FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a question for VMG that’s not shown here? Contact us and ask away!
Encapsulating your vinyl record in our patented, tamper-proof cases guarantees that the album matches the description on its grading label. This provides collectors with complete confidence that the record has not been altered in any way. With a crystal-clear display of both the vinyl sleeve and the record itself, you can easily verify the accuracy of our vinyl grading, ensuring your album’s value is fully protected.
We offer competitive pricing while delivering exceptional value with every slab we produce. Pricing starts at $39 for sealed vinyl and $49 for opened vinyl, plus shipping and insurance. For full details, visit our pricing guide. You can also use our submission form to customize your options and get a tailored price for your specific needs.
Your vinyl record is graded using VMG’s 10-point rubric, based on the trusted Goldmine grading standards. This ensures transparency and objectivity, allowing you to easily compare the condition of your album with others.
At VMG, we thoroughly research and authenticate each album with care and expertise. However, if we are unable to confirm the authenticity of your album, we will not encapsulate, grade, or label it. In this case, the album will be returned to you.
If your submission does not include any cleaning services, please ship your submission via USPS to:
P.O. Box 2416, Westerly, RI 02891
If you would like to ship via a different carrier than USPS (ie., UPS or FedEx) please contact us at info@vmgvinyl.com.
If your submission includes cleaning services, please ship via USPS to:
P.O. Box 92, Funkstown, MD 21734
Again, if you would like to ship via a different carrier than USPS (ie., UPS or FedEx) please contact us at info@vmgvinyl.com.
In addition to the instructions on the FAQ, upon submitting your album for grading, instructions will also be provided as to the best way to safely ship your album.
PACKAGING INSTRUCTIONS:
First, if the album is open, remove the vinyl record from the sleeve and place the record sleeve in a clear plastic protective sleeve made for vinyl records. Then place the vinyl record into a generic inner sleeve and place it behind the record sleeve. In case there are printed inner sleeves, lyric sheets, posters, or any other items, they may be stored inside the record sleeve for safekeeping.
If the record is sealed, please place the sealed record into a clear protective sleeve to protect the shrink wrap.
Place the vinyl record between two 12"x 12" cardboard stiffeners then place in a record shipping carton. Seal the record shipping carton with packing tape and then place in a larger box with bubble wrap or other packaging such as foam "peanuts" or shipping paper to fill the empty space. Also include a printed copy of your order confirmation for our reference.
If you would prefer to order a shipping carton kit from VMG, you may do so for $15 during the submission process. In most situations, our shipping cartons can hold up to five records each. For shipping recommendations for larger orders, please contact us at info@vmgvinyl.com.
Media Mail is an inexpensive way to ship records. However, the USPS reserves the right to open any boxes that are shipped via Media Mail. As a result, shipping items via Media Mail incurs an increased risk of damage to your album. That damage is solely the responsibility of the customer, not VMG. To ensure your album arrives safely in our headquarters, we recommend you send your albums insured, via USPS priority, Fedex, or UPS. If you prefer to ship using a carrier other than USPS, please contact us at info@vmgvinyl.com.
Currently, VMG is only accepting 12″ vinyl records for encapsulation and grading. This includes single and double albums, gatefold, sealed, and open albums. However, we will be providing services for the grading and encapsulation of 10″ and 7″ records shortly.
We welcome the inclusion of bootlegs in our client's submissions, as they often feature unreleased material.
However, please note that we strictly do not accept counterfeits. Counterfeits refer to unofficial reprints of an artist's official discography and are typically released without the knowledge or authorization of the artist.
