[gprro]

I just picked up Brandi Carlile's "The Story" on ebay. The shipping method is media mail, and looks like the seller mostly sells cd's and the occasional LP. How safe is media mail, what is it. Should I request a safer shipping method. I'd be willing to pay, as I was starting to think I wouldn't find this on vinyl ever. Only printed 2000 copies I think.

Thanks,
Giyan

[jsaliga]

I have had a lot of vinyl shipped media mail with nary a problem.  I think that how safe it is depends on how well packaged the records are.

If it is a rare album then I will ask the shipper to send it priority mail and put at least $50 or more of insurance on the package and use delivery confirmation.  The postal service will not leave packages insured for $50 or more at the door.  If someone is not home to accept delivery they will leave a delivery attempt notice in your mailbox.

--Jerome

[vinyl_guy]

I've had a lot of vinyl shipped media mail and have never had a problem. As Jerome says, the key is how it is wrapped and packaged by the sender.

[gprro]

Good to know, makes me rest a little easier. I did send a message to the seller on shipping options. I'll def. get it insured if possible.

Thanks!

[chosenhandle]

I ship LP's media mail whenever buying "replaceable" records. If I am buying a limited edition or rarer pressing, I always pay the extra $5 or so and go with Priority Mail. Although limited to 2,000 copies, the LP you are purchasing is replaceable at this point.

As already stated, the issue is more closely related to how well it was packed. Virtually every LP I receive now comes packed in a "bags unlimited" shipping box and bubble wrap. I buy about 25-50 LP's each month and occasionally get a crunched corner, but I have never had a record destroyed (when properly packed).

Don't forget to have fun!

[Goosepond]

Obviously the safest method is to put the LP's in your car.

I recently replied to a post for some vinyl for sale here on AC and the 1st question I asked was how would he ship it?

Well, the great answer I got was that he and I were 25 miles apart way down in the boonies here in South Louisiana.

So we met in a parking lot half way between us. And when he carried the LP's from his car to my truck, nary a one was damaged. 

Gene

[gprro]

Interestingly, I haven't seen a copy on ebay for a while. Now there's three, all sealed different sellers. Never seen that before. Wonder if someone could be bootlegging lp's? Probably not, just strange to see three at once.

[gprro]

Annoying update. The ebay seller is yet to send the album, and has not contacted me despite a couple attempts  by me. What to do...wonder if they saw two more albums show up at $25 more  than I payed, and just decided not to send it? How to deal with this? I'd prefer to get the album. I did buy one of the other ones that was on ebay, was planning on two copies anyway.

[kenreau]

Annoying update. The ebay seller is yet to send the album, and has not contacted me despite a couple attempts  by me. What to do...wonder if they saw two more albums show up at $25 more  than I payed, and just decided not to send it? How to deal with this? I'd prefer to get the album. I did buy one of the other ones that was on ebay, was planning on two copies anyway.

I just went through a similar experience with two promo copies of Stevie Ray Vaughn LPs, both from the same seller.  I paid the same day the bid closed and gave them 10 days to deliver.  During a 3 week wait, I emailed the seller several times asking to confirm it was shipped, or just even a general courtesy reply.  No response or acknowledgement was ever received.  I contacted ebay and started the claim process.  2 days later the albums show up via Priority mail, insured and with delivery confirmation.  I only paid for media mail.  Apparently that got their attention.  I plan to leave the appropriate feedback for others benefit.

[gprro]

I was thinking it may come to that, but actually got a message back today, supposedly in the mail...