Terms of Sale, Pre-Owned Records

Condition and grading

Every pre-owned record is graded by us before listing, using the standard Goldmine scale. Media and sleeve are graded separately. The media grade describes how the record plays, not how it looks.

Grading is a judgement made by a person. We grade conservatively and describe faults in plain language in the condition notes. Please read the notes as well as the grade, as the notes are where the specifics are.

Listening before purchase

Any pre-owned record can be played on our studio system before you buy it. Appointments are free and we will set aside the records you want to hear.

We recommend this for every pre-owned purchase. A record is a second-hand object, often several decades old, and no written grade replaces hearing it yourself.

If you buy without listening, you are relying on our grading and our photographs.

What pre-owned means

Pre-owned records are sold as used goods and are not expected to perform as new records do. Surface noise, light marks and sleeve wear appropriate to the age and price of the record are normal and are not faults.

Any fault beyond that is described in the listing. Faults described in the listing, and faults that would be apparent from playing the record at the studio, are not grounds for a return.

Preparation

All pre-owned records are ultrasonically washed, inspected and placed in a new anti-static inner sleeve before sale.

Returns

If a record is materially different from how it was described, inform us within 7 days of collection or delivery. We will replace it where we hold another copy, or refund you where we do not.

We do not accept returns for change of mind, for taste, or for faults that were described in the listing.

Collection and delivery

Records are collected from the studio by appointment. Delivery within Singapore is $20 and we deliver ourselves rather than using couriers.

Risk passes to you on collection, or on delivery to the address you give us.

Reservations

We can hold a record for 48 hours without payment. After that it goes back on sale.

Terms of Service, Ultrasonic Record Washing

Booking

Washing is by appointment. We can wash 3 to 5 records per on-site session. Anything beyond that is dropped off and collected once complete.

Payment

Payment is made at drop-off, before washing begins.

Inspection

Every record is checked before it goes near water. If a record has damage a wash will not fix, we will tell you before we start and you decide whether to proceed.

We may decline to wash records with cracks, deep warps, heavy mould, or sleeve damage that makes handling unsafe.

What a wash does and does not do

Washing removes dirt, dust, paper residue, mould spores and old cleaning fluid from the grooves. On most second-hand records that is the bulk of what you hear as surface noise.

Washing does not remove scratches, groove wear, pressing faults, warps or damage caused by a worn stylus. These are permanent. A clean record with groove wear will still sound worn.

We do not guarantee a specific improvement. We guarantee the record is properly cleaned.

Labels and older pressings

Records are washed with the label protected. Some older pressings, particularly Asian pressings from the 1960s and 1970s, use inks and paper that can mark regardless. Where we see a risk, we will tell you first and you decide.

Care and damage

We handle every record as if it were ours. If we damage a record through our own handling, inform us and we will resolve it with you directly.

Collection

Turnaround is between 1 day and a week, depending on how many records are in ahead of yours. We will give you an estimate at drop-off and message you when they are ready.

Please collect within 30 days of being notified.

Records left behind

We will hold onto your records after 30 days, we just ask for $10 towards the shelf space when you come to collect. Life gets busy, we understand.

If they are still here at 60 days, we will assume they have found a new home with us. They might go out in the shop, or one of us might quietly adopt them.

You will hear from us before that happens, at the number and email you left at drop-off, so keep those current.

Free washes

Free washes earned through record purchases are for your own records. Maximum 5 redeemed per visit. The balance expires 12 months after your last purchase, and is cancelled if the purchase that earned it is returned.

Contact us

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us by email at spin@thirteenvinyl.com