FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Vinyles.com operates as an online specialized record store: Vinyles.com's ambition is to offer you all physical music references still produced and distributed in France, our catalog already lists over 70,000 references! Once you've found your album, a "View" button redirects you to the merchant offering the best price, where you complete the purchase in a few clicks.

Why this redirection? To guarantee you a catalog of over 70,000 references, reliable stock, fast delivery, and secure transactions, while supporting a quality ecosystem. The process is transparent and free of charge.

Our catalog primarily focuses on new vinyl records:

• Limited editions and colored pressings
• Audiophile reissues 180g (e.g., Beatles, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd)
• Picture discs and collector vinyls
• Recent releases by contemporary artists
• Over 68,000 references sorted by genre and subgenre: rock, jazz, soul, electro, pop, classical, hip-hop, metal, etc.

Note: Some affiliated partners offer used or rare references, but to date, our focus remains on new and reissued items.

No, absolutely no fees! The redirection to our affiliated partner is free and instant. You only pay the price of the vinyl and any shipping costs applied by the seller, with no additional fees. The seller reduces their margin to pay a part to Vinyles.com. But for you, this is completely transparent and has no impact on the final price! :-)

The prices indicated on Vinyles.com are reference prices updated regularly from data provided by our affiliated partners. However, only the price displayed on the seller's website at the time of your redirection is authoritative.

Why might they vary?
• Real-time stock fluctuations
• Promotions or flash sales from the seller
• Market adjustments (demand, rarity)
• Synchronization delays between platforms

💡 Tip: Always check the final price on the partner's page before confirming your order for complete transparency.

Our catalog aggregates information from multiple affiliated sources. Minor discrepancies may occur due to:

• Catalog updates not synchronized in real-time
• Exclusive offers or promo codes available only from the seller
• Exchange rate variations for international sellers

This approach ensures total transparency: we direct you to the official source for accurate pricing at the time of purchase.

Delivery times are entirely dependent on the partner seller who ships your order. They vary according to:

• Stock availability with the seller
• Your destination (France, Europe, International)
• The chosen carrier
• Pre-orders (additional delay until the official release)

📋 Consult specific details (delivery times in business days + parcel tracking) directly on the seller's page when you are redirected. Most of our partners offer a tracking number to follow your parcel in real time.

Shipping costs, free shipping thresholds, and packaging options depend on the partner seller. Check them directly on their website when finalizing your purchase.

🛡️ Reinforced packaging: Our partners use special packaging designed for shipping records.

Yes! International shipping is available through our affiliated partners to many countries (Europe, North America, Asia, etc.).

📍 To be checked on the seller's website:
• Available delivery countries
• International shipping costs
• Potential customs fees (buyer's responsibility)
• Carriers offered for optimal tracking

This information is clearly indicated when you are redirected to the partner.

In case of a damaged package:

1. Inspect upon receipt (open in front of the delivery person if possible)
2. Take photos of the package and the damaged vinyl
3. Immediately contact the partner seller within the specified timeframe (usually 48h)
4. Their refund or exchange policy will apply

💡 Most sellers offer a free replacement or a full refund in case of damage during transit.

Yes, depending on the partner seller's return policy. Most offer:

• Right of withdrawal: 14 to 30 days for new, sealed vinyls
• Return for non-conformity: manufacturing defect, shipping error, damaged vinyl
• Return costs: vary by seller

📋 Consult the exact return and refund conditions directly on the partner's website when making your purchase. This information is usually accessible in their Terms & Conditions or "Returns" section.

Yes, in case of a proven defect (warping, scratched vinyl, damaged sleeve, pressing error), the partner seller usually offers:

• Replacement with a new copy
• Full refund (vinyl + shipping costs)
• Store credit on the seller's website

📧 Contact the partner's customer service with photos of the defect to expedite the process. The seller's warranty policy applies.

Pre-orders can generally be canceled according to the partner seller's rules, often up to a few days before shipping.

📅 Check on a case-by-case basis:
• Cancellation period indicated on the product page
• Specific policy for pre-orders (e.g., Record Store Day editions)
• Refund terms if cancellation is accepted

For very limited releases, some sellers do not allow cancellation – this information is specified during the order process.

Recommended method:

1. Dry cleaning: Use a carbon fiber brush before each play to remove surface dust
2. Deep cleaning: Special vinyl cleaning solution + microfiber cloth (circular motion)
3. Avoid: Tap water (limescale), pure alcohol, household cleaning products

💡 Frequency: Systematic dry cleaning, deep cleaning every 10-15 plays or for used vinyls.

Golden rules of storage:

✅ DO:
• Store vertically (like books)
• Use anti-static inner sleeves
• Maintain a temperature of 18-21°C (64-70°F)
• Maintain humidity of 45-50%
• Use dividers to prevent sagging
• Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight

❌ DON'T:
• Stack horizontally (risk of warping/deformation)
• Excessive heat, humidity, direct light
• Too tight packing (compression of sleeves)

Quality criteria:

🎵 Weight: Minimum 140g, ideally 180g for audiophile pressings (better stability)
🏷️ Reputable labels: Mobile Fidelity (MOFI), Analog Productions, Music On Vinyl, Speakers Corner
🎚️ Mastering: Mention "AAA" (Analog All the Way) or "remastered from original tapes"
📀 Pressing: Origins (Germany, Japan, USA) often guarantee quality

💬 Frequent question on Reddit: "180g = better sound?" → Often yes, but the essential remains the source and mastering. A poorly mastered 180g will sound worse than a well-pressed 140g.

Main causes:

1. Dust on the vinyl or stylus → Clean with brush + stylus brush
2. Incorrect anti-skating adjustment → Adjust according to your tonearm's tracking weight
3. Inappropriate tracking force → Check your cartridge's specifications
4. Warpage (deformation) → Vinyl exposed to heat, irreparable
5. Worn stylus → Replace your diamond (lifespan ~1000h)

🛠️ Old-school tip: The "penny hack" (adding a coin to the tonearm) can temporarily resolve some skips, but it's not recommended long-term.

Payment methods depend on the affiliated partner with whom you finalize your purchase:

💳 Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
🔵 PayPal: Buyer protection included
🍎 Apple Pay / Google Pay: Fast mobile payment
🏦 Bank transfers or other solutions depending on the seller

🔒 Security guaranteed: All transactions are secured by SSL protocol (padlock in the URL). Our partners use certified platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.).

💬 X/Twitter community recommendation: "PayPal for buyer protection in case of dispute."

Promotions, discounts, and bundles vary by partner seller. You can benefit from:

🎁 Bundle discounts: Buy multiple vinyls to save on shipping costs
⚡ Flash sales: Occasional sales (Black Friday, Record Store Day, etc.)
📧 Exclusive promo codes: Available directly from the seller

💡 Follow our Vinyles.com newsletter to be alerted to the best offers and limited releases from our partners!

No, browsing on Vinyles.com is completely free. You can browse our catalog of over 68,000 references without creating an account. However, creating an account will allow you to save and retrieve your favorites.

The customer account is created with the affiliated partner when you finalize your purchase. This allows you to:
• Track your orders
• Manage your delivery addresses
• Access purchase history
• Benefit from loyalty programs (depending on the seller)

No. Orders are entirely managed by the partner sellers after your redirection.

📦 To track your package:
1. Use the tracking number received by email after shipment
2. Log in to your account with the seller
3. Consult the "My Orders" or "Package Tracking" section

💡 Most of our partners send automatic email notifications at each stage (confirmation, shipment, delivery).

For questions about your order (tracking, returns, after-sales service): Contact the customer service of the partner seller directly where you made your purchase. Their contact details are indicated on their website and in the confirmation email.

For questions about Vinyles.com (catalog, navigation, suggestions):
📧 Email: contact@vinyles.com
💬 Contact form: Available at the bottom of the page

⏱️ Response time: We respond within 24-48 business hours. Thank you for your patience!