Online Record Shopping

[MylesBAstor]

Would you buy less than a mint or NM record?

Multiple answers allowed in this poll.

[jonathanb]

Would you buy less than a mint or NM record?

Only if buying at a thrift store, garage sale, etc. But that's a slightly different question I'm answering, isn't it?

[rockitman]

I have no problem with EX quality on great classical original issues.

[Metamatic]

Buying online - never. Even when some sellers state NM, when you receive it and go WTF.
Some sellers have no idea on record grading

[RoadDawgWest]

My experience with on-line used record purchases has been mostly misses. I quickly learned sellers are challenged to grade a record accurately.

[Guest]

You can learn which sellers know how to grade properly and which do not. I will look at ratings and comments and price. For the most part I've had pretty good luck, but rarely buy lower than NM.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

As long as they are honest about the rating. I've had too many cases where they claim NM and price it accordingly, but it ends up being pretty noisy, and maybe VG at best.

[Rob]

it really depends on the vendor. there are sellers that visually grade all their stock at VG+ that under promise and over deliver. then there are a few that promise NM or better and its schlock. I've purchased hundreds of used records online over the last few years and maybe 5% fall below my personal grading criteria.

[RandyRobinson]

I record everything I buy to digital. Using a light RX declick makes most pops and clicks disappear enabling mint playback.

[Beaur]

Unlike many, I seem to have good luck. I hardly ever buy NM though. I go for the lesser stuff and have found most to under-represent the condition. I've had many records graded at good that were flawless with most of the bad condition issues on the sleeve, which I care little about. Also not looking to flip so I don't mind overpaying a little to get somehting i really want if it's rare.

[dcc]

I have a dozen of trusted sellers on Discogs from whom I purchase classical music records. I tend to go for NM but don't mind VG+ if I really want the record. Used classical music records seem to be in better shape than rock ones.

[rockitman]

Buying online - never. Even when some sellers state NM, when you receive it and go WTF.
Some sellers have no idea on record grading

Worth the risk. 95% of the time the records I get from eBay are graded fairly. Most good sellers have return policies. Many great records are only available overseas...eBay makes it possible to get the world's best records w/o travelling, ect...Indispensable, imo.

Yes, many desirable vinyls are overseas. Euro postal costs are crazy.

[JCOConnell]

If its a really rare rock record and its hard to come by and its a solid VG+ and priced right, I will buy it.

[Madfloyd]

I have had mostly good luck with NM on eBay and discogs. But I do read feedback on sellers and pay close attention, especially if order from overseas (which probably accounts for 80% of my purchases).

[Madfloyd]

Forgot to mention that something to look out for on discogs is that sellers will categorize as NM so that it appears in the list when buyers use NM filters... and then buried in the description mention that it's something slightly less than NM.

[JCOConnell]

I'm really picky on classical Lps so I wont buy anything but SS,M or NM if its classical.

Me too. Though I've run into a main line reseller who can't tell (or won't disclose) the difference between a Still Sealed and a Re-Sealed. Sometimes I ask for a description of the bag / sealed wrapper.