AM.

Th best platform for flipping vinyl is eBay, where sold listings show real market data. Discogs works too but tends to move slower. List within 24 hours of purchase while demand peaks, and be ready to adjust pricing based on how many other sellers are listing the same title.

Overall, this is looking like a middling Record Store Day. We’ve covered their past releases and seen resellers turn massive profits, but hype is considerably lower this time around. Be cautious and don’t go overboard.

Our take? Grab the Dylan, Prince, or Talking Heads if you can. Skip the higher-quantity releases unless you’re personally into the music. The strongest plays are always scarcity meeting established demand.