Refund policy
Returns & Refund Policy
Every product sold by Lathe Cut Vinyl Records is individually manufactured, assembled, inspected, selected, or prepared for the customer. Because many of our products are custom-made or specialized professional tools, all purchases are subject to the terms below.
Except where required by applicable law, custom products are final sale and are not eligible for general returns, exchanges, or cash refunds.
Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to products and services purchased through Lathe Cut Vinyl Records, unless a product page, custom invoice, or written agreement states additional or more specific terms.
Products covered by this policy include, but are not limited to:
- Custom lathe-cut records
- Engraved records
- Picture discs and specialty records
- Record jackets and printed artwork
- Center labels, stickers, inserts, and postcards
- Diamond recording styli
- AccuPoint A145 re-sharpening exchanges
- Record blanks
- Accessories and related supplies
Custom Products Are Final Sale
Custom records, engraved products, artwork, labels, jackets, picture discs, postcards, and other personalized products are manufactured specifically for the customer.
Once production, audio preparation, cutting, engraving, printing, artwork preparation, assembly, or other custom work has begun, the order cannot be cancelled, returned, or exchanged.
Cash refunds are not provided for custom-made records, custom artwork, or other personalized products except where required by applicable law.
When a verified error or manufacturing defect is determined to be our responsibility, the normal remedy will be correction, repair, or replacement rather than a cash refund.
Order Cancellations
A cancellation request may be considered only if it is received before any production or preparation work has begun.
An order is considered in production once we have started any of the following:
- Audio review or preparation
- Vinyl mastering or side sequencing
- Record cutting
- Engraving
- Artwork setup or formatting
- Printing
- Label application
- Jacket or package assembly
- Custom material preparation
Rush-production fees, completed services, design work, audio preparation, and other labor already performed are non-refundable.
Reporting an Incorrect or Defective Order
If you believe we shipped the incorrect product or that your order contains a manufacturing defect, contact us within 7 days of delivery.
Please provide:
- Your order number
- A detailed description of the reported issue
- Clear photographs of the product
- Video or audio evidence when the issue involves playback
- Photographs of the packaging when shipping damage is involved
Reports submitted without sufficient evidence may be denied if the issue cannot be reasonably verified.
Inspection and Determination
Lathe Cut Vinyl Records reserves the right to inspect, test, or request the return of a product before approving any correction, repair, replacement, exchange, refund, or other remedy.
We reserve the right to determine whether a reported issue results from:
- Our manufacturing process
- Shipping damage
- Customer-supplied audio or artwork
- Playback equipment or turntable setup
- Improper installation or operation
- Misuse, handling, or storage
- Normal handmade variation
- Another cause outside our control
After review, Lathe Cut Vinyl Records will determine the appropriate remedy at its discretion. Remedies may include correction, repair, replacement, exchange, or another reasonable resolution.
Refunds will be issued only where required by applicable law or when Lathe Cut Vinyl Records determines that no other reasonable remedy is available.
Customer-Supplied Audio
Customers are responsible for reviewing and submitting the correct audio files for their order.
The following are not considered manufacturing defects and do not qualify for a refund:
- Uploading the wrong song, version, mix, master, side, or file
- Distortion, clipping, limiting, or compression contained in the supplied audio
- Low-volume or low-level source material
- Excessive runtime or audio exceeding the selected format’s published limits
- Excessive bass, treble, sibilance, distortion, or phase cancellation
- Poor-quality recordings, mixes, masters, transfers, or source files
- Noise, hum, clicks, pops, edits, fades, or artifacts already present in the audio
- Customer-requested sequencing, edits, fades, or processing
- Failure to follow our audio submission requirements
When audio exceeds the selected record’s published runtime, the remaining audio may be faded or omitted according to the product description and submission terms.
Playback Volume, Skipping, and Equipment Compatibility
Lathe-cut records are handmade records and may behave differently from mass-produced pressed vinyl.
Playback problems caused by a turntable, cartridge, stylus, tonearm, tracking force, anti-skate adjustment, platter, preamplifier, speaker system, or other playback equipment are not manufacturing defects.
The following do not automatically qualify for replacement or refund:
- Low playback volume caused by the source audio or playback system
- Skipping on suitcase players, inexpensive turntables, or improperly adjusted equipment
- Skipping caused by insufficient or excessive tracking force
- Playback problems caused by a worn, damaged, dirty, or incompatible stylus
- Playback problems that occur on only one turntable or playback system
- Differences in volume, frequency response, stereo image, or noise floor
- Normal differences between a lathe-cut record and a pressed vinyl record
We may require the customer to test the record on another properly operating turntable before a playback-related claim can be reviewed.
Normal Handmade Variations
Every lathe-cut record is individually manufactured. Minor cosmetic and visual variation is inherent to the process and is not considered a defect when it does not prevent normal playback.
Normal handmade variations may include:
- Light tool marks
- Surface haze or fogging
- Swirls or minor cosmetic marks
- Small differences in groove appearance
- Minor differences in label placement
- Minor variations in edge finish or dimensions
- Differences in clear, black, or colored plastic appearance
- Minor background noise associated with the format
Customer-Supplied Artwork and Product Selections
Customers are responsible for reviewing artwork, spelling, layout, colors, product options, and order quantities before submitting an order.
The following are not eligible for return or refund:
- Customer-approved spelling, layout, or design errors
- Low-resolution, incorrectly sized, or improperly formatted artwork
- Color differences between a digital screen and a printed product
- Ordering the wrong record size, speed, color, quantity, label, or option
- Customer dissatisfaction with artwork that matches the supplied or approved file
- Change of mind or buyer’s remorse
New Diamond Recording Styli
New diamond recording stylus sales are final once shipped.
Diamond recording styli are precision professional tools. The purchaser is responsible for confirming cutter-head compatibility, shank length, mounting arrangement, heat-wire compatibility, installation procedure, and operating requirements before ordering.
Damage caused by the following is not eligible for return, replacement, exchange, or refund:
- Improper installation
- Incorrect alignment or mounting
- Incorrect stylus heat
- Overheating
- Incorrect cutting pressure or groove depth
- Contact with the platter, clamp, center pin, debris, or another hard surface
- Improper handling or storage
- Modification or unauthorized repair
- Use with incompatible equipment or materials
- Normal wear resulting from use
A stylus reported as defective may be required to be returned for inspection before any remedy is considered.
AccuPoint A145 Re-Sharpening Exchange Program
The AccuPoint A145 re-sharpening program is an exchange program, not a repair-and-return service.
We accept only genuine AccuPoint A145 diamond recording styli for this program.
When an eligible A145 is submitted, the customer receives a previously used AccuPoint A145 stylus that has been professionally reconditioned and freshly sharpened.
The customer should not expect to receive the same physical stylus that was submitted. Submitted eligible styli become part of the A145 exchange inventory.
Styli from other manufacturers or other AccuPoint models are not accepted.
Modified, incomplete, severely damaged, broken, counterfeit, or otherwise unsuitable styli may be rejected after inspection.
Rejected A145 Styli
If a submitted stylus is not eligible for the exchange program, the customer may:
- Pay the applicable shipping charge to have the stylus returned, or
- Authorize Lathe Cut Vinyl Records to dispose of the stylus
Lathe Cut Vinyl Records does not pay return postage for a rejected stylus.
If return shipping is not paid or disposal instructions are not provided within 30 days after notice is sent, the stylus may be considered abandoned and may be disposed of.
The A145 exchange program does not create a general return or exchange right for newly purchased diamond styli.
Record Blanks and Supplies
Record blanks, accessories, and supplies are not eligible for general return or exchange after shipment unless Lathe Cut Vinyl Records provides prior written approval.
The following are not eligible for return:
- Used products
- Cut, engraved, drilled, heated, modified, or processed blanks
- Scratched, contaminated, warped, or mishandled products
- Products damaged after delivery
- Products returned without prior written approval
- Custom-cut or custom-sized materials
If we ship an incorrect blank or supply product, contact us within 7 days of delivery so the issue can be reviewed.
Shipping Damage
If an order arrives damaged during shipment, contact us within 7 days of delivery.
Please retain all original packaging and provide clear photographs of:
- The outside of the shipping carton or mailer
- The shipping label
- The internal packaging materials
- The damaged product
- Any visible crushing, bending, punctures, moisture, or impact damage
Failure to retain the original packaging or provide sufficient documentation may prevent us from verifying the claim or obtaining any available carrier remedy.
Returned, Refused, or Unclaimed Shipments
If an order is returned to Lathe Cut Vinyl Records because of a customer-related delivery issue, the customer is responsible for all costs required to ship the order again.
Customer-related delivery issues include:
- An incorrect or incomplete shipping address
- An incorrect apartment, suite, or unit number
- Refused delivery
- Failure to claim or collect the package
- An expired forwarding order
- Customer relocation
- Unpaid duties, VAT, taxes, or customs charges
- Failure to complete required customs documentation
- Any other customer-caused delivery failure
Original shipping charges and rush-production fees are non-refundable.
Before a returned order will be shipped again, the customer must pay all applicable:
- New shipping charges
- Carrier fees
- Customs or postal charges billed to us
- Replacement packaging costs
- Additional handling costs when applicable
International Orders, Duties, and Customs
International customers are responsible for all import duties, VAT, GST, import taxes, customs fees, brokerage fees, postal handling charges, and any other fees imposed by the destination country.
These charges are not included in the product price or international shipping charge.
Refusing or failing to pay customs charges does not make an order eligible for a refund, replacement, exchange, or store credit.
If an international shipment is safely returned to Lathe Cut Vinyl Records, it may be shipped again only after the customer pays all new shipping and related charges.
If an international shipment is lost, abandoned, destroyed, seized, or otherwise not returned by the postal service, carrier, or customs authority because of unpaid fees, import restrictions, incomplete documentation, refusal, or another customer-related issue, no refund, replacement, exchange, or store credit will be issued.
Freight-Forwarding Orders
For orders delivered to a freight-forwarding company, our responsibility ends when the domestic carrier confirms delivery to the freight forwarder’s United States address.
Returns, refunds, replacements, or credits will not be provided for loss, damage, delay, customs problems, repacking, handling, or other events occurring after confirmed delivery to the freight-forwarding address.
Approved Refunds
Refunds are not the standard remedy for custom records, custom artwork, diamond styli, or other final-sale products.
When a refund is required by applicable law or specifically approved by Lathe Cut Vinyl Records, it will be issued to the original payment method.
Shipping charges, rush fees, completed labor, audio preparation, artwork setup, engraving, printing, and other completed services are non-refundable unless required by applicable law.
The time required for an approved refund to appear depends on the payment provider, card issuer, bank, or financial institution.
Policy Relationship
This Returns & Refund Policy should be read together with our Shipping Policy and the terms displayed on the applicable product page.
If a product page or custom invoice contains more specific terms for a particular product or service, the more specific terms will apply to that purchase.
Policy Updates
Lathe Cut Vinyl Records may update this policy when our products, services, or business practices change.
The version of this policy published at the time an order is placed will apply to that order.
Contact
Questions regarding a reported defect, replacement, exchange, or return should be sent to: