The Online International Collectibles Marketplace Based in Belgium
Quick Stats:
- Based in Belgium and launched in October 2000.
- More than 1 million active users in 180 countries.
- Website is available in French, English, German, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.
- Customer service: “real” persons vs. “chat bots”.
- Payment options: PayPal, Delcampe Pay (e-payment system), bank transfers, and checks – note: sellers ultimately determine which options they will accept.
- Seller profiles indicate which languages they are willing to communicate in.
- One can save items and sellers of interest
- Website includes help, community, blog, and forum sections.
- Most, though not all, sellers ship internationally.
- Anti-fraud measures are extensive and robust.
- Though not as large as eBay, there are specific sections for classical LPs and CDs
After his application for a computer programming job at eBay Belgium was passed over, Sebastian Delcampe decided to combine his two passions — coding and collectible — and launch his own website, launched from his kitchen table in October 2000. In the 22 years since Delcampe.net has continued to innovate without losing its distinctive style and ethos – a site for collectors designed by collectors. Its original focus – stamps, postcards, and coins – has since grown dramatically to encompass collectibles of all kinds, including books, memorabilia, as well as LPs and CDs. However, “collectibles” remains the operative word and thus, unlike eBay, Delcampe has steered away from being a catch-all for every second-hand object under the sun. Though more than 180 countries are now represented on Delcampe, the majority of its sellers are based in Europe and the site has something of a European vibe to it, which can be quite appealing for those in search of collectible items from the Continent. There are now more than 1 million active users, with hundreds of thousands of items being continuously added every day.
There are both set-price and auction listings. Note: One minor drawback is that Delcampe is not partnered with any proxy bidding services such as eSnipe, which many eBay bidders use to their advantage.
The site is available in French, English, Dutch, German, Italian and Spanish. The company has introduced its own online secure payment system (Delcampe Pay), but PayPal, bank transfers, and checks are usually accepted, the available options set by each seller. Helpfully, each seller’s profile also indicates which languages he/she is willing to communicate in, which fosters a sense of openness, cooperation and community.
Not all sellers ship internationally and thus one must check in advance before placing an order. Delcampe does provide “real” customer service (vs. chat bots), and though service is not instantaneous, it is competent and generally helpful.
The classical LP and CD selections are not even remotely as large as eBay, but they are usually affordably priced and one can find good bargains on European pressings.
While Delcampe is unlikely to be a first choice for many collectors, it can be a rewarding destination to explore. Recommended!
Visit Delcampe.net Today
Editor’s Note: I am registered Delcampe.net user (as a buyer) and have not encountered any problems in the 10+ years that I have used the site. The registration process is a bit more involved than what one encounters on eBay, but this is by design, a concerted effort to thwart fraudsters and otherwise unscrupulous sellers. Once registered, the website is straightforward and easy to use. For new users, I recommend using PayPal (vs. Delcampe Pay) if the seller accepts it, as the buyer protection afforded by the former is more robust.
See more in the Summer 2022 issue (available in subscriber accounts) on Page 94!