Discogs - Help, Tricks, Secrets And Tips

If anyone can give me a correct vote on this one to offset a bullshit EI. I reverted a users "variant" because I made this submission specifically because it didn't have any Terry Dunavan "TD" in the runouts.

This user added one with a TD on side A - and then EI"d my revert....and then asked if he had to make a new sub.

www.discogs.com

Queen - Flash Gordon

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1980 Vinyl release of "Flash Gordon" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com

Thanks
 
A big THANKS to this thread and those who've helped me navigate my first steps into the Discogs marketplace. Things have gone quite well since last October - even though I limited the sale parameters to PayPal & US delivery only.

Now that I've got things figured out, I'm thinking about expanding into international sales. Any advice for first steps into this area?

Are Canada, Europe and Japan the easiest/most likely first locations? Start with one location and add others intermittently?

How the heck do you figure out shipping costs and methods to those locations? (Or is this above my pay grade?)

Anecdotally, what's the biggest challenge with international sales?

Have you had to deal with many returns? Seems that would be a pain.

Any insight/advice/direction would be greatly appreciated!
 
stpaulbrowns said:
A big THANKS to this thread and those who've helped me navigate my first steps into the Discogs marketplace. Things have gone quite well since last October - even though I limited the sale parameters to PayPal & US delivery only.

Now that I've got things figured out, I'm thinking about expanding into international sales. Any advice for first steps into this area?

Are Canada, Europe and Japan the easiest/most likely first locations? Start with one location and add others intermittently?

How the heck do you figure out shipping costs and methods to those locations? (Or is this above my pay grade?)

Anecdotally, what's the biggest challenge with international sales?

Have you had to deal with many returns? Seems that would be a pain.

Any insight/advice/direction would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

I’m not stateside but I’ve always done international shipping because Ireland is such a small market. I checked the post office website and set up my shipping policy based on weight using their rates. I also only ship recorded outside Ireland, It probably loses me sales because it adds to the price but it really does head off so many potential problems and gives me peace of mind!
 
Last edited:
stpaulbrowns said:
A big THANKS to this thread and those who've helped me navigate my first steps into the Discogs marketplace. Things have gone quite well since last October - even though I limited the sale parameters to PayPal & US delivery only.

Now that I've got things figured out, I'm thinking about expanding into international sales. Any advice for first steps into this area?

Are Canada, Europe and Japan the easiest/most likely first locations? Start with one location and add others intermittently?

How the heck do you figure out shipping costs and methods to those locations? (Or is this above my pay grade?)

Anecdotally, what's the biggest challenge with international sales?

Have you had to deal with many returns? Seems that would be a pain.

Any insight/advice/direction would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Canadian chiming here buyer experience only...

As far as methods of shipping to Canada I recommend using USPS and USPS only.
UPS and FedEx are just as likely as not to add bullshit "brokerage" fees that will be around 50-100%+ the cost of the items being shipped.
I've also had more packages lost by UPS and FedEx than the zero I have ever had undelivered from USPS/Canada Post.

It's on the expensive side, particularly when compared to your media mail - but compared to shipping records within Canada it's actually not all that much more expensive. All a matter of perspective I guess.

I've encountered a pretty solid variance in the cost of shipping from US to Canada and don't know what factors into some of the lower prices - possibly corporate accounts, bulk discounts or other mailing services that are out of my wheelhouse. Typical ballpark for 1-2 LPs is usually in the $17-25 range, I reckon and up from there. I imagine somebody with selling experience can be of more assistance with this part.

Hope this is helpful.
 
stpaulbrowns said:
A big THANKS to this thread and those who've helped me navigate my first steps into the Discogs marketplace. Things have gone quite well since last October - even though I limited the sale parameters to PayPal & US delivery only.

Now that I've got things figured out, I'm thinking about expanding into international sales. Any advice for first steps into this area?

Are Canada, Europe and Japan the easiest/most likely first locations? Start with one location and add others intermittently?

How the heck do you figure out shipping costs and methods to those locations? (Or is this above my pay grade?)

Anecdotally, what's the biggest challenge with international sales?

Have you had to deal with many returns? Seems that would be a pain.

Any insight/advice/direction would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
I sell to Canada/Europe. Definitely use only USPS. I do $22 plus $5 per item (beyond 2) for Canada and $30 plus $5 for item (beyond 2) for Europe. That's been about right, give or take a dollar or two either way.

Shipping wise, just pack extra carefully. Haven't had any complaints and it takes about 2-3 weeks at least from VA for those places.
 
wmeugene said:
and it takes about 2-3 weeks at least from VA for those places.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I forgot to mention this part... takes a looong ass time. That invisible line causes quite a hold-up sometimes!
I'm thrilled if something from the east coast makes it here to western Canada within 2 weeks but definitely plan for it to take 3-4.
On the rare occasions, I've had issues (and every time has been with UPS) I've typically waited until 4 or 5 weeks before raising any concern with the seller. Others may not be as patient, I suppose - but I think allowing up to 4 weeks for sure is reasonable.
 
avecigrec said:
Yeah, I forgot to mention this part... takes a looong ass time. That invisible line causes quite a hold-up sometimes!
I'm thrilled if something from the east coast makes it here to western Canada within 2 weeks but definitely plan for it to take 3-4.
On the rare occasions, I've had issues (and every time has been with UPS) I've typically waited until 4 or 5 weeks before raising any concern with the seller. Others may not be as patient, I suppose - but I think allowing up to 4 weeks for sure is reasonable.
Click to expand...
Yes, definitely put at least 30 days as the upper edge of your shipper terms. Though from experience, international purchasers tend to be more patient.
 
djdavedk said:
blog.discogs.com

Discogs Digs | Discogs

Discogs Digs is the place to start your journey of music discovery. Explore recommendations, unique stories, guides, and more.
blog.discogs.com blog.discogs.com
Click to expand...
The OG pressing of Marillion Brave. You can get the original or "happy" or "downer" ending depending on which groove you pick for the final side.

Anyway, I actually came to this neck o' the woods 'cause I was curious about something...

I've seen sellers listed as "unavailable in the united states" before. However, they're usually not in the U.S. I noticed a new seller who is located in the U.S. but is "unavailable in the united states". Any rhyme or reason for this? Just a curiosity, I wasn't actually looking to buy from them.
 
BabiesAreWorthlessDiapers said:
The OG pressing of Marillion Brave. You can get the original or "happy" or "downer" ending depending on which groove you pick for the final side.

Anyway, I actually came to this neck o' the woods 'cause I was curious about something...

I've seen sellers listed as "unavailable in the united states" before. However, they're usually not in the U.S. I noticed a new seller who is located in the U.S. but is "unavailable in the united states". Any rhyme or reason for this? Just a curiosity, I wasn't actually looking to buy from them.
Click to expand...
My guess is they never updated their shipping policy.
 
RE: double-groove LPs...

I have this
www.discogs.com

Monty Python - The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1973 Vinyl release of "The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com

this
www.discogs.com

Monty Python - The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1975 Vinyl release of "The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com

and this
www.discogs.com

Monty Python - The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the Vinyl release of "The Monty Python Matching Tie And Handkerchief" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com
 
Does anyone have a link to a good article that breaks down the new US hobby seller policies (income over $600 generates a 1099) and the tax obligations/tips they introduce? I got my 1099 from eBay in the mail and all the info I’ve found is geared towards business with a yearly inventory of goods/costs and not a guy selling his large record collection. I don’t want to owe more than my actual profit! Ty!
 
Need a little help. I sold an album, the buyer paid via PayPal and then asked to cancel the purchase. Bummer - but I'm fine with that.

There is a "Cancel Order" option on the order page. I did that. But what do I do next?

The amount I received via PayPal is obviously less than the total amount paid by the buyer. If I refund the amount I received the buyer will feel shorted. Is there a way for me to collection the PayPal fee and get a refund from Discogs for that fee? If so, do I actually provide a refund that is more than I received via PayPal?

Any help is much appreciated. Math hurts!
 
stpaulbrowns said:
Need a little help. I sold an album, the buyer paid via PayPal and then asked to cancel the purchase. Bummer - but I'm fine with that.

There is a "Cancel Order" option on the order page. I did that. But what do I do next?

The amount I received via PayPal is obviously less than the total amount paid by the buyer. If I refund the amount I received the buyer will feel shorted. Is there a way for me to collection the PayPal fee and get a refund from Discogs for that fee? If so, do I actually provide a refund that is more than I received via PayPal?

Any help is much appreciated. Math hurts!
Click to expand...
I believe there should be a Refund Sent option on the discogs order. After you refund via PayPal (of which all PayPal fees will be refunded), you would update that status on the order and then I believe discogs refunds all the necessary fees.
 
stpaulbrowns said:
Need a little help. I sold an album, the buyer paid via PayPal and then asked to cancel the purchase. Bummer - but I'm fine with that.

There is a "Cancel Order" option on the order page. I did that. But what do I do next?

The amount I received via PayPal is obviously less than the total amount paid by the buyer. If I refund the amount I received the buyer will feel shorted. Is there a way for me to collection the PayPal fee and get a refund from Discogs for that fee? If so, do I actually provide a refund that is more than I received via PayPal?

Any help is much appreciated. Math hurts!
Click to expand...
No need to do math.

In PayPal, initiate the refund and refund the entire total. The buyer will get all their money back. You’ll lose the PayPal fee but there’s no method for you getting that fee back and you shouldn’t pass that fee loss on to the buyer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top