How to sell used vinyl records online

1. Sort your collection

Not every record is worth selling online. Before listing anything, sort into three piles:

• Worth listing individually: records in VG or better condition, pressings with collector demand, anything you'd pay more than $5 for
• Dollar bin material: common records in mixed condition. These can be sold as bundles rather than individual listings
• Recycling or donation: warped, severely scratched, or genuinely unplayable records

2. Research prices before listing

The most common mistake new sellers make is pricing by gut feeling. Look up recent sales instead:

• Discogs shows actual sale prices in the marketplace history, not asking prices, but actual completed sales
• Filter by condition: a NM copy and a VG copy of the same record can differ by 3-4x in price
• Check if multiple pressings exist. An original pressing can be worth 10x a reissue of the same album

Listing at market rate sells faster than holding out for a higher price that never comes.

3. Grade honestly

Inaccurate grading is the number one source of disputes in record selling. When in doubt, grade conservatively. A buyer who gets something better than expected is happy. A buyer who gets something worse opens a dispute.

Hold each record under a bright light and tilt it at different angles. Check for hairlines, deep scratches, and warps. Play it before listing if you can. Read our full grading guide

4. Photograph the actual record

Photos of the actual item you're selling (not stock images) build trust and reduce disputes. At minimum:

• The record itself, under good light that shows the surface condition
• The front sleeve
• The back sleeve and any inserts
• Any significant damage or marks (photograph these and describe them)

On dollrbin, at least 3 photos are required for every listing. This protects both parties.

5. Set your shipping price

Shipping a single LP in the US typically costs $5–9 via USPS Media Mail, which is the cheapest option and specifically designed for vinyl. For international shipping, costs rise significantly.

• Use a rigid LP mailer or a stiff-backed envelope; records break in padded envelopes
• Wrap the record in a poly sleeve inside the mailer
• Media Mail is slow (2–8 days) but cheap, and most buyers accept this for used records
• Include tracking. You cannot prove delivery without it

6. Understand how payment works on dollrbin

When a buyer pays, the funds go directly to your Stripe account. However, payouts to your bank are held until the buyer confirms receipt, or until 48 hours after delivery is confirmed by the carrier, whichever comes first. This protects both parties.

This means:

• Funds sit in your Stripe balance until the buyer confirms receipt or 48 hours after delivery is confirmed
• There are no seller fees, so you keep your full asking price
• You need a connected bank account via Stripe to receive payouts
• Add tracking when you mark the order shipped. It's your evidence of delivery if a dispute arises

7. Build your reputation

Every completed transaction on dollrbin generates a seller rating. Accurate grading, fast shipping, and good communication are the three things that drive positive ratings. A strong rating makes your listings more competitive; buyers choose sellers with track records over unknowns at the same price.