Shipping policy

 

Order Processing & Handling

• We typically process and ship orders within 1-2 business days (Monday–Friday). Orders placed on weekends or holidays will begin processing the next business day.
• Exceptions: If an order has an issue (e.g. payment verification needed) or includes items that are not currently in stock at our store, processing may take a little longer. We will contact you if we anticipate any unusual delay beyond 3 business days.
• Pre-Orders & Backorders: If your order includes a pre-order item or special-order gear not in stock, we usually wait to ship everything together once all items are available. (This way you only pay once for shipping and receive one package.) If you’d prefer in-stock items to ship sooner, please order them separately or reach out to discuss split shipping options.
• No Weekend Shipping: Please note that we typically do not ship packages on Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays, as our carriers do not pick up on those days. Orders placed late on Friday or during the weekend will typically ship out early the following week.
• Notification: You will receive an email with tracking information as soon as your order ships. If your order ships in multiple packages, we’ll send a tracking number for each package. You can also check your order status by logging into your Finer Sounds account.

 

Shipping Methods & Carriers

• Carriers: We primarily ship via USPS and UPS for domestic orders. For most domestic record orders, the default is USPS Media Mail (economical for vinyl). For audio equipment and accessories, we may use UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail depending on weight and value. For all international orders, we exclusively use DHL Express. All methods include a tracking number.

• Overnight Shipping: If you need overnight delivery, please contact us for availability and cost. We’ll do our best to accommodate time-sensitive orders. (Overnight orders still require 1 business day of processing time before shipment.)

• Packaging: We pack all vinyl records in sturdy, purpose-made record mailers with pads to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. Audio gear is shipped in its manufacturer packaging inside an outer box with cushioning if needed. Rest assured, we pack every order with care to protect your purchase in transit.

 

Delivery Estimates

• Domestic (Continental USA): Once shipped, Standard Shipping typically takes 3–7 business days to be delivered, depending on the destination. East Coast addresses are on the shorter end (around 2-4 days with USPS Media Mail, for example), while West Coast or remote addresses may be around a week. Expedited shipments (Priority Mail, UPS 2-Day, etc.) arrive in the advertised transit time (1–3 business days after shipping). Please note, these estimates do not include our 1-2 day processing time.

• International: Once shipped, international orders sent via DHL Express typically arrive within 3–6 business days depending on the destination country and local customs processing. 

• Tracking: All domestic services we use come with tracking. You will receive a tracking link by email. Please allow up to 24 hours after you receive the shipping notification for the tracking to update.

• Delays: On rare occasions, carriers experience delays (weather, high volume season, etc.). If your package hasn’t arrived within 10 business days (for standard shipping) or is significantly past its expected delivery time, contact us and we will help investigate. We kindly ask for your patience, especially during peak holiday times, as delivery services may be slower than usual.

• Signature Requirement: By default, we do not require signature on delivery for most packages. However, for high-value equipment orders over $500, we may require a signature for security. We will let you know beforehand if that’s the case. If you prefer to add a signature requirement or specific delivery instructions, please let us know when placing your order.

 

Shipping Costs & Free Shipping

• Calculated Shipping: Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the weight of items and your shipping address. We charge you roughly what it costs us to ship – no inflated handling fees. You’ll see the available shipping methods and their prices before you confirm your order.

  • Eligible regions: Contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states). At this time we cannot offer free shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or territories on the same terms, due to higher costs. Customers in those areas and international customers will see calculated shipping rates instead. 

  • Service level: Free shipping uses a ground/economy service. If you choose a faster paid method, normal charges apply.

  • Exceptions: Very heavy or oversized items might not be eligible for free shipping. This primarily applies to certain turntables, speakers, or furniture. On such product pages, we will clearly note any shipping surcharge or exclusion from free shipping. In most cases, orders above $100 will ship free, but we reserve the right to exclude items that are exceptionally costly to ship. We’ll always communicate with you if that situation arises.

    Free Shipping on Orders $100+: We offer FREE standard shipping on orders over $100 (merchandise subtotal, before tax) shipping to the contiguous United States. If your cart qualifies, you’ll see a free “Standard Shipping” option at checkout – select it and you won’t be charged for shipping. We will then send your order via USPS Media Mail or UPS Ground (our choice) at no cost to you.

     

• Multiple Packages: If we ship your qualifying order in multiple boxes (for example, an in-stock record now and a pre-order later, or a turntable separately), free shipping still applies – you won’t be charged extra. We cover the additional shipping cost on our end.

 

Local Pickup (In-Store Collection)

• Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store: If you’re local to NYC, you can order online and pick up your items at our Brooklyn store for free. Just select “In-Store Pickup” as your delivery option at checkout. We’ll email you when your order is ready for pickup (usually within 24 hours for in-stock items, often the same day).

• Where & When: Pickup is available at Finer Sounds, 252 Schermerhorn Street Brooklyn, NY 11217 during regular business hours (Mon-Sun 11AM-6PM). Please wait for the confirmation that your order is ready before coming to the shop.

• What to Bring: To pick up your order, you’ll need to show us your order confirmation

• Holding Period: We will hold your pickup order for 7 days from the time we notify you. If you cannot make it within 7 days, please contact us to arrange an extension. Orders not picked up after 7 days (without response) may be cancelled and refunded. We’ll reach out with a reminder before this happens.

• Split Orders: If your order contains a pre-order item along with in-stock items and you choose in-store pickup, we can either hold everything for one pickup when all items arrive, or you can pick up in-stock items first and come again for the pre-order later. We will communicate with you in such cases to see what you prefer. (There’s no extra charge for splitting a pickup order into two trips.)

 

Shipping from Multiple Locations

• Orders Shipped from Our Brooklyn Store: Most orders — especially vinyl records, accessories, and small gear — are packed and shipped directly from our Brooklyn storefront. What you see marked “In Stock” is typically available on-site and ready to ship within 1–2 business days.

• Occasional Direct Shipments from Our Partners: Certain large or specialty items (such as turntables, speakers, or amplifiers) may ship directly from the manufacturer or distributor. This helps us get those items to you faster and more efficiently, especially if they’re not stocked in-store. If part of your order is being shipped this way, we’ll note it in your confirmation email and you’ll still receive tracking as usual.

• Multiple Packages Possible: If you order a mix of records and audio gear, your items might arrive in separate boxes. We’ll provide tracking for each shipment, and you won’t be charged anything extra for orders that are fulfilled in multiple parts. 

 

International Shipping

• Finer Sounds currently ships physical media (vinyl, cassettes, CDs), merch, and small accessories to select international countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
• Equipment: At this time, we do not ship audio equipment (e.g. turntables, speakers, receivers) outside of the United States. 
• Taxes and Duties: We calculate and collect all international customs duties and local import taxes directly at checkout. This means your order will be delivered straight to your door with absolutely no surprise bills or courier brokerage fees upon delivery.

Additional Notes

• Order Changes & Cancellations: If you need to change your shipping address or cancel an order, contact us as soon as possible. We process orders quickly, so if the package has already shipped or is in final packing, we may not be able to intercept it. We’ll do our best to accommodate changes when we can.

• Lost or Damaged Packages: We pack every order in premium, heavy-duty mailers to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. We insure all shipments at least to a basic level. If your package is lost in transit (no tracking update for an extended period) or arrives with significant damage, please reach out to us. We will work with the carrier to file a claim and resolve the issue – whether that means sending a replacement or providing a refund. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we want you to receive what you ordered in good condition.

• International Vinyl Orders & Condition Policy: We understand the importance of your collection and pack every international order using premium, heavy-duty mailers. However, due to the extended transit times and multiple customs checkpoints involved in global shipping, minor cosmetic damage sustained during transit (such as small corner dings, seam splits, or creases to the outer sleeve) is not eligible for a refund or replacement. If a record arrives with physical damage that impacts the actual sound quality (e.g., severe warping, deep scratches), please contact us immediately. We will work directly with DHL to file a claim and make it right with a replacement or refund.

• Contact: For any shipping-related questions or special requests, feel free to contact us here.