The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

arrived in a very thin box with 1 layer of bubble wrap- not buying from them again.

This really burns me up.There ARE videos on YouTube that tell the proper way to pack 78rpms.These are NOT vinyl edisonplayer.

I had several records arrive broken a few months ago. I always check with sellers when buying 78s to ask if they are experienced with sending them. Unfortunately one seller I recently bought from became very defensive and quite rude when I questioned him. He refused to sell me any records, and the one I won from him on eBay mysteriously never turned up. But in the main, I would recommend asking sellers how they will pack the record, and pointing them towards the guides online. Sadly a couple of sellers ignored my suggestion that they look into this. I left them negative feedback on eBay. I now ask sellers how they pack 78s, unless I can see that they are experienced, or I have bought from them before.

Of course, the broken records are always the ones which are rare! Very frustrating.

I look at a seller's previous sales. If there's been no 78's in their past sales, or if they don't predominently sell 78's, I move on. Honestly, most interesting records seem to be sold by established collectors/dealers anyway.

As an aid to buyers, the following can be cut and pasted to sellers as suggested ways to pack various items:

https://forum.antiquephono.org/topic/18 ... -and-ship/

George P.

JerryVan wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:44 pm I look at a seller's previous sales. If there's been no 78's in their past sales, or if they don't predominantly sell 78's, I move on. Honestly, most interesting records seem to be sold by established collectors/dealers anyway.

This is my method too, and it is certainly true (though perhaps only by coincidence) that I have not suffered any disappointments for several years; on the contrary, I have been encouraged by the high standards observed by the vendors I have dealt with. Naturally I always lay stress upon these in my feedback.

However, George's suggestion seems a very good one, since it avoids the need to for the buyer to use his own words and set himself up as an authority.

Oliver Mundy.

I find that records of interest can be sold by anyone. Sometimes an inexperienced seller will be offering a 78 I am interested in. You will then need to explain to them how to pack 78s. Regarding the guide above: unfortunately, eBay does not allow links to be shared via messages. You can use text and upload photos.

Crystalate wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 11:58 am Regarding the guide above: unfortunately, eBay does not allow links to be shared via messages. You can use text and upload photos.

I don't include links to eBay sellers. Rather I copy and paste the relevant areas into my message.

George P.

phonogfp wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 2:23 pm

Crystalate wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 11:58 am Regarding the guide above: unfortunately, eBay does not allow links to be shared via messages. You can use text and upload photos.

I don't include links to eBay sellers. Rather I copy and paste the relevant areas into my message.

George P.

The guide to packing 78s linked above is in the form of an image. There isn’t text which can be sent via an eBay message.

I do have my own instructions saved so I can copy and paste them into eBay messages though.

I stand corrected - the guide for 78s is indeed in the form of a PDF image.

The cylinder guide - while also a PDF - can be copied and pasted:

DIRECTIONS FOR PACKING CYLINDER RECORDS FOR SHIPMENT
1. Secure each record box lid to the box with either a couple of rubber
bands or saran wrap.
2. Pack the records with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap so that
each box is cushioned from the others with no contact.
3. Make sure there's a couple of inches of peanuts/bubble wrap
between the record boxes and the shipping box.
4. If at all possible, double-box the shipment.
THANK YOU!

George P.