Discogs...

anyone ever actually used their marketplace? i was perusing some stuff and saw some things i might like to buy but i've never purchased anything on there and was wondering if anyone uses it without issue(not getting stuff, getting stuff damaged,etc)

 

...use it quite often, maybe too much. No issues really. I ask the seller questions before purchasing making sure it’s as described/advertised.

 

I only got one thing from their marketplace - a library disc album, two of whose pieces were used on The Benny Hill Show. I have a few others to go, as there are some questions as to certain stock musics used on the program I still have though I sewed up many others.

 

I've sold about 3-4 Beatles items on there, no issues....

 

Since 5 years I often buy LPs and CDs there and had no big issues so far.

 

I buy lots of stuff through them. If you're not buying new titles direct from the label or artist, though, I'd advise checking the seller's rating before ordering and scrolling through the other items they have for sale. If everything is either Mint or Near Mint, I'd be a bit suspicious. And, if you're paying premium prices (more than $100, say) for a specific rare edition of an album, email the seller before sending the money to confirm that they actually do have the exact edition they've listed. A lot of sellers just go by title, not by catalog or matrix #.

 

I buy several CDs from them every month. I have had one problem over four or five years, so one out of around 300 transactions is not too bad.

 

just what i need.ANOTHER place to spend money on music lol

 

I've deposited a lot of my retirement funds there.

 

...you asked.

 

I’ve never used Discogs. Considering how much I buy online from eBay and the like, I suppose that’s a bit odd.

 

I have recently just started and I have ordered 4 records over last month and half. Have not had an issues shipping wise and all came as described. One guy sent pictures when i requested. My main thing is looking at sellers recent reviews and last time he/she sold something. If reviews are good and looks like they have recently sold items, I pulled trigger. Probably biggest thing to watch out for because people have been scammed before there. Just my two cents but your wallet will be hurting more then that now! haha

 

I use it all the time, and love it. As suggested, though, it’s for third party sellers, so you may have issues with the sellers.

I sell through there, but I’m just a collector not an active business person. That’s one of it’s charms, though, finding other collectors who are willing to part with some of their collection. As 93curr said upthread you’ll also find artists and labels and indie shops selling there, too.

 

what's that? i couldnt hear you over the sound of me typing in my debit card number

 

Never ever any issues.
People are honest.
And if a seller has a bad rating, then don’t use him/her.
Also, it’s always possible to return an album if it’s not up to your standards.
They use Paypal.
Recommended.

 

It's far more reliable than Ebay, but the gradings people issue are a bit generous.

 

I've bought many items there, and only had one problem that could have been avoided if I'd read the reviews more carefully. After several months of getting no replies from the seller I contacted PayPal and got my money back.

 

I have made several purchases from sellers overseas with any issues. I have a bunch of stuff for sale on there that I don't want anymore. Turns out nobody else wants it, either. Come on, the VHS tapes and sleeves are in excellent condition!

 

I just started using it myself in the last month in order to find some rare CD's that had outrageous costs on eBay, and I actually saved quite a bit of money for some hard to find Elvis FTD's ( A speciality label created for his diehard fans) and a Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood greatest hits collection. Some stuff comes from Europe, so there is some additional shipping time on those CD's, but so far, so good.

 

Yes, very odd.

 

Imagine shopping for car but not being able to see a picture of it, yeah that's Discogs

 

And the seller can't even send you a picture of the "car" you want to buy without using an image hosting site or communicating with you outside of Discogs. I really dislike that part of the Marketplace.

 

You are going to encounter the similar issues on Discogs as any other online marketplace that deals with the selling of used records.

It won't necessarily be different to your experience on say eBay. You might luck out and have 10 great transactions vs 5 good and 5 bad on eBay but eventually you'll get 5 good, 5 bad on discogs vs 10 good on eBay.

My only advice is to read feedback for the seller (don't just look at the rating, look at what people wrote) and if you are looking for a specific pressing then send a message to the seller to confirm the one he has is the one you are looking for.

Some people like to ask for pictures. That's fine but a lot of sellers won't bother as many of them feel it's a waste of time (plenty complain that it hardly ever leads to sale) so if you do, make it clear as to what you are trying to verify and if you can verify that detail you will buy the record. Sellers are more likely to treat you as someone who isn't just kicking tires. Most of the time, when I ask, I tell them if they just confirm a certain detail then I don't need any pictures.

 

You don't need to communicate with them outside of Discogs outside of just getting an email with the photos. Once they send you an email with the photos, don't reply to that email, just reply within Discogs. This is what I do. No conversation takes place via private emails. That way any discussions that might need to be referenced by Discogs can still be referenced. But any issues are usually dealt with via PayPal if the seller is being troublesome and PayPal doesn't care about out messages via Discogs or otherwise.

 

99% of pics won't show the condition of a record anyway.