What is it with Discogs sellers? Post your horror stories here...

You’re posting on a public forum. If you want an echo chamber, speak into one. If you speak on a public forum, thicken your skin for blowback.

think for a minute about what sellers that are able to offer a lot of great records deal with to provide great records. Or what you and the other dude call a ‘sausage factory’. News flash: that ‘factory’ is dealing with estates, making financial investments, cleaning, holding the inventory, doing the accounting… Yet all you people whinging here make it all about you and how your needs aren’t met.

You seem to have a hard time hearing opposing viewpoints or thinking critically about how your behavior rubbed someone the wrong way.

if you can’t see the difference between what the other poster said they would have asked versus how you worded it, I strongly recommend reading the book called Non Violent Communication. Your barrage of questions and how you stated them was condescending and rude, dude. I would have blocked you, too. No need to sell to problematic buyers, as you’re not the only person looking for that record.

 

Can you explain why me disagreeing with your assessment of my Discogs interaction has anything to do with an inability to hear opposing viewpoints or a lack of a thick skin? I listened to your points, disagreed with them, and argued why — then you argued back, and so on and so forth. Seems like a normal argument to me.

To your other point, sure we can all post in any thread we like, but it is a little odd to pop into a thread about a specific thing and start arguing in a way that makes it seem like you disagree with the very reason the thread exists. This thread is literally about whining about sellers. If you don't like that, then... I don't know, don't read it?

And yes I get selling records, thousands of records, is a full time job. Never said it wasn't. It is also certainly easier to deal with folks who aren't as discerning as I am when it comes to record condition and are just cool buying stuff blind. If they want to block me, if you want to block me, it's all good.

But I don't think my questions were rude. I don't think they were condescending. I wouldn't call asking four questions a barrage. Looking at a record under a strong light v ambient light is a huge difference. It's important for me to know which they used to visually grade. Play grading v visually grading is obviously the biggest difference. Should I have waited until they responded to a more generic question to ask my more specific question? Sure, maybe. But I've been burned enough times by big sellers on Discogs to ask the questions I ask with the specificity I ask them up front and most of the time folks are fine with it and we all end up happier people for it. I do think if you can't defend your process of grading that is in itself saying something, which was my initial point.

In the end, I was just blowing off steam in the thread that's literally for blowing off steam about this topic.

 

I understand your frustration however I would not have used the words you were using in the email to the seller. Explain you are a discerning buyer and ask politely how the seller is grading his albums would be my advice for future cases.
Some sellers are also wary of people asking questions as they believe people wanting more information in the end do not buy anything.

 

If buying say a particular pressing of a CD I'm after I ask politely if it is the one I'm after as opposed to another I have no interest in but just happens to share the same catalog number and providing a link to the one I don't want.

Yes, I've been down that road of someone asking and not buying. An inconvenience, but it doesn't happen often thankfully.

 

Let me translate that to what many seller hear in their head when they read messages like that: "Hello! I am an annoying buyer and if you sell to me you will live to regret it."

It's not unreasonable to want to know, but for many sellers, it would be seen as a warning sign.

What you might be better off doing is to ask specific questions about a particular items grade you might be concerned about. For example, you can ask "Can you tell me if there are any marks or scratches which can be felt?" That will likely work out better though don't always expect a response as not all sellers bother regardless, especially high volume ones.

 

Yes, you completely get it. It’s all about walking in to a conversation respectful of both a sellers time and expertise. Unless one believes in the guilty until proven innocent concept.

When I receive messages like this, I also interpret it as someone just doesn’t trust me or believe me. That immediately sets a bad tone. I make a living selling records in my store and online. It’s especially offensive that people would use this ‘sausage factory’ analogy, as it shows a complete disrespect for what I, and others, do. To those who view us that way with such an elitist attitude, you’re more tuan welcome to hit the field and find your own records! It just so happens that thru my contacts and reputation I am able to get a steady flow of great records, and it makes me happy to get them to people who enjoy them.

life is too short to deal with hassle from people who have a bad attitude.

 

Can kind of see both sides here.

Shady seller: "oh crap, I am rumbled. Block this guy".

VS

Decent, experienced seller: "oh man, been down this road before, one of these guys who is never going to be satisfied. Block this guy".

 

Yeah, I totally agree with this.

I can definitely understand needing more information as a buyer, but I personally think it's wise to try and stay short and to the point with what you want to know. Is it dead on critical that you have that matrix? You should feel comfortable asking about it and they should be comfortable answering.

As an occasional seller of items of value, my antennae start going up into category 2 when people have a laundry list of questions or have more than a short follow-up to my initial communication. Even in my relatively modest amount of online selling experience I have developed a sixth sense of when a would-be buyer's tone indicates that they are likely to be a problem. I usually shut down the sale when I get that feeling now, as it seems that when I don't I end up having problems of one sort or another. And for me, ultimately, when I sell it is a hobby, not a business, and I don't need the money bad enough to put up with the negative vibes that come along with some of these problem sales.

 

As a seller, I find nothing wrong with the question you asked or the tone of the question.

Occasionally a buyer will ask a question in a way that makes me think that this buyer is going to be trouble. But the question you asked and the way you asked it wouldn't make me feel that way.

 

Just a heads up for anyone who doesn't know yet - Paypal's return shipping reimbursement program is about to end. Not really surprising, unfortunately. Here's the text from their email:


Our Return Shipping on Us service is coming to an end. Starting November 27th, 2022, PayPal will no longer provide free return shipping labels or refunds for return shipping costs. Make sure to submit any eligible requests before the above date to ensure your claim is accepted.

We understand that Return Shipping on Us will be missed. The good news is we’re constantly working on new ways to help you as a shopper. And remember, Purchase Protection will continue to be available on eligible purchases.



But the bolded part is reassuring, huh? Typical empty corporate speak.

 

I guess you missed the memo. Paypal Return Shipping on Us is going away soon

 

Yep, memo missed.

But I suppose it can't hurt to have it here also. Maybe I'm not the only memo misser!

 

The wider audience view is always better.

 

i joined Discogs on July 17, 2019. i've made 296 purchases since then.
i had one issue with a record that was fairly dirty; i contacted the seller; seller refunded 50% of the cost (~$10.00); i had the record cleaned with a Degritter for $4.00 at a local audio shop which happens to be across the street from my job; i gave the Discogs seller a positive rating and i'm satisfied with my purchase.

i am in no way affiliated with Discogs beyond being a member/user -- ymmv

 

On the main Discogs is good and I use it often, but like everybody I've had some bad experiences.

I got an apparently "factory sealed" mint condition CD. It arrived and straight away something was up as the inlay was visibly creased on the front. I opened the seal and the disc was scratched and fingerprinted, and as for the inlay... Wow. I think it went through the washing machine. I've actually never seen one in such bad condition.

I contacted the seller about it, who said he didn't accept returns, and would refund me a "portion" of the cost as I still had the CD.

He then left *me* negative feedback, and when I went to contest this, Discogs sided with the seller and refused to remove it, and engage any further in it. It was actually incredible.

Another bad experience was partly my issue, but I was surprised at how the shop operated. I accidentally ordered the cassette version instead of the CD. Literally seconds after doing so, I contacted the seller and asked if they would cancel the cassette and I would re-order the CD instead.

They came back rather abrasively and said that the item has left their stock and the transaction therefore has to be finalised. I asked, well, can you just not send it? To which they refused and said in order for their books to balance and stock take to agree it has to be posted. They also didn't accept returns. So, although it was only £2 or so, I was lumbered with a cassette I didn't want. It seemed so bizarre. That seller also left me negative feedback, in spite of me being polite and accepting his position, calling me a "time waster". Again, when contested, Discogs would not remove it.

I struggle with the concept that sellers can leave negative feedback on buyers. If it is evidenced that the buyer has paid for the item, i.e., held up their end of the transaction, how is it right they can receive negative feedback when they try to resolve issues?

 

But you see, by that logic, sellers can leave negative feedback for buyers because they think "I sent the item out as promised. I held up my end of the transaction". Would that make them right? Well, it's the same with buyers.

Sometimes there's more to a transaction than just paying or just shipping, and just as you have a right to convey your perception of how a seller handled his end, so should a seller have the right to warn other potential sellers about a problem buyer. I'm not saying I think you're a problem buyer, just that they do in fact exist. Scammers, rude or abusive buyers, self-entitled people who make unrealistic requests or demands, etc.

The real problem, as I see it, isn't that both parties can leave negative feedback - which, used properly, constitutes a system of checks and balances - but is instead that Discogs seemingly refuses to arbitrate feedback complaints realistically.

 

Just had a run in with a seller called 'ljbmusicuk' on a Christmas LP that was sold as NM but turned up as G. Got it sent back and such, refunded the post to and from me but he was a right funny one.
Told me he received it back damaged (bent sleeve which was it bad condition to start with) and I just told him I barely touched it, because why would I want to? Was out and back into the mailer in minutes.
He left me negative buyer feedback as I left him neutral feedback and ruined his 100% rating. Not that I really care, but allowed me to leave a 'Should have gone to specsavers' reply on my profile which should give some a chuckle in the future, considering 9 years of 162 positive feedbacks vs 1 negative from a nutter.
Another one to avoid unfortunately.
Guy probably has a complex by the sounds of it, left his feedback to me as '1st complainer in 800 orders' as though I'd care? I let him get on with it and left a comment on the release to warn others of his listing, if anyone cares to read it.

Images of the LP he sent as NM:



I wish I could say that was dust.



You can tell this wasn't going to be NM by looking at the spindle hole alone!

 

Good grief! Who grades his records? That is disgusting.

 

Wow, that sucks in many ways.

The copies I got for $1/each from Rasputin's bargain bin were mint, for what it's worth

 

Jesus Paul, even a Crosley doesn't deserve that kind of abuse.

 

You should report that negative feedback entry. Discogs will remove it as merely writing "1st complainer in 800 orders" is not a valid reason to post a negative feedback at all.

 

Thanks for the tip. Have done that and will see what it will bring.

 

Maybe that seller thinks NM stands for Not Mint.

 

Is it ok to list the seller here?

I just got burned on a $200+ order from a UK seller. 100% feedback but only 103 transactions.
All listed VG+ All have excessive noise. Not just a spot of crackle or a tic here and there. There are numerous instances of this to various degree including very loud pops in several places.

He told me all were play tested too. Though he told a few different versions of when he did this.
Caught him in several lies aside from that, so now red flags on his word being trusted.

Overall these are over-graded by a MINIMUM of 2 grades.

Only offer was send back at my expense. Then he would decide. Really? Which from USA to UK isn’t cheap. Order was about $40 shipping to me.
I complained, he got ugly and went further downhill.

One lp has a double label miss-pressed into part of the last track. Seller states it can’t be heard. This one is partially my fault in that I thought he meant into the runout as he listed that it doesn’t affect playback. Furthermore he insisted it was play tested, and it can’t be heard. I say that is an impossibility. Anybody think otherwise?

I also have a 100% feedback going back to music forums pre ebay. Ebay, Head-fi, Audiogon, etc. Discogs too though haven’t been there very long.
I recall giving 2 negative feedbacks in like 25 years or so of doing this.

I opened my first ever PayPal case on this. I’m really quite sick over it and don't feel like I will use discogs again right now. Though I can think of ways to be more cautious. That starts by not just trusting someone because they have 100% feedback.

I need to post pics. I’ll try to sort that out.

This was my 2nd order outside the USA. The other being from Japan which was a complete home run!

My TT
Marantz TT-15s1 with Virtuoso cart with AT VM95 ML stylus. Props go to this stylus for even being able to track through all this mess.