key points:
- in 2018, approximately 16.8 million records were sold in the united states alone
- when you understand how to ship your records efficiently and safely, you significantly reduce the chances of them being damaged or they break. lost in transit
- before your records are shipped, they should be packaged properly to improve the chances that these records will arrive at their destination in good condition
While this generation of millennials seems to embrace only the latest technology, they are actually purists at heart, which is why vinyl records are making a comeback.
In 2018, approximately 16.8 million records were sold in the United States alone, a large increase from the 900,000 sold in 2006 and the 3.9 million sold in 2011. In line with the increase in its In popularity, eBay has posted approximately 2.3 million used records from US sellers, while Discogs and Amazon have listed approximately 5.7 million and 900,000, respectively. Of course, this means that methods of shipping vinyl records have also been on the rise.
If you’re an online record seller, you know that after you receive your orders, you’ll need to get down to business: securely package your shipments according to the size of the vinyl records and mail them to your recipients. but how do you do this while ensuring the safety of your records?
how to ship vinyl records
When you understand how to ship your records efficiently and securely, you significantly reduce the chances of records being damaged or lost in transit. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose the Right Shipping Box: You already know the size of the discs you’re going to ship to your customers, and to be on the safe side, you need to choose the right size for disc shipment vinyl boxes, too. this will reduce any unnecessary space around the registers and reduce your costs
- organize deliveries and pickups: to make things easier for you and your customers, you should organize your register shipping boxes for drop them off or pick them up at the nearest designated courier locations
- insure them: these records can be very valuable, especially rare releases or first editions. To be sure, you must take out insurance for your shipment. while many couriers offer insurance as part of their shipping services, easyship also offers insurance up to $10,000, and claims are resolved quickly
- tracking your order: the fact Just because the record has been submitted doesn’t mean your work is done. if possible, track your order until you are sure it has been delivered to your customers
You should also note that you can opt for custom made boxes for your precious cargo. To a great extent, using custom-made boxes will protect your records from damage.
Which couriers can send vinyl?
When it comes to shipping these records, you’ll find that there are many courier services available. we’ve tracked down some of the most popular ones:
oops
usps media mail is an affordable and convenient mail service primarily used to ship records around the world. the downside is that this is one of the longest courier delivery times.
fedex
This courier is able to send your valuable records to their clients and offers insurance, so we consider this to be one of the best ways to send records.
go up
ups has a good track record for local and international deliveries, and courier services include insurance, tracking, and timely arrival of orders. the only drawback is that it is usually the most expensive option.
how much does it cost to ship vinyl?
The cost of shipping your records is difficult to pinpoint as many factors come into play in determining the cost of shipping these records. Some of these factors include:
- courier service
- cost of envelopes
- cost of padding materials
- recipient location
- amount sent
- type of insurance
as an example, the price for using usps media mail starts at $2.63, and has a weight limit of 70 pounds. a 10lb shipment (approximately 15 logs) could cost around $7.
How are vinyl records securely packaged?
Before your records are shipped, they must be packaged properly to improve the chances that these records will arrive at their destination in good condition. here are ways to safely pack your logs:
- remove vinyl from cover
- carefully remove dust using a cleaning machine or your normal vinyl brush
- put records in protective plastic sleeves
- place sleeves in new cardboard record envelopes.
- insert package gussets or padding, including bubble wrap and cardboard.
- fold and close Tape the disc envelope.
- Attach shipping labels.
When shipping vinyl, be sure to write “fragile” on the sides of the boxes. this further improves the chances that the boxes will be handled with care. You can also take a photo of the front and back of your package using your phone. you never know if you might need it; could be useful for disputes or insurance claims.
how easyship can help
Given the growing popularity of these records, it’s important that you have a reliable way to ship vinyl records to your customers. easyship is here to connect you with a variety of courier services that can offer shipping record solutions. sign up for a free account today.
sending vinyl faq
How much does a vinyl record weigh for shipping?
a vinyl record can weigh between 1.41 oz and 5.29 oz.
Can vinyl records be sent by post?
yes, vinyl records can be shipped via usps media mail.
Does USPS have boxes for vinyl records?
yes, usps has boxes for vinyl records.