News

Reverb LP A New Online Record Selling and Buying Site Opens Its Digital "Doors"

Michael Fremer  |  Dec 26, 2017

The website Reverb.com recently announced an open beta launch for Reverb LP. Backed by what it claims is "the world’s most popular music gear site", Reverb LP aims to be "the best place online to buy and sell records".

The website will offer record stores, collectors, and music fans an easier and more cost-efficient option for buying and selling records and other physical music formats online. “The current options for buying and selling records online — whether you run a store or just have a personal obsession, like me — is cumbersome,” said Reverb LP President Dan Melnick, who has more than 400 records from his personal collection on the site.

“Based on the success and support we’ve experienced with Reverb.com and the knowledge we’ve gained growing the platform to what it is today, we’re uniquely positioned to provide the record industry with the best online marketplace for buying and selling records.”

According to the press release: "Since launching in 2013, Reverb.com has grown into the most popular music gear website in the world, with sales expected to reach nearly $400 million this year and more than 10 million musicians and music lovers around the world visiting the website each month. Many of the same characteristics that differentiate Reverb.com from the competition will set Reverb LP apart from existing platforms, including:

Lower seller fees. It’s free to list records on Reverb LP and when an item sells, the company takes just 6 percent, making Reverb LP one of the most cost-efficient options available for selling physical music online. A live customer service team full of record collectors, musicians, and music lovers. Hyper-tailored technology and tools, like sales dashboards and Reverb Sites, which will allow stores and collectors to create their own branded website with their Reverb LP inventory synced and integrated.

"According to Bob Lambert, owner of Tower District Records in Fresno, California, Reverb LP will put his inventory in front of the large, engaged audience of musicians and music lovers that Reverb.com has already cultivated. He’s confident in the company’s ability to grow its user base — and as a result, his sales — based on Reverb’s track record. Lambert, who joined Reverb LP as a beta tester, says the marketplace’s ease-of-use and customer service team will also be huge assets to his business.

“We get all types of people in our store, from seasoned collectors down to first-timers who are discovering what vinyl is all about. The Reverb LP platform is clean and intuitive, so wherever you sit on that spectrum, it’s easy to navigate,” Lambert said. “In addition, I’m excited to sell on a platform that provides a customer service team that not only answers when you call, but is extremely knowledgeable and sympathetic to my needs and the needs of my customers. As buying and selling records online continues to become the norm, customer service is crucial.

To browse and purchase from the growing list of records available or list items of your own, join the beta by visiting Reverb LP.

COMMENTS
Irwin's picture
Submitted by Irwin on Thu, 2017-12-28 00:41

Having contributed significantly to Discogs and used pictures of albums from my own collection for that purpose it appears Reverb has just lifted the information from Discogs. I think that is pretty poor given Discogs set out to be a crowdsourced database. Obviously if Reverb has paid for the information fair enough but if that is case I don't remember Discogs telling me they would be selling my information.

danmelnick's picture
Submitted by danmelnick on Thu, 2017-12-28 12:21

Hey Irwin — all Discogs data is open source under the Creative Commons ccO, we're using it under that license. We're also going to be contributing data back to Discogs to ensure it continues to thrive.

Irwin's picture
Submitted by Irwin on Sat, 2017-12-30 01:10

Thanks for the clarification. On the assumption that all Discogs is open source why not then just pull the marketplace data in as well via API and agree a commission deal with Discogs? It seems crazy to fragment the market. The airline and entertainment ticket industry have learned this lesson and now allow multiple APIs into one central inventory. The brands (ie Expedia, Lastminute etc) spend their marketing dollar on then trying to gain market share or specialising in their own markets which works for the airlines, theatres, arenas etc. I am sure most marketplace contributors would then be more than happy to share their work in creating the database if they knew there was another sales channel pushing their marketplace items.

Russo7516's picture
Submitted by Russo7516 on Thu, 2017-12-28 07:44

Have you seen some of the prices of used gear on that site. It is the new Crazy Eddies their prices are insane .

Potty Knotty's picture
Submitted by Potty Knotty on Thu, 2017-12-28 10:40

Looking at the site it looks like a site that predominantly services USA “vinyl” clients. So the cost of US postage to the rest of the world is prohibitively expensive (when are you guys going to sort that out?). So for the rest of us living outside the USA it’s back to Discogs/Amazon/eBay.

danmelnick's picture
Submitted by danmelnick on Thu, 2017-12-28 12:22

You are correct right now, but as we roll out of beta in 2018 we will be expanding our inventory and reach globally.

Jenn's picture
Submitted by Jenn on Thu, 2017-12-28 23:20

This is very interesting. Reverb.com is a wonderful service; I've both bought and sold there. Good luck with records. I'll look forward to visiting!

joerand's picture
Submitted by joerand on Wed, 2018-01-03 22:43

The Reverb site is based on catalog numbers for LPs, under which you might find a laundry list of all deadwax info for that album, but not for the particular pressing that's actually for sale (correct me if I'm wrong or missed a link). Rather useless for those seeking early or original pressings. LP deadwax information on Discogs is fundamentally easy to find and specific to the pressing for sale.

The Reverb site looks great for millennial vinyl newbies eager to get their hands on any copy of an LP, but rather pointless for those seeking specific pressings. Reverb's reliance on stock photos is rather ineffective as well. Any reliable seller on Ebay provides real pics of the item they are selling. And where's Reverb's seller ratings or feedback? Should I simply assume a seller is an objective grader of vinyl condition and ships the same day?

Too many fundamental flaws in the Reverb site (as it now sits) for me to consider them a player. Plus, the Reverb site's load-time is rather slothical.

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