What's the grading standard on eBay when it comes to Records? (vinyl)

[voltagevillage]

Since Discogs adheres to the Goldmine Grading Standard, I have sold hundreds of records there with no returns or customer grading complaints.

Even when I try to sell on eBay, I end up with so many returns that my seller fees are almost 25%. It's crazy, but it doesn't really matter to me because I can just raise pricing to cover the higher seller fees or sell on Discogs rather than here. Even though I raised the prices of my listings, the sales are still excellent, but it appears that eBay doesn't apply the Goldmine Grading Standard for recording grades.

In order to improve my eBay selling experience, I must ask, what grading standard does eBay use when it comes to grading records?

[slippinjimmy]

@voltagevillage 

eBay uses a grading system similar to the Record Collector magazine used. The major difference is the inclusion of an "Ex" grade.

Long before eBay this was my preferred grading system both as a buyer and seller, there is just way too much "space" between VG+ and M- in the goldmine system. My friends who buy on Discogs seem to be rarely happy with what they receive especially the grading of covers and inner sleeves.

Personally 99% of what I sell is EX+ or M-, it's very rare that I get any type of condition issues.

[luckythewinner]

---

@voltagevillage wrote:

it appears that eBay doesn't apply the Goldmine Grading Standard for recording grades.

In order to improve my eBay selling experience, I must ask, what grading standard does eBay use when it comes to grading records?

---

eBay does not "apply" anything to any listing. Neither does discogs. 

Sellers apply whatever grade they want to any record, and if they get a lot of returns they need to re-evaluate their grading decisions. 

I have sold records here for two decades and had perhaps a half dozen returns in all that time. 

[untertainment]

I've been using the Discogs criteria for my listing and putting a link in my shop policies, but the link cannot be active. If it is, then eBay will remove it. I don't want a very long and drawn out grading system copied and pasted into my shop policies. It would be cool if eBay hosted their own link to record grading definitions, but so far I have not been able to find any. Wonder if it would be kosher to paraphrase/trim them up them and post them here so sellers can link to it in their shop policies?

[nuclearomen]

if you know discogs then just use discogs classification. As a vinyl seller and someone who manufactured vinyl for over 20 yrs the one condition never should use is Mint - because nothing is truely Mint, even straight from the pressing plant. Better to list here as M- to NM slightest thing makes it not Mint. That is if your dealing in new condition. Then your getting into grading of EX, VG+, VG, Poor also, there are two grades, the vinyl and the Jacket/Packaging, again, M- to NM should be the standard for new condition. Listing things as Mint can bring you problems especially with buyers who not die hard collectors and don't know much when grading condition.