Alternatives to Discogs for purchasing vinyl?

Discussion in 'Marketplace Discussions' started by dougotte, May 13, 2018.

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  1. dougotte

    dougotte Petty, Annoying Dilettante Thread Starter

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    As promised, I'm going to start giving feedback on the helpful suggestions:

    I haven't done this for decades, but I should give it a try.

    +
    I recently ordered Vangelis' Heaven and Hell from an Ebay seller in Japan. The price was very good ($26 US) for a near-mint copy, and shipping was free. Amazingly, it arrived from Japan to me on the East Coast of the US in just over a week!

    The selection of vinyl available on Amazon seems to be drying up.

    I have bought a few used and new titles on Amazon. Recently, I ordered a Roedelius LP that was supposedly in stock, but it actually took Amazon over a month to locate a copy and send it.

    Thanks. I've started browsing here.

    I have bought several Bureau B releases (Cluster, Peter Baumann, and Roedelius). Aside from the cover art, which is not quite as good as the originals (probably because they don't have access to the original artwork), the vinyl quality is exceptional. However, Bureau B doesn't offer any Tangerine Dream titles. I'm mostly trying to track down their 80s and 90s titles, which haven't been re-released.
     
    Bryce likes this.
  2. BlueSpeedway

    BlueSpeedway Curated Iconic Half-Speed Punk

    Location:
    England
    Yes, agreed about Bureau B LP covers, can be quite blurred compared to originals, eg Cluster and Eno.
     
  3. dougotte

    dougotte Petty, Annoying Dilettante Thread Starter

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    I just tried Music Stack, and it was a good experience. The seller let me know he'd be away for a few days. I wasn't in a hurry, so we completed the transaction when he returned. The LP arrived yesterday from California in one week, which is pretty good. It was as advertised.
     
    ggergm, tmtomh and AlmostHeavenWV like this.
  4. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I used to used it quite a bit back in the day. But I find myself frequently forgetting to even visit the site if what I'm looking for isn't on eBay or Discogs. I wish they'd update their interface as it hasn't changed in over 10 years it seems.
     
  5. Willowman

    Willowman Senior Member

    Location:
    London, UK
  6. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I bet they did look but they did what I see a lot of people doing when looking; not even pulling the entire record out and just pulling most of it out, quick look and yup NM. Saw it in a record shop. Had a look at the record properly, both sides and yes, that half of the record did look NM, too bad the other half had a huge mark and the other side wasn't NM either.

    Or maybe they didn't look at all!
     
  7. eddiel

    eddiel Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Sells on eBay as well and I think I saw him at the WFMU fair a few years ago. Don't recall ever buying anything from them (apart from the WFMU stall if it really was them) but I've heard their grading is spot on. VG+ really is VG+. I forgot they had a website so I'll have to keep it in mind.
     
  8. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    I haven't used him in donkey's years, but I never had a problem when I did.
     
  9. tmtomh

    tmtomh Forum Resident

    In addition to the FS forum in the Classifieds here, there's also a WTB forum area. Never hurts to post your wish list there - many folks here have sufficiently large collections that they might have what you want lying around and never thought to post it for sale here.
     
  10. dougotte

    dougotte Petty, Annoying Dilettante Thread Starter

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    I decided to give Discogs another go and found a copy of another TD album advertised as mint (opened but unplayed) for a fair price. After the seller received payment, and waiting 4 days, I asked about shipment. It was then shipped the next day without a word of explanation or apology.

    I received it yesterday from Germany. It took only a week, which is very good. I haven't listened to it yet, but it does appear to be unplayed.

    It was overall a positive experience. The delay in shipping was a minor nitpick. I've had the same issue from other sellers on Discogs. I don't see how it could be the fault of Discogs; I'm just relaying my anecdotal experiences.
     
  11. Yost

    Yost “It’s only impossible until it’s not”

    I’m not sure if it’s related to vinyl purchases, but I’m buying used CDs all the time and mostly my experience is good to very good. Probably grading is less difficult with CDs. But also most sellers I dealt with respond quickly, are friendly and ship fast.
     
    cwitt1980 and Dave like this.
  12. cporcp

    cporcp Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kentucky
    Same here ^^. Actually my odds were somewhat better but still disappointing.
     
  13. Archguy

    Archguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond VA
    Aww great, I have to post 42 more times before I can visit ?

    I hate it when people talk too much, and that includes me.

    So....how's the weather? Really hot where I am :rolleyes:
     
  14. Archguy

    Archguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond VA
    Then when I do try to post, I get
    • This message is awaiting moderator approval, and is invisible to normal visitors.

    This isn't going very well so far :(
     
  15. Archguy

    Archguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond VA
    There ought to be some sort of dispensation available for regular, long-time users on other audio forums (AudioKarma for instance) to be certified upon confirmation that it is in fact the same person. But I'm just rambling :cool:

    I do like the emoticons here :tiphat:
     
  16. Archguy

    Archguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond VA
    woohoo I'm up to 9 posts now :wiggle:

    I joined a year ago.

    • Likeable! (10.00)
    • Your likes:messages ratio is 10.00
    That should count for something!!
     
  17. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.
    Time to contribute more @Archguy. It's the only way unfortunately.
     
  18. Archguy

    Archguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond VA
    No sweat! I've calculated that at my current rate I'll qualify in only four more years :)
     
    Dave likes this.
  19. joselito

    joselito Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sao Paulo, Brazil
    I have the feeling that original releases (before vinyl revival), at least considering genres I am particularly interested (Prog Rock, Synth and related) are severely drying up, and I also wonder if record sellers are leaving eBay (I get the feeling that whenever I search a particular title there, I get half page results than I did, say, 4 years ago).

    Well, I'm in a sort of similar situation. Trying to have other options than eBay, Discogs and Music Stack, but usually whatever I can't find on those 3 sites I can't find on other places either.
     
  20. Bill Hart

    Bill Hart Forum Resident

    Location:
    Austin
    I'm not sure there is any one source for old copies of specific 'grail' pressings.
    I agree that really pristine older copies don't often surface for sale, and when they do, are typically above market in price.
    There are flukes--I've gotten some great copies from different sellers via Discogs, E-Bay, etc. but it isn't consistent.
    I usually engage the seller in an online dialog in advance, both to confirm that it is the correct pressing and to verify condition.
    Even if you find a good seller, there is very little likelihood that they will have in stock what you are chasing.
    Stores and shows-- I usually just toss my mental 'want list' and search through what is available.
    Part of the fun is the chase, but it can be frustrating.
    I don't know whether over-grading has always been endemic- i think it has been--but it certainly seems more difficult now to find un-trashed copies of specific old pressings. Perhaps it is a question of standards--I don't care about the visual aspects of an LP if it plays well. But, I'm intolerant of any noise, audible damage or warps.
    I have a very comprehensive cleaning regime, and a substantial de-warping machine, but those still don't remedy all problems.
    That's why I try to vet the record and seller in advance. Saves some trouble, but that process is not foolproof either.
    PS: friends who are also constantly shopping can keep an eye out for things you want.
     
  21. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    This relates to a 2 CD/2 DVD box, so not strictly relevant to the OP's question.

    I wanted to buy a copy of the above Summer Of Love 40th Anniversary box - Discogs has one for sale, at €350.00/£317.44 ("very rare"). Amazon.com had one at $750, but it's not listed now. Sold?
    Joe McDonald's Country Store sells them for $30.

    My advice is to search hard and don't pay ridiculous prices.

    Edit: - Joe's 1971 E.P. Resist is listed at $150 on Discogs, in Near Mint condition. Joe sells them for $50.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2018
    Bill Hart likes this.
  22. radickeyfan

    radickeyfan Forum Resident

    for Vinyl Ebay is the best , i find about 10 or so sellers i like and stick with them
     
    Lucca90 likes this.
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