FAQ
Questions, answered.
The essentials on how Bin Sifter works, what it will and won't do, and how the beta runs.
What is Bin Sifter?
Bin Sifter is a vinyl price optimizer. You tell it which new records you want; it checks around twenty real online stores, works out the true landed cost — price, shipping and tax — for each, and shows you the cheapest way to buy, including how to split a want list across stores.
Does it buy records for me?
No — and it's built so it can't. Bin Sifter fills each store's cart and opens it for you, but a human always completes checkout. It has no ability to spend your money. That's a firm rule, not a setting.
Why does it run on my own computer?
Store lookups run locally on your Windows PC so that stores see an ordinary visitor rather than a data-center bot, which keeps the fetching from being blocked. It also means your data — including your Discogs API token — stays on your machine and isn't sent to a server.
What do I need to run it?
A Windows PC, an internet connection, and a free Discogs account so the app can use your own Discogs API token for looking up pressings. We'll walk you through setup when you join the beta.
How does it make sure it's the same record?
Every listing is matched to a specific Discogs pressing through an evidence ladder: a barcode (UPC) match is trusted most, then matching attributes like label, catalog number and format, and anything weaker is shown but clearly flagged as unverified. So you compare the same pressing across stores rather than a different edition that happens to share a title.
Does it include used records?
No. Bin Sifter compares new copies only — used, preowned and damaged listings are filtered out before you see them, so every comparison is like-for-like.
How are shipping and tax handled?
Each store's real policy is stored and applied: flat rates, free-shipping thresholds, and whether the store collects Washington sales tax (and whether that tax applies to shipping). Verified no-tax stores are flagged; others are estimated from policy. The total you see is meant to be what you'll actually be charged at checkout. The current build is tuned for a Washington buyer (ZIP 98110, roughly 9.2% tax).
Which stores does it check?
Around twenty real online record stores, plus major marketplaces, with a maintained database of each one's shipping, tax and return policies. You can add your own stores and notes, and tax status is re-verified every January.
What's the difference between the free and full versions?
The planned free version covers single-record comparison, landed-cost ranking and the store database. The full (paid) version adds the want-list optimizer, which compares complete order plans across every store to find the cheapest way to split a whole list. While Bin Sifter is in beta, the complete app — optimizer included — is free.
How does the beta work?
It's a private beta: email us for access and we'll help you get set up. Beta builds are time-limited and expire on 30 September 2026 — we'll share an updated build before that date. Feedback is very welcome; the app has a built-in report button for sending issues and ideas.
Is my Discogs token safe?
Yes. Your Discogs API token is stored locally and used only on your own machine to look up pressings. It is never displayed back to you or transmitted anywhere by the app.