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Returns and refunds

If you are unhappy about the condition of item you have purchased from P&C Music, please contact peter@pandcmusic.co.uk to describe the nature of the problem. We will reply and let you know how to proceed. Before doing so, please read the following:

RETURNS ARE ONLY PERMITTED IF THE FOLLOWING APPLY

1) THE ITEM IS DAMAGED IN TRANSIT

and/or

2) THE ITEM WITHIN THE PACKAGING IS FAULTY IN SOME WAY
The vinyl record or CD will not play, is visibly warped, scratched or otherwise marked before being
played;
You find that the sleeve/cover/box is creased, cracked, bent or otherwise damaged after you have
unpacked it.

If any of the above apply, the item must be returned if possible in its original secure packaging (or, as
much like it as possible). This is to ensure that it reaches us without further damage and we can assess its condition as it reached you.

Upon return and after inspecting the goods, a full refund of the cost of the record(s) and postage plus the cost of postage incurred upon returning it will be given if we agree that it meets the conditions in 1) and/or 2) above.

DO NOT RETURN ITEMS WITHOUT EMAILING US FIRST, OR WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE RETURN OR GIVE A REFUND.

PLEASE READ THIS NEXT SECTION CAREFULLY

RETURNS ARE NOT PERMITTED IF THE NEW, SEALED RECORD YOU PURCHASED FROM US
HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY YOUR RECORD PLAYER.

There is an increasing number of budget-priced record players on the market that are attractive and conveniently compact. These are most often the all-in-one ‘suitcase’ / briefcase’ style record players such as Crosley, Victrola, Steepletone, Ion and others (but read on for other kinds). However, their low-quality tonearms, ceramic cartridges and built-in speakers provide poor sound and have no adjustable settings. This leads to a disppointing listening experience and potential wear to the records in your collection. Worst of all, they can damage new records.

Common defects

  • Harmful cartridges, tonearms and styli: There are two major faults, depending on the model. If it has a heavy ceramic cartridge, it offers poor sound quality (emphasized highs/lows) and can damage the vinyl, causing premature wear. In contrast, the other is caused by a very light tone arm and a plastic (not metal) stylus – rather than play correctly, it skips across the surface of the record, scratching it and creating permanent damage. Sometimes, replacement styli are not available to purchase so the existing one will wear out and become blunt.
  • Poor sound quality: Products with built-in speakers usually have weak sound and don’t reproduce the sound accurately – they cause vibrations that ruin sound and damage records
  • Inconsistent speed: The motor might not maintain a steady speed, causing pitch wavering (wow and flutter). Some turntables also rotate unevenly, causing the same problem.
  • No adjustments: These players lack a counterweight (at the opposite end of the tone arm to the needle) so that it can be adjusted, nor do they have an anti-skate mechanism to keep the needle in the groove. Both will cause distortion and premature groove wear.
  • Cheap build: They are made to sell at a bargain price and advertised to focus on features such as Bluetooth and USB connectivity rather than audio quality. 

Brands and types most often mentioned

  • Crosley: Whilst appealing because of their nostalgic appearance and attractive colours, the cheapest models (especially those with built-in speakers) have very poor sound quality
  • Victrola: Similar to Crosley, many sub-£100 Victrolas also fall into the ‘avoid’ category
  • Ion: They suffer from the same fundamental design flaws as other ‘suitcase’ players
  • Kedok, Udreamer, WOCKODER: Generic brands found online rather than in shops, but with similar issues. 

Some ‘non-suitcase’ record players and decks with mixed reviews
The following may look more like expensive products, but exhibit the same defects as the ‘suitcase’ variety:

GPO: Their record players are generally praised for their retro style, value for money, and ease of use, but have mixed reviews regarding sound quality, tracking and build durability. While some users find the built-in speakers satisfactory or even good, others describe them as tinny, and the overall construction is sometimes seen as flimsy with plastic parts. A key advantage is the ability to connect to external speakers, and many models offer additional features like CD players, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. 

Jam: Their audio turntables are popular entry-level options praised for modern design, Bluetooth convenience and affordability, making vinyl accessible to many. However, some reviews highlight significant sound quality limitations (tinny sound), potential for record damage (skipping/chipping with heavier records), and finicky Bluetooth set-up. They are ok for casual listening but willl disappoint many purchasers, as they often require additional speakers to improve the sound quality.

MBeat: Their products offer great vintage styling and portability, making them good starter units or for casual listening, but reviews report poor built-in speaker quality, skipping and audio distortion. Additional speakers are recommended to upgrade the limited sound quality.

Mbeat (Woodstock range): Reviews are mixed – users love its stylish retro look, portability and ease of use (built-in speakers, Bluetooth), making it great for beginners or casual listening, but many reviewers note that the built-in speakers offer thin, shrill sound and suggest connecting to external speakers or an amplifier for better quality, while some experienced issues like skipping or speed changes. Although budget-friendly, aesthetics often outweigh audio performance. 

Veon (often sold under the Fenton brand): Their players generally praised as stylish, affordable user-friendly entry-level turntables, great for casual listeners rediscovering vinyl and offering modern features like Bluetooth and built-in speakers for convenience. Some users however report issues like shoddy build and occasional skipping. Others find them good value for the price and performance, delivering surprisingly decent sound for basic listening.  

General advice: Vinyl records are precision products and require precision equipment to play them on.
If you buy at a bargain/budget price, you get what you pay for and it may not be fit for purpose. If you are not that bothered about sound quality and want something cheap and cheerful, that’s fine but bear in mind these players can cause irreparable damage to your records.

If a new sealed record has been damaged by your record player, we will not refund you. You cannot expect us to accept the item for return, refund you and make a loss on a damaged product we cannot resell.

Footnote: You don’t have to pay a small fortune to get a decent, reliable player. If you have yet to buy one or want an upgrade from your existing player, try Richer Sounds in Leeds or York. They give excellent advice, won’t baffle you with jargon and will help you find something to suit your budget. I have used them for many years – they are not paying me to say this!

Peter the Proprietor