Vinyl (Trading/Selling/Etc.)
February 6th, 2020
Thanks in advance!
Check out this forum ask your questions here http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=index&
Discogs & Ebay
http://www.discogs.com/
I’ve been using both for a few years now selling vinyls and CDs and I’m happy with the outcome.
You will have to do a bit of work first though because both sites need images of the cover plus each side of the vinyl center information stickers. I do my vinyl images using a scanner and to create the 12″ covers I have to take two images and stitch them together. You can however find some images using Google.
If you use either of these sites be sure to have a look at the acceptable image sizes for the site. I can’t remember Discogs sizes but ebay requires that at least one side of the image needs to be 1600 pixels.
Research your prices using either site to see what others are charging before you decide on your own price and make sure you test weigh a vinyl/CD fully packaged before deciding upon the postage and packaging costs. In my case I use the Royal Mail website to check postage before including it in any listing.
When it comes to packaging itself I use bubble envelopes (much cheaper buying these online in 25s or 50s). And always put a good cardboard stiffener in the package, especially for 12″ vinyl which can be bent and cracked in transit if not handled correctly … You can use most any cardboard for stiffeners and I just cut up cardboard boxes to fit the size of the record/vinyl.
So, for checking your postage costs you need to put the vinyl plus cover, plus bubble envelope, plus cardboard stiffener on your kitchen scales (digital is best) to get to the weight for calculating postage and packaging, remembering that double LP’s/EP’s are heavier than a single.
Sell your records all around the world when you list them but be prepared to have the odd one or two go missing where you must refund the buyer …. you don’t get enough going missing to make it any concern so don’t worry about this too much.
Include all types of vinyl … i.e. White label, test pressings etc. and if your record doesn’t sell 1st 2nd or 3rd/4th time around keep on listing it because a person wanting to buy it might not have been looking for it in the short time frame (10 days max on ebay) that the listing is posted.
Lastly but not least check how much ebay/Discogs (and PayPal if you intend using them, which I do) charge for insertion and/or sale before finalizing your start price because they will take their share of the proceeds. Discogs only take a percentage when the vinyl sells and your listing there will remain permanently until you delete it.
EDIT: I just remembered …… Download ebay’s free Turbo Lister (free), although it’s slow on my computer it’s a very handy listing creation and database tool to have and saves me a lot of time by not constantly having to do duplicate listings over and over again when I want to relist something … and you can use it to upload multiple listings at one time.
Here’s a couple of links to show you how I list my stuff on ebay using Turbo Lister (the Jumbo Jaffa image is my own little creation)
12″ Vinyl:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251712012835?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
CD:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251712019195?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
When it comes to buying vinyl have a look at job lots/wholesale etc in ebay. You might find something there although many of the listing due to weight of vinyl is collect only. If you have a car, it’s best to collect from the country you live in. But you do find the odd one or two on ebay where it’s worthwhile having a job lot etc. delivered by post/courier.
EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to mention grading for used records/CD’s …… You must have a good look at the record/CD and grade it correctly, don’t overgrade because you’ll just end up with bad feedback and once you have bad feedback few people will be willing to buy from you. And when you despatch anything make sure you wipe any fingermarks/dirt using a soft cloth from the vinyl/CD and inside the cover before putting it in the mail.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/VINYL-RECORD-GRADING-GUIDE-/10000000001916909/g.html
And remember …………. The customer comes first!!! If the customer says the record/CD is jumping or sticking don’t make an issue out of it, just give them their money back and tell them to keep the record/CD because it’s of no use to you. Do it right and you won’t get many complaints, just expect the odd one or two.
Thank you so much for the tips, I’ll be sure to check them out!
Ahh I was about to say Discogs, love that place.. Been a while since I’ve used it though..