Discogs

I'm US based and buy and sell on there. Here things are hit and miss when it comes to grading. A few bargains can be found but I would generally discount most ratings by a degree or two over what is advertised (but I tend to be a conservative grader).  Like other online marketplaces I would focus on sellers with a significant amount of feedback and at or near 100% positive.  

I wouldn't spend more than $5-$10 at any seller who would not allow returns & refunds. 

I've bought a few LPs and CDs via Discogs, and, so long as you do your groundwork, ask questions etc.. you should be fine.  I've had good experiences buying through the site so far.  

+1 to Richard. I've used it a few times. Only had one mild anomaly, when I hadn't realised just how many versions of an obscure 12" there were!

My experience has been varied.  I bought about ten albums a couple of months ago at a cost ranging from a fiver to thirty quid.  Some were as described but some were not - especially those described as mint.  Funnily enough the most expensive and the cheapest were the ones closest to their description.  As others have said, do your research first.

Thanks for the responses. I'll try ordering a couple and see how it goes.

Nigel

I've bought some 78s from the marketplace and been very pleased. Always check the seller feedback (of course!) before placing an order. You should also check the marketplace forum for any adverse commentary on potential sellers.

Generally positive experiences with vinyl and CD purchases here. Positive feedback is of course important to vendors, so they are (in my experience) happy to issue a refund or replacement item if necessary to keep the customer satisfied.

John.

My experience has been positive. Very useful site for pressing information as well. A good resource.

ATB,

Mark

It's a good site but there are some numpties on there; a dealer gave me negative feedback because I queried the cost of post and packing.  I find the vinyl gradings ok and more precise than general standard on eBay.  If you're buying vinyl beware of the companies like Wax Time who appear to be taking advantage of the 50 year master copyright in Europe and mastering some classic jazz and R&B albums to vinyl from CD.

I have only bought CDs - it tends to be where you can find some rare stuff not available elsewhere. No bad experiences so far.

Thanks for all of the responses. I'll be ordering some vinyl soon.

Nigel

Discogs is definetely my favourite source for used and deleted rarities.                                                                         I usually buy items in mint or near mint condition. Seller feedback & comments are a good guide. About item gradinf is way more reliable than eBay.

Anyway the real plus for a true collector is the item specifaction like year and country of release. For some artist there are hundreds of different editions for a single title and you can use it like a music encyclopedia and you also  have at hand your personal collection database with a minimum/maximum virtual value.

Regards

Roberto

I also buy fairly regularly there and would echo the comments others have made. I only have had one real problem when I ordered something from Italy and it didn't turn up. There was a serious failure of communication although the seller eventually claimed to have sent it. In the end he said he would send me a second copy that he had. (I doubt very much that he had two copies.) Because I then gave him poor feedback and wouldn't withdraw it,  he retaliated. I repeat this because I did complain to the site moderators and they removed his negative feedback from my record. I think this indicates the general reliability of the site. In addition, as Roberto says, the site is a fantastic resource and very useful for consultation when you are looking for used LPs in bricks and mortar shops and wonder about the price.

Clive

I once bought a copy on Chris Isaak Heart shaped world on discogs and seller from Europe said it was near mint and he had a 99% rating .

Once recived condition was vg at best and no inner sleeve .

I contacted seller multiple time to correct issue before before leaving rating and with no response so  i left a negative rating then he had the nerve to leave a buyer negative rating for me .

Within 2 weeks his rating went down to 65%  .

I now only buy from sellers with 100% rating as if there is a problem they will be happy for correct .

Agree with all the above positive comments just one bad experience an Italian seller asked me for 18 Euros postage on a 5 pound 12" single and then got very irate when I declined I buy a lot of Reggae from a German seller who is excellent but that is mostly new music as Richard said ask questions and if you are spending what to you is a lot then ask for photographs.