I got another batch of used CDs today in the mail. The eBay seller that I've bought the most CDs from,
decluttr_store, pretty much straight up lies about the condition of their discs. They list everything as
Very Good with the added note of “This product has passed our meticulous quality checks and is guaranteed to be in great condition.” when they're rarely in that condition. It's clear they don't check anything. I've continued to buy from them because they're the cheapest on the discs (that I buy from them) and the discs usually rip to FLAC fine despite some scratches on some of the discs. I don't care about the condition of the cases or artwork. Further, when they've shipped me bad discs, things with missing discs (only 1 CD of a 2 CD set), or the wrong disc in the correct jewel case they would issue a prompt refund when I complained without wanting the disc back. Because they list everything as "Very Good" condition buying from them is a rather low risk to me because eBay will side with me on the condition of what they send not matching if I needed to force a refund out of them (hasn't happened yet).
Out of today's batch of used CDs most were from them. Two of the CDs are so badly scratched and damaged I don't think you could get a disc in that condition short of intentionally trying to damage it. Of course both were listed in "very good" condition. Both have multiple tracks that are completely unrippable. Another disc that came from them today was a CD+DVD set. The CD ripped fine (wasn't in very good condition though), but the bottom of the accompanying DVD was just trashed with lots of scratches and abrasion.
So I go to initiate the return process to get my refund for the 3 items and this time I have to send them back... I mean they are damaged and I'm not trying to scam them, but it's a pain in the butt to print out the labels, put the discs in padded envelopes (using ones that they or other discs came in), tape up the envelopes, & the tape the printed label on to return them. On the other hand I do get a bit of schadenfreude knowing that by making me ship the disc back to them they're losing even more money. Shipping both ways on a $4 CD has got to be more than $4 and they'll still have to refund me the $4. If it costs them enough money maybe they will actually screen what they're selling. I actually contemplated using nice robust heavy packaging to add insult to injury but resisted.
Other sellers, like
glenthebookseller or
worldofbooksusa whom I've bought CDs from on more than one occasion on eBay send out better condition discs. I've also bought a few CDs from different Goodwill shops on eBay. They usually list CDs as good or acceptable so I generally tended to not buy from them, but every disc I've gotten from them (so far) has been basically scratch free and in much better condition than advertised. Not a huge sample size so far, but enough to make a positive impression. They've been moving up in my buying consideration as a result. Otherwise I generally avoid anything below "very good" condition to avoid the possibility of interpretation if a dispute were to happen over a disc that won't rip. I've bought a fair number of discs from random people (not commercial operations). They tend to send decent discs, but I'm usually only buying one or two items from them so not a big sample size for any given seller.
I've also bought a few used CDs from the Discogs marketplace. Their marketplace is a minefield if you're not very careful. Their rating scale is really messed up IMHO. A CD listed as "very good" has this description. "Quite a few light scuffs/scratches, or several more-pronounced scratches. This has obviously been played, but not handled as carefully as a VG+. " Very good+ has this, "A few minor scuffs/scratches. This has been played, but handled with good care - and certainly not abused." I've had to polish a much greater percentage of CDs bought from their marketplace to get them to rip cleanly than any other place I've bought CDs from. The ratings make no claims about playability either (in contrast to eBay's), so you have little grounds to complain or get a refund if you get a disc that won't rip. As a result their marketplace is my last resort if eBay and Amazon fail me, but I rarely buy on their marketplace.
