Help & Support
How-to guides, frequently asked questions and contact details for The Lead-In — adding records, valuations, leaderboards, importing your collection and more.
Frequently asked questions
- Is The Lead-In free to use?
- Yes. Reading the list, the essays and the deep dives is free, and creating an account to track and value your collection is free too.
- Do I need an account to read the site?
- No. The whole publication is open to read without signing in. You only need an account to save a collection, get valuations and appear on the leaderboards.
- How accurate are the valuations?
- Valuations are indicative estimates based on the specific pressing you own and the condition you set, drawn from public marketplace data and editorial judgement. They are a useful guide, not formal appraisals or investment advice.
- Why does my new record say Pending valuation?
- When you add a record we queue it for pricing. That usually settles within about 48 hours, after which its estimated value and value chart appear automatically.
- How do I work out which pressing I own?
- Open the Pressing Guide and use the runout/matrix identifier: type the artist, the title and the code etched into the record's run-out groove exactly as it appears, and we'll match it to the catalogued pressing with current prices.
- Are my collection and ranking public?
- Yes — every collection on the leaderboards is public, and other collectors can view what you own, its condition and its estimated value. You decide what goes into your collection.
- Can I import my collection from Discogs or a spreadsheet?
- Yes. Use Import in My Collection and upload a CSV. A Discogs export works well — include as many columns as you can for the best matches.
- How do I change my email, password or display name?
- Sign in, open the account menu in the top-right and choose Account settings, where you can update your details and manage your account.
- How do I delete a record, or my whole account?
- You can remove individual records at any time. To delete your account and all associated data, email luca@thelead-in.com and we'll take care of it.
- I found a mistake in an essay, ranking or pressing detail. What should I do?
- Tell us — email luca@thelead-in.com with the album and what's wrong, and we'll review it.
- How do I unsubscribe from emails?
- Every email we send has an unsubscribe link at the bottom — one click and you're off the list. You can also email us and we'll remove you.
- Do you use affiliate links?
- Some links to buy vinyl are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never influences our rankings, and we always disclose it.
Still need a hand? Email luca@thelead-in.com and a real person will get back to you.
© The Lead-In · an independent, reader-supported music publication.