Alternative to Discogs marketplace

Yes, it's Discogs policy that the buyer must communicate with the seller to resolve any issue prior to leaving any negative feedback, otherwise it can be removed. As I mentioned in another post, the many policies at Discogs benefits the seller more that the buyer, and the ratings system is definitely not reflective of the actual history of the seller. You have to remember, Discogs is getting commission on purchases.

Having said that, there are many reputable sellers on Discogs and most of them don't bother with removing negative reviews, preferring to just adding a comment clarifying why the negative or actions to mitigate/resolve.

Also, as I mentioned before, the grading system at Discogs is problematic as well, as VG+ (Very Good Plus - which is the tier just below Near Mint) can include cut-outs/drill-hole items. Then there's a huge dropoff in the quality of items below VG+.

Re-linking Discogs grading policy here: How To Grade Items

 

@Skychan I know, I even suggested using the same grading system we have here and of course that fell on deaf ears. It just makes me wonder how many sales have slipped by buyers radar not giving my CD a M- rating when it's clearly better than their VG+ rating.

 

There have been sellers I have wanted to give + feedback to who I haven't even bought from on Discogs. I only started buying vinyl a year or so ago. I love their database, incomplete tho it is. I send a lot of item questions and receive many, not all, as answered. I have now only a couple dogs from Discogs but by and large so far I have been very pleased, happily surprised, and especially with the speed and accuracy of some of the sellers outside the U.S. - some have 'real' stores so that helps. Also have bought a few things I didn't really need or was curious about. A few sellers haven't given me a lot of deadwax info but most have. I don't like buying from sellers who only leave a generic grade, I like to have a few details about it and then I can follow up with an email. Otherwise with just the grade I really have to either trust it on its own completely or send an email with no real talking point to start with. Anyway, its been time consuming, account draining, educational, and fun. Have had some limited but good luck on ebay. The make an offer and buy it now options work well. Don't have time for the bidding option, so, I miss some there.

 

Is this inconsistent with other grading standards e.g., Goldmine? I've never had a problem with a cover being graded at VG+ if its only real flaw is saw mark or small drill hole. A large cut corner is a different matter.

 

Well, I ve never bought from Discogs although there is a lot of good stuff, but there is a thing ( I an ebay buyer from long time and for this reason I compare it) that don´t like: The sellers advertise their item, grade it but the photos they use are generic ones, I refer to the info site photos of a determinate pressing of a record and sleeve artwork, not the actual item they sell. And I want photos of the actual item to see if the seller grade vg+ cover you see it, not a i.e vg ringwear cover copy and alike.

Perhaps I am wrong but several things I have in my wish list appear in this way.

Have a nice day from north of Spain,

 

I've seen many that say they'll provide photos of the actual item, if you PM them. Have you not seen these ?

 

ah...not so I have to research more...ok..thanks a lot...so this is my main fear in Discogs.

 

Fair point though, also I would add that the evaluation system on eBay is pretty mature.

 

There are record stores that actually also sell LPs on Discogs. Like HMV, eil.com or recordsale and also lots of independent stores. The same guys also do offers on Ebay.
But yes, it depends what record/pressing you are looking for and if they have the certain copy in their store.

 

and I add into the music stuff, today arrived from eBay UK, a vg+ vinyl copy and vg+ gatefold sleeve of debut Blodwyn Pig - Ahead rings UK 1969 ISLAND 2NDP, and now playing it and relaxing.