VNYLReviews of vnyl.org

It seems to me the biggest issue, the one that's causing most of the complaints about "fraud," is that Vnyl doesn't automatically ship the records each month. I was about two months in, having the same issue as most people, so I contacted support and found out I had never selected a curation level (despite repeatedly going to the site and clicking on one). So, long story short, the webpage is a bit counterintuitive--once you click on a choice, you're taken to a page hawking their plans, but you're supposed to click on the much smaller continue button on the (if I remember right) top right of the page; it's even smaller on a cell phone screen to the point of feeling obscured, which takes you to the shipping cost page. Or, and this would solve most of the complaints, they should just charge the shipping with the subscription and have a one click check out, backed up by a time limit to make a choice before they ship a fully curated order. I can't think of another subscription service that sends NOTHING unless you manually make a choice (though admittedly, that was the bane of Columbia House, but they were marking up their bad monthly CD selection to make up for giving you so many to begin with at a penny each), and it's the primary reason for their bad reputation. As for the other issue, the curation itself, I subscribed to get the kind of albums I would never think to pick up from a record store unless they were on clearance, and that's what I've mostly gotten, as well as a few that I would have picked up if I'd ever seen them (including a Big Black EP). If that's not your mindset, if you aren't open to listening to music outside your specific subgenres or list of artists, then this probably isn't the service for you. I've never received a specific album I listed as one I've been seeking, but mine were pretty specific cult niche titles or classics that would never end up in what I assume is a clearing house of sorts. I've traded in a good portion of them (after using the digital codes that are provided in some of them), but I did receive a few new favorites such as Blackerface. My current plan has a promotional price that makes it about ten dollars for each of the three records I receive each month, shipping included. I don't know if they still have that promotion going, but this feels about right compared to the base rate of, I believe, $35 for the 3-record plan, plus shipping.

I encountered this service through a TikTok ad and I was really enthralled by the concept of vinyls being curated through your own music taste. I decided to sample this by doing a solo plan just for one month unless I decided to stick around. My record came in a timely manner with curation being finished after three days and the record being shipped exactly 2 weeks after I selected my #VIBE. Although the record I got was alright and somewhat reflected on my music taste, I can see others finding themselves at odds with the records being comparable to what you'd find in some clearance section. I was considering staying subscribed, but looking at the reviews on here really spooked me and finalized my decision in cancelling. This page is also claimed yet they rarely get back to those who leave 1-stars. The cons are in abundance from scammy natures, bad customer service, poor curation, supposedly disingenuous "handwritten" cards that are written by a service called Handwrytten, shady business practices, and pretty much what any business shouldn't do. I found having to call in to cancel to be a bit of an annoying factor but you can thankfully just do it by email instead of having to potentially call in again and again and again or just never receive some kind response through the phone as I've seen in many reviews. I sent an email to request a cancellation and they got back to me in less than 24 hours and cancelled my subscription right away. I was thoroughly impressed given what's been said here, so either I'm lucky or things are shaping up on their end. I think while my experience does not have very deep roots as it's just the first month experience, take this as some kind of neutral reference if you're having trouble deciding. The negative reviews are overwhelming, though, so take them as you will as well. These guys haven't had a 5-star review in well over a year anyways.

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve gotten my orders and well.... To sum up my experience quickly, after MONTHS of waiting I received my first box which was just really full of random junk records, nothing worthwhile from indie bands that had nothing to do with my taste. My second month was much better by a significant margin, I was sent records that were worthwhile from pretty decent bands. VNYL is a decent service in need of drastic help/leadership, the wait for 1-3 records is atrocious and you might be better off paying for overpriced albums at your local record store BUT at the same time you could find a lot of hidden gems with vnyl. I’d recommend VYNL if you have a very specific music taste and if you’re incredibly patient but besides that you might have better luck tossing a significant amount of money at record stores for overpriced copies and unwarranted bootlegs. (Bumped up from 1 star because I very much enjoyed my second month)

Original post: DO NOT GET THIS!!! I hate this service. It has been confusing, difficult, disappointing from the beginning and now I have seven records to show for being charged $15 a month for 2 years. I just cancelled and noticed they do not provide credit after you cancel so that's it. I have to walk away from a bad investment. Edit: Part of the problem is their website is trying so hard to be slick that it provides no information. If you are an old guy like me and you don't know that 'Select you vibe' means pick a record, and that you can listen to it prior to buying, then you are kind of screwed. I wrote an email telling them how dissatisfied I was with the first record and got the "we're sorry you feel that way" response. Not helpful. Right after the original posting of this review I was contacted by the company to let me know how to use up my credit. Not sure if they changed policies or if I misunderstood. The selection was not great but there are some really good new artists that I got turned on to. Upgrading to 3 stars!