FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
We know buying records online takes a little trust. Here's everything you need to know about how we ship, grade, and handle your vinyl — so you can dig with confidence.
Shipping
Will I be charged tariff fees if I live in the U.S.?
The new U.S. executive order effective August 29, 2025 ends the de minimis duty-free exemption (under $800) for most goods. But—good news—this should not apply to music and informational media like vinyl, CDs, tapes, cassettes, posters, and more, which remain exempt thanks to longstanding U.S. law (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)). So when you order from us, your favorite records and media stay tariff-free, just as they always have.
What carriers do you use?
We ship with a variety of carriers depending on your location and the weight of your package.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes — we ship just about everywhere. If your country isn’t available at checkout, send us a message and we’ll see what we can do.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are typically packaged and dispatched within 1-5 business days. Below are some estimated arrival times:
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France: 2–4 business days after dispatch
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EU/UK: 3–9 business days
- Rest of World: 5–15 business days depending on where you are
Delays can happen, but we aim to get your records out quickly and packed right.
How much is shipping?
Our shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of the package, which varies depending on the number of vinyl in your order. The number of vinyl listed in each shipping category below (e.g., 1-2 vinyl, 3-5 vinyl) is approximate, as the weight of each record can vary slightly. Rest assured, we strive to ensure that shipping costs are as accurate as possible based on your order's total weight.
You’ll receive tracking details as soon as your order ships. All delivery estimates are based on average transit times and may vary due to customs, holidays, staff vacation, or weather.
France
| Service | 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6+ vinyl |
| Pickup Point | €4.00 | €4.90 | Free* |
| Economy Home Delivery | €7.90 | €9.50 | Free* |
| Standard Home Delivery | €10.07 | €12.18 | €13.67 |
*Free shipping applies on orders over €150 (approximately 6+ vinyl)
Europe - Zone 1
Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Spain
| Service | 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6+ vinyl |
| Economy Home Delivery | €9.75 | €11.05 | Free* |
| Tracked Home Delivery | €11.00 | €12.40 | Free* |
*Free shipping applies on orders over €150 (approximately 6+ vinyl)
Europe - Zone 2
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
| 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6-8 vinyl | 9-10 vinyl | 11+ vinyl |
| €11.00 | €13.20 | €15.40 | €17.05 | Free* |
*Free shipping applies on orders over €275 (approximately 11+ vinyl)
United Kingdom
| Service | 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6+ vinyl |
| Pickup Point | €13.00 | €13.00 | €17.00 |
| Tracked Home Delivery | €18.00 | €18.00 | €21.00 |
Extended Europe Area
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City
| 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6-8 vinyl | 9-10 vinyl | 11+ |
| €27.70 | €32.50 | €34.80 | €37.25 | €53.50 |
United States
| 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6-8 vinyl | 9-10 vinyl | 11+ |
| €32.00 | €42.00 | €52.00 | €56.00 | €66.00 |
International
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand
| 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6-8 vinyl | 9-10 LPs | 11+ LPs |
| €29.90 | €44.00 | €55.00 | €66.80 |
Contact us for shipping rate
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Extended International
Africa, Central America, South America (except Brazil), China, India, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, and the rest of Asia
| 1-2 vinyl | 3-5 vinyl | 6-8 vinyl | 9-10 LPs | 11+ LPs |
| €47.20 | €51.90 | €62.30 | €70.70 |
Contact us for shipping rate
|
Will I get a tracking number?
Yes. You’ll receive a tracking email once your order ships. Some international carriers don’t update tracking once a package leaves France — but we’ll always help if something goes missing.
Packaging
How do you pack records?
Every order is packed by hand, with care. We use sturdy mailers designed for vinyl, reinforced with cardboard stiffeners if necessary. For multi-record orders, we use larger boxes with extra padding to prevent shifting during transit.
Do you remove records from jackets?
Yes — to avoid seam splits, we ship used/unsealed records outside of their outer sleeves (but still inside the inner sleeve and plastic sleeve). New, sealed records ship sealed unless requested otherwise.
Do you use eco-friendly materials?
Whenever possible, yes. Our mailers are recyclable and we reuse clean cardboard inserts.
Grading
How do you grade vinyl?
We follow the Goldmine standard (M / NM / VG+ / VG / etc.) and grade both the vinyl and the sleeve separately. We visually inspect every record and play-grade whenever there’s doubt.
What do the grades mean?
- S (Sealed): The record is sealed and has never been played
- M (Mint): The record is like new, with no visible light scratches or cracks.
- NM (Near Mint): Vinyl looks and plays almost like new. Cover is free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.
- VG+ (Very Good Plus: Vinyl has a few light marks, maybe some light background noise. Cover shows only very minor seam wear or a split.
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VG (Very Good): Vinyl has noticeable wear, but still plays through without skips. Cover shows signs of human handling (ring wear, creases, seam splitting, writing or markings from a price tag).
More detailed condition notes are included on each product page.
Do you clean used records?
Yes. Used records are gently cleaned with an anti-static brush before packing. We recommend giving them a full clean before first play, especially if you’re picky about sound.
Returns & Refunds
Can I return a record if I change my mind?
Yes — you have 14 days from the day you receive your order to send it back (unopened and in the same condition it arrived in). Return shipping is on you.
What if my record is damaged or defective?
Send us a message on our contact page with your order number and photos. If the issue is on our end (damaged in transit, wrong item, pressing defect), we’ll make it right.
Can I return an opened record?
If it's sealed vinyl that's been opened, unfortunately we can’t take it back unless it’s defective. Thanks for understanding.
Orders & Checkout
Do I need to create an account to order?
No — guest checkout is available. But if you create an account, you’ll be able to track past orders and check out faster next time.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.
Can I cancel or change my order?
If we haven’t shipped it yet, yes — email us at info@outerfrequencies.net as soon as possible. Once it’s out the door, it’s too late to make changes.
Pre-Orders
When will my pre-order ship?
We aim to ship pre-orders right before or just after the official release date. Dates are listed on the product page.
What if I order a pre-order and other items?
Your whole order will ship together once the pre-order is available. If you want in-stock items sooner, we recommend placing two separate orders.
Used Vinyl & Condition
Will used records always play perfectly?
Used vinyl can have light surface noise — it’s part of the charm. We grade conservatively and never list records that skip or have major playback issues unless clearly described.
What if my used record sounds worse than expected?
Get in touch. We’re collectors too, and we want you to feel good about your purchase. We’ll do our best to make it right if we missed something.
Other Questions
Do you offer gift cards?
Not yet — maybe soon.
Do you buy used records or take trades?
We're mostly focused on curating and selling, but are also looking for used records. If you have something interesting to sell, drop us a line via our contact page.
Do you offer gift wrapping or personal notes?
If you’re ordering for a gift, email us right after ordering and we’ll do our best to include a note or simple wrap. No frills, but thoughtful.
Do your prices include VAT?
No — as a small independent business operating under the French micro-entreprise regime, we're VAT-exempt (Article 293 B of the CGI). That means no VAT is added at checkout, and all prices are final.
Still have a question?
Hit us up via our contact page — we're happy to help.