How To Avoid Getting Scammed Or Screwed Buying Vinyl Records On Discogs | Talking About Records

[@hitonesrecordstore]

If you are new to Discogs this is probably the most informative record buying video you will ever see! Well done G.I.!

[@NTXVinyl]

Hey there! Really appreciate that 👏🏻

[@monaural2.988]

One of the main points that needs to be put out there is that if there is any item that has a good amount of demand, and there is a price on it that is too good to be true, you need to start drilling the seller with questions…lots and lots of them. Photos are a near must. With a good chunk of Rock and R&B especially, certain discs were played and played and went to lots of parties. “Near Mint” or even “Very Good Plus” should be proven by the seller.

[@patrick3926]

Great tip

[@NTXVinyl]

Oh yeah. Always asks for pics. I field them daily as a seller.

[@MetalSamantha]

I recent bought a VG+ that was more like a G

[@mflorkowski]

I started selling on Discogs a few months ago and I appreciate that people took a chance on my shop. I am super communicative and love when customers asks me questions or ask for photos! Great video! Thanks for posting! Really enjoying the Discogs platform as a seller and buyer!

[@apollomemories7399]

You'll soon get tired of these questions and photos requests.

[@DorianPaige00]

Everybody has to start somewhere so I 'd take a chance on a newbie. If someone has a handful of records available, they may give more personal service as it is likely going from collector to collector. The real red flag is a newbie selling all rare expensive stuff.

[@NTXVinyl]

Agreed. Just have to be smart

[@austinhunt4260]

Make sure a new seller is highly responsive and will provide photos.

[@bubble-and-scrape]

Giving a new seller a chance is important though. How else should one get reviews. You have to start somewhere right?

[@garyscarpulla100]

No doubt. I've had great success dealing with new sellers and when there was a problem, he refunded me very quickly. The biggest problem I run into with sellers new and old is listing a record under the wrong pressing.

[@semperfi-1918]

Finally caught you live. Thanks for all the information.

[@whittierlibrarybookstore3708]

Personally, when it comes to the Jacket, a clean cover (nm-) is more important then lets say, edge-ware or shelf-ware on the back side. So when there is no description, I will ask a seller "You graded the jacket VG+, how is the cover?" or ask what is important to you. PS I would never buy from someone who took a couple of days to reply to an inventory question. They certainly will not reply if I have a problem.

[@NTXVinyl]

Makes total sense. I answer questions like that every day on Discogs

[@temporoboto]

💙Cool vid. Here's a good newbie tip. Look up the variant you want & put it in your want list. That way, when you get notified that it's for sale, you don't have to research it from scratch.

[@austinhunt4260]

Great video GI! I sell 4x as many records as I buy and I’m rarely very happy with my purchases, unfortunately. Returns are a major hassle, so I rarely buy. Honestly, anyone with under 100% rating is suspect and you need to dive into that. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker because there can be unfair ratings, but it’s a red flag. 4 stars (80%) is a subpar seller. I would probably never buy a record from a seller with a rating under 95%.

[@apollomemories7399]

With Discogs it's quite simple. If I'm not happy with the grading of the album then it gets sent back and my return post costs are also refunded.

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

I rarely buy records that cost more than $100 but recently paid $200 for a first pressing of a hip hop record. The record was VG+/VG+ and the guy said the vinyl is a STRONG VG+, and he has 100% positive feedback. I get the record and it’s barely a G+ visually and is literally covered in scratches and sounds horrendous. I honestly don’t get people like that. Do you think I’d be ok with that? “VG+” is too risky a grade to buy anymore. NM isn’t much better but I find you’re more likely to get at least a VG+

[@austinhunt4260]

Honestly, anyone with under 100% rating is suspect and you need to dive into that. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker because there can be unfair ratings, but it’s a red flag. 4 stars (80%) is a subpar seller. I would probably never buy a record from a seller with a rating under 95%.

[@pioneer8634]

Thank you I’m new to Discogs good stuff to know

[@booieaguilar4792]

Just out of curiosity NTX, if your a new person on Discogs and to the vinyl community, then is what your saying discourage people to buy from new sellers that are really maybe trying to make a couple extra bucks by posting on Discogs? Hope to hear from you soon

[@patrick3926]

If you are a new seller, I think the point is that it may take time to build up your selling profile. It’s harder until you have the history. Scammers create ghost accounts and sell and buy. Often there is no history. I see this on eBay where they win a bid and then don’t want to pay

[@NTXVinyl]

It all comes down to trust. If a seller is nondescript, solely online, with no public reputation - then yes, it’s going to be much harder to succeed. Buyers don’t like buying from invisible people. Build a brand, be multichannel, make yourself known….and THEN items will sell.

[@booieaguilar4792]

@@NTXVinyl maybe I'm being nieve but I've bought off Discogs for a little bit now and I buy from different people with no reputation and I haven't had any problems. I'm not trying to argue or be condescending but I don't believe it's fair to people that have picked up the hobby and feel they have something that another collector may want to start to sell. I agree that there should be steps to reassure that your buying the correct record and the condition your paying for but to say don't buy from any new seller I think is wrong. Maybe I'm wrong, but I hope others put their perspective in And leave a comment in this chat between me and you. And I love your channel by the way lol, just wanted to throw that out there man.

[@kurjan1]

@@booieaguilar4792 I agree. Which is why communication is so vital. You can tell pretty quickly if a seller is not legit.

[@whittierlibrarybookstore3708]

As a buyer and seller on Discogs I have a love hate relationship with them. Hate the seller interface to print labels, no one there has ever sold on eBay. I have a Wishlist but continue to reduce my list due to sellers unlisting their inventory and then immediately reposting their inventory so it shows up as a new listing. Then the same sellers/albums constantly appear in my want list feed. And my #1 complaint. There is no way to communicate with them. They are the 800lb gorilla in vinyl sales. If eBay had their interface to use generic pictures I would switch in a heartbeat. Love the wonderful sellers that grade well and package professionally.

[@NTXVinyl]

Look into Pirate Ship. It's free and seamlessly pulls in orders from Discogs, eBay, and others - streamlines it all.

[@VictorMartinez-vr5jq]

Hey just wondering, which distributors do you buy wholesale from? This question seems to be a touchy topic and not shared within the record shops I shop from. Maybe perhaps my record friend see me getting ready for my first pop, idk??

[@NTXVinyl]

There are basically a handful of large US distributors, known as "one stops" Alliance Entertainment All Media Supply URP Music Distributors Ingram Entertainment Beyond that there are countless small-to-medium indies, and you can slo go direct to label in many cases.

[@williamdenton5716]

It's hard for me to imagine that I am the only seller (2000 listings) who has run into crooked buyers. As the buyer you can determine who you choose to do business with. As the Seller, I don't have that option. I am reluctant to say the various manners in which buyers have scammed me. This includes reviews. I exercise integrity as a seller. My name and reputation is important to me. My desire to operate with honor also makes me vulnerable to buyers who don't.

[@TomTester-ey1rt]

How do buyers scam the sellers? The sellers hold all the cards

[@williamdenton5716]

@TomTester-ey1rt , you couldn't be more wrong. PayPal, and to a lesser extent, Discogs, ALWAYS side with the buyers. In addition the buyer has the power of leaving reviews, dishonest reviews can cripple an online business. Recently I had a dishonest review from a buyer with zero experience and I didn't sell a record for 2 days while that review was the most recent. Another Example ? I stand behind the grading I assign, and if a customer is unhappy then I offer a full refund. I sold a $300 Jackie Wilson record in NM condition. The buyer received the record and then complained about the condition. He returned the record for a full refund. But it wasn't MY record. It was the same album, the same artist and the same Pressing, but the buyer returned a thrashed, trash record, in my original sleeve. In this case the buyer kept my NM record and returned his trash record. So he got my $300 copy and I got his $5 copy. I have more examples. In zero of these situations does PayPal or Discogs offer the seller any support or assistance.

[@garyscarpulla100]

My buyer rating is 100% on Discogs and it's important to me. I make sure to never waste a seller's time especially when I make an offer on listings that allow it. I pay immediately upon invoice on all transactions and one very frustrating thing to me is when there is no communication from the seller after I pay or shipping is slow. If I pay immediately I expect at least some form of communication back. Nothing bothers me more than silence or the dreaded "shipping label created, PO awaiting item" that drives me nuts

[@whittierlibrarybookstore3708]

Was that a click bait post? As others have said your comment is not based on reality. @@TomTester-ey1rt

[@oldskool1979]

What if the seller is dead ? And you bought an album ?

[@PieterKleij]

Well done !!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks!

[@garyharper2943]

I like eBay better, not perfect, but refunds are handled properly. Had a couple problems with ratings and received mutually acceptable discounts. My favorite seller listens to every record he sells 100%. Sometimes someone with one record to sell is great. How about a store in Durant!

[@eti313]

Looks like if I want to sell on Discogs, I'll have to get a few dozen friends to buy my stuff so I won't set off any red flags.

[@patrick3926]

I’ve noticed when selling on eBay that many scammers will have a ghost profile with no feedback, they bid and win and then they come up with excuse to cancel after they win the bid. Similar situation you mention about the Discogs sellers with no feedback or history.

[@NTXVinyl]

That’s such BS

[@semperfi-1918]

How do you price something that has no solds history on discogs?

[@NTXVinyl]

Also check eBay with the “Sold Items” filter on.

[@semperfi-1918]

@@NTXVinyl thanks. Im sure im not the only one who can use this information. Keep up the great videos.

[@sheepdog02]

Another good place for checking sales history is popsike

[@williamdenton5716]

I have had no problems buying records thru Discogs. Selling records is where I have discovered the problem causers.

[@EddyTeetree]

No sorry to disagree but according to this no one would be able to start selling you just shat them all down. Bit unfair as everyone started with no sales Why not check to see if they have a good buyer history? You should message every seller and see if it was play graded not bs sight graded. A good seller will agree to listen to it if they haven’t already. Also I bought two expensive hard to get albums from a new seller in another country and they got here fine! Oh yeah there’s also a scammer warning list in the blog if you’re nervous. Ha ha I once receives an album from the States thru Discogs that was damaged. I got real upset but then discovered my dog had chewed it coz the postie left it over the fence.

[@pauluz1969]

Watch out for those sellers in Russia. Big scam alert.