Before you send that collectable 12-inch, read our comprehensive guide to posting vinyl records. Ensure your LP's and their covers remain in tip-top condition. Parcel Monkey will help you compare prices from various couriers whether you are posting 'The Doors' to Dundee or sending 'The Smiths' to Sunderland.
We can also help individuals and sellers alike, find a courier to send internationally so that you can sell your vinyl's to budding buyers the globe over, or to friends and family who you want to check out the next best thing. There is something special about sharing records with loved ones so be sure to use a reliable courier handle your parcel the right way.
You may think there's an obvious way to do it, but in fact, there's an art to packing and posting vinyl records. We tell you exactly how it's done to ensure your vinyl's value doesn't get lost in transit.
Along with most things retro nowadays, vinyl records are big business. So far in 2017, over 40,000 copies of The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band have been sold, not bad for a 50-year-old LP!
Vinyl sales are up year on year, with many records available to buy on specialist marketplaces like Discogs as well as more well-known ones such as Amazon, Etsy and eBay.
There is plenty of toing and froing from collector to collector, seller to the buyer. With values so high and condition imperative, that makes packaging crucial in the LP transaction process.
Whether you're simply selling a couple of old records you have in the loft or you're an online seller who trades vinyl for a living, these tips on posting vinyl records make for compulsory reading. Our tips won't only minimize the chances of damage during transit; they may also save you some money, some time and they'll make you as a seller look like you really care. After all if you leave this impression on your customer, they will sure to tap into your expertise next time they look to buy a record.
1. Sandwich It.
Take the vinyl out of the internal sleeve and the cover sleeve and sandwich it in between the two. This will ensure the record doesn't cut through either of them in transit, which is a common occurrence and can really harm the records value, particularly if it's collectable.
If the LP is brand-new, be sure to ask the buyer whether they mind you opening the original packaging. Opening a collectable edition can have serious consequences!
2. Cover it.
Add some additional protection, cut some cardboard into two squares that are just slightly larger than the cover sleeve and sandwich the record and sleeves between the cardboard. This will protect the corners of the sleeves.
3. Pack it.
Cover this record sandwich with bubble wrap. This will ensure a snug fit in the mailer, so the record doesn't rattle about. Don't whatever you do, wrap it so tightly that it bends the edges of the sleeves, and don't go overboard with the amount of wrap, as you'll needlessly bulk out your parcel, costing you more in packaging materials.
You can use a good quality LP mailer, which will probably come with cardboard reinforcement and bubble wrap, although this can be a pricey option unless you are buying them in bulk.
If you are sending multiple records to the same recipient, you can stack them together, using the odd bit of cardboard reinforcement and then put them into a box. Remember to use enough bubble wrap to ensure the records don't move about.
4. Mark it.
Be sure to mark your parcel with 'FRAGILE- PLEASE DO NOT BEND'. Also include a return address label on the outside of the package, just in case, there is a problem with delivery. It also useful to put both addresses on the inside of the package in the case for whatever reason, the label is detached in transit.
5. Measure it.
Once its all packaged up, put it on some scales to weigh it up and get the measuring tape out to record the dimensions. Be sure to get this bit right, you won't want to be charged later on for mis-declaring the package by the courier. Once you have the weight and dimensions its very simple to get a great deal on courier services, using our simple quote engine.
6. Insure it.
When you book with Parcel Monkey some of our services come with protection cover free of charge, up to a certain value. Parcelforce for example, when booked via Parcel Monkey comes with cover up to the value of £60. If you need further cover you can add this on during the booking process.
It doesn't usually cost very much, and it's often worth it simply for your own peace of mind.
7. Upgrade it.
Depending on the value of the vinyl you want to send, you may want to select a service that requires a signature upon receipt. That way, there's no chance of the buyer pulling a fast one by saying they haven't received it. A bonus of using signed-for service is that service is often quicker, so your buyer will receive their items sooner. If you're an online seller, this can only be good for business.
There are a number of factors involved in the price of sending a vinyl. The weight of it once it is packed or if you are sending more than one, where you want to ship it to and of course how quickly you want it to get there.
If you want to send within the UK, we have prices via DPD Pickup from only £5.95 +VAT and the dimensions of a vinyl will fit nicely into their pricing structure even if you want to send a batch of them.
Sending overseas can be expensive if you use the Post Office or book directly with a courier. You can access lower rates with Parcel Monkey for international shipping and still use the Post Office by selecting a Parcelforce Drop Off service or have them collect from your home or work. Our international rates with Parcelforce start from just £9.99 + VAT.
You can also choose from a wide number of other couriers like DPD, Parcel Monkey International, TrakPak and more.
Its not just vinyl records that you might be shipping. We help many customers send vinyl record players via courier but be sure to package them up correctly as they can be fragile.
You can send a portable vinyl player for example, for the same price as it would cost to send a vinyl record due to the generous weight and dimensions allowed by DPD for UK shipping via the DPD Pickup service.
You only have to a brief search online to see a whole range of accessories that are available on the market for the avid music fan. There are some unique ways to store your vinyl records such as funky boxes, shelving units, display units, frames and more. Some of these may be quite large and heavy, so we do have couriers to handle this type of item.
Freestanding furniture such as shelving can be sent using the couriers we work with, but only on a non-compensation basis. If it is flat packed however you can send it with no issue. Frames containing glass would be prohibited as the couriers do not handle items containing glass and likewise, any type of cleaning fluid is not suitable to send via a courier service.
Related Information for Customers Shipping Vinyl
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