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What online retailer(s) do you buy NEW vinyl from?

Zep Fanatic

Zep Fanatic

New Member
I'm sure everybody here is just like me when it comes to receiving their band new vinyl. The first thing I notice upon arrival on a shipment from a online retailer is how carefully packed the items are. My $25-$30 and up new vinyl is precious to me, and let's face it, expensive! I had been doing business with a retailer based in Connecticut, for it seems about 20 years. Always CD's. Recently, I purchased two of the new Black Sabbath reissues on vinyl, and to my dismay, they were packed in a cheap single walled, oversized box. The LP's were wrapped in a layer of small bubble wrap and plenty of those PITA static filled ''peanuts''. To no surprize the corners of both LP's were dinged, and off went the e-mail to (cough) quality control. They let me know that everything possible was done to protect the records, they even wrapped them in plastic, as is noted on my account (everything has to be bubble wrapped because of all the damaged shipments). Anyway after a couple of e-mails going back and forth between myself and this individual in QC, he suggested next time, I choose the FedEx method of shipping instead of USPS. I tried to explain to him the LP's need to shipped in the correct boxes, etc., it fell on deaf ears. My next order I tried MusicDirect.com. They were nothing short of amazing. The LP's I received were in absolutely perfect condition and could not have been shipped any better. The only problem is the stock is somewhat limited for me. I listen to mostly classic rock, progressive rock and 80's metal. Any online retailers you can recommend, who you've had good experiences with?
 
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I've ordered a couple from Amazon. It appears all their new vinyl is wrapped in tight, thick sealed cardboard pouches that prevent them from bending. They have a sticker denoting what album it is on the outside, so they likely store them in those too. When they're shipped, they put them in larger boxes with "air bags" to protect them.

I've ordered a couple direct from Century Media that have come fine, however they didn't provide any extra protection for them. Luckily, I ordered CDs with them, so they helped keep them from moving too much in the box.

I've also ordered records direct from Lindsey Stirling and Halestorm's web stores - those came in the sturdy USPS Media Mail boxes. Anywhere that uses Media Mail, new or used, should be able to get it to you in perfect condition.
 
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I have made several purchases from Elusive Disc, and the shipping packaging is bombproof! They ship the vinyl in corrugated that was specifically designed for vinyl. Also included is bubble wrap inside the package. Every purchase has been received flawless. Highly recommended!
 
Usually from Amazon Marketplace sellers ... which include a number of different merchants large (Acoustic Sounds, Import CDs ... etc) & small (mom & pops).

Force of habit ... Amazon is just the first place I look.
 
I have purchased new from Discog sellers, amazon, acousticsounds, B&N, turntablelabs, and The Edit and have never had an issue. Everything I have ordered comes packed in media boxes with the albums well protected, and sometimes even double boxed.
 
Zep Fanatic said:
I purchased two of the new Black Sabbath reissues on vinyl
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I have lots of great record store here but when I buy online I go to Acoustic Sounds. As far as those records you just bought they where pressed at Quality Record Pressing witch is owned by Acoustic Sounds and are all located in the same city. They produce some of the best records today and do every aspect in the record industry. Sales new and used, recording, mastering, plating, pressing, issuing of new artist, Audiophile reissues, you name it and they have it all under one roof. They take pride in there work form start to finish and finish means getting it to you, their packing and shipping is second to none.

Take a look at this thread...
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....-productions-quality-record-pressings.698195/
 
I've ordered from Import CD's on ebay a few times. They have been well packed and received with no damage. They ship fast and come with free shipping.
 
As the OP noted, MusicDirect has great service and competent shipping. I've ordered dozens of albums from them, and never have experienced shipping damage.
 
I have suspended ordering new vinyl for the time being. Was ordering from Amazon and while they do seem to pack well, I am finding that it is even more important who made the lp in the first place. I have gotten great sounding vinyl from Amazon as well as flat and washed out ones as well. All I can think is different manufacturers care more about the quality and with amazon it is hard to tell who made the lp.

I am hoping that Acoustic Sounds will fix their shipping policy to my state as it seems they come highly recommended for quality. That is the reason for all the fuss with vinyl in the first place.
 
How does AS pack there records? Does it compare to SSD? Most of my new vinyl comes from SSD.
 
4-2-7 said:
:thumbsup:

I hope they do arrange to ship to you at some point.
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There are probably ways to make it work I haven't tried yet. One would be to just call them and ask if they would mail them to me. Another would be to have them shipped to my BIL in Portland and have him forward them up.
Right now my preamp is being worked on so just CD's for me and no TT till that comes back. Looking forward to getting back to vinyl tho.
 
ImportCD's has been my favorite for vinyl and CD's. They sell on Amazon and Ebay and are consistently the least expensive. I had one which was warped and they took it back no questions asked, Return shipping tag comes with each item so it's free. They have a huge inventory. No affiliation
https://www.importcds.com/
 
twoengine said:
I've ordered from Import CD's on ebay a few times. They have been well packed and received with no damage. They ship fast and come with free shipping.
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I have ordered from www.cdjapan.co.jp and they have been incredible. I ordered beautiful SHM-CD's of The Beatles catalog and I received them without a hitch. They pack their shipments like they are valuable antiques. It's an art form. But alas, I do not see much vinyl from on their site. I would love to supplement my collection with some Japanese vinyl, the CD's sound amazing. I've only been disappointed a couple of times with Japanese imports, and that was due to the loudness war type stuff. The thing I just don't get is why cdjapan can ship from half way across the world and I receive my delivery unscathed, yet CD Universe only a couple hundred miles away from me, cannot get the job done...
 
Acoustic Sounds has a vast inventory. I have also ordered from Amazon,Elusive Disc,Soundstage Direct and Music direct,Mosaic Records,Music Matters and Sundazed Music without issues.
 
I have had very good results ordering from SoundstageDirect. Their packaging of LP's is excellent. I prefer them to Music Direct because they frequently have a shorter wait time and often a better selection for my tastes. I also have a very favorable opinion of Acoustic Sounds. My results with Amazon have been mixed. I may order LP's from them again, but only if I can't get it from another source easily. I also have ordered from Sundazed and can report that they, too, are very conscientious in their shipping.
 
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