Thread: Buying Vinyl From Discogs

As you all know i have started buying vinyl from various places. But my question is about when you buy vinyl from Discogs.

Sellers definitions of the Discogs Grading can be a bit hit or miss which can be a bit annoying.

I personally have only bought vinyl from Discogs sellers in NM or VG+ condition.

My question is - What is the lowest grade you would buy records in from Discogs and what condition were the vinyl/s in, whether they were playable etc?

Thanks in advance for the responses

I think we all have to accept that 20-year plus vinyl has to have had some wear and tear. Personally I wouldn't look below VG+, because NM or 'M' of some tunes is either extremely rare or too darn expensive. A lot of the cheaper end of the market (10 pound and under) seems to have VG+ more often than not, but I think it might be a case of trusting your instincts. Sometimes some sellers leave descriptions that might give you a little insight "has a pop at the beginning but plays fine...blah blah.." sort-of-thing

But I did think most of my own vinyl was in good nick but when Leon recorded some of it he had to really airbrush it to get out the pops and crackles......so it's really going to be hit & miss; on the whole. Ask maybe anyone who consistently uses Cogs if they have any specific sellers they recommend who always have tip-top vinyl. I doubt that everyone has perfect vinyl even when they claim near mint - unless they genuinely bought second copies never to be played to be sold later on a rainy day - but I doubt that happens a lot, really........so I think you're just going to actually have to tap-test the waters and see for yourself; whose got the grade A's and whose got the tramp's pants!!

as you say. all depends on the seller.

i have bought stuff that says Mint or NM... and they been shit, scratches and pops ... and other things

and i have bought stuf that say its G+ and though surcase scratches.. play mint.

gotta send the buyers mail and get ezactly what condition they are innit

All depends on the seller.
Mint to some people means it plays with no jumps!!

VG+ to others means it may have a couple of light marks on (but is virtually mint).

I think a lot depends on the seller when they grade the vinyl - it's just you don't know who is actually following the grading procedures accurately - and this is a problem.

I do look at feedback and see what's been said.

I also know that oldskool vinyl won't be in perfect condition after all this time but if some vinyl is say graded NM and it has pops and crackles in it and it may jump in places - to me this is not NM - so why does the seller list it as such. I just don't get it.

The Grading system is clearly listed on Discogs - surely it's not that difficult to understand

Also depends on how you listen to the tune to check condition - on naff speakers, crackle might not show up too well, so could get listed as excellent.
When listening on headphones (decent ones) it can pick up all sorts of noise.

Originally Posted by RenegadeGenius

Also depends on how you listen to the tune to check condition - on naff speakers, crackle might not show up too well, so could get listed as excellent.
When listening on headphones (decent ones) it can pick up all sorts of noise.

Must be a few sellers with duff speakers

I have bought vinyl on discogs and it's like anywhere else. If you're not happy with the condition in comparison to how it was described, get in touch with the seller and say so before leaving feedback. In my experience they will offer you some money off or something.

check the sellers feedbacks, if people are complaining steer clear of them.

I've found it very hit and miss. As someone said, it's best to email and check before buying.

My format is no vinyl worse than VG+ from sellers with less than 98% positive feedback.

Ideally I like to go for M/NM records from sellers with 99% positive feedback and above.

I've had only one or two unplayables in my experiences with Discogs, but to be honest I've only really been buying bargains, which have turned out duff. You can't really argue with an 20 year old record which is crackly if you buy it for £3. Though I will give lower feedback if the seller has stated it's VG+ or higher. If I've had a few duff records from a seller I'll mark them as ones to avoid in future. Have had more great quality oldskool finds than duff ones. Love Discogs personally.

Originally Posted by Bar

My format is no vinyl worse than VG+ from sellers with less than 98% positive feedback.

Ideally I like to go for M/NM records from sellers with 99% positive feedback and above.

Same for me really, although even with a high rep the last one I received in supposed mint condition came in a tatty cover and a couple of scratches here and there!!! It is pot luck occasionally!!

Never go below VG+. It's not worth taking the risk as trying to rectify the situation is very hard. I know from experience.

Personally never lower than VG+

As a seller i try and describe them as well as the ratings on discogs. Very annoying listing one as G+ then having a buyer complain because they didnt read what G+ will be like