FAQ

We would rather have you digging for records than digging around for answers. Here are the questions we hear most from GOOD TASTE Records customers.

About GOOD TASTE Records

Q. Is GOOD TASTE Records legit? A. Yes. GOOD TASTE Records is an independently owned record store in Boston's North End, open since 2021, with hundreds of glowing reviews on Google and on our own site from first-time and repeat customers. We have also been named to the Boston Globe's Best of the Best record stores two years running, in 2025 and 2026. There is only one GOOD TASTE Records. We operate only at goodtasterecords.com, and our handle is @goodtasterecord (and @goodtasterecords on TikTok and Pinterest). If you find a site or account claiming to be us anywhere else, it may be an imposter, so please let us know. You can read more about our recognition on our Press and Recognition page.

Q. Are you hiring? A. We are not actively hiring right now. When openings come up, we post them here on the site and across our social pages.

Q. Where else can I buy from you? A. Beyond the shop and goodtasterecords.com, you can also find our records on Google Shopping and on Discogs. It is always cheaper and simpler to buy directly from goodtasterecords.com or in-store.

Q. How do I get in touch? A. Email us at customerservice@goodtasterecords.com or call (617) 209-9953. You can also reach us through our Contact page.

Visiting the Shop

Q. Where are you located? A. We are at 4 Thacher Street in Boston's historic North End, a short walk from North Station and TD Garden, and diagonal from Regina Pizzeria.

Q. What are your hours? A. Our normal hours are 12 to 7pm Monday through Thursday, 12 to 6pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 to 5pm Sunday. Holiday hours and any schedule changes are posted on our Google listing.

Q. What is the easiest way to visit? A. The subway (the T) is easiest, since we are less than a 10 minute walk from North Station. Walking and cycling work well too, with Blue Bike parking within about 5 minutes. We do not recommend driving, as nearby parking is limited and not free. More details are on our Visit page.

Q. Do you have the same things in-store as online? A. Everything online is available in-store, plus a lot more. The shop carries used records, books, turntables, and other items you will not find on the site. Our online store focuses on new, sealed records, CDs, and cassettes, while used vinyl and gear live in the shop. Something that is unavailable online may still be on the shelf in-store, especially used copies.

Q. Do you carry turntables and accessories? A. Yes. We keep an active stock of turntables, cassette players, and CD players in the shop, available in-store only. Accessories such as 45 adapters, speakers, brushes, and sleeves are in-store only as well.

Q. How do you grade used records? A. We grade used records conservatively using the Goldmine standard so you get a fair, realistic sense of condition. If an album originally included extras like a poster, CD, or download code, those may not be present or still valid, and we note that in the listing when we can.

Shipping and Delivery

Q. How do you ship? A. We ship with USPS and UPS, and you choose your option at checkout. We ship across the U.S. and to a growing list of international destinations, with available countries shown at checkout.

Q. How much does shipping cost? A. USPS Media Mail is the most common option and usually runs about $5 to $8 within the U.S. Faster delivery speeds and added insurance cost more. Exact rates appear at checkout. Free shipping is available on orders of $65 and greater.

Q. What do you ship in? A. We use sturdy, double-walled cardboard mailers built specifically for records, in different sizes based on how many items are in your order. They hold up well in transit.

Q. When will my order arrive? A. We pack and ship fast. Orders generally go out the same day or within 1 to 2 business days, and most deliveries arrive within 2 to 6 days. Carrier timeframes are estimates, and we do our best to meet them.

Q. Can you ship my records outside the sleeve? A. Yes. Just note it in the order comments at checkout. We will inspect the record first to make sure there are no defects. Once we open a sealed album for this, the order is no longer eligible for cancellation or refund unless we find a defect during that inspection.

Q. Do records and other items ship together? A. To protect them, records always ship on their own. If your order includes apparel or other non-record items, those ship separately, and apparel may come from a different location, so it can arrive on its own timeline.

Q. What if something happens to my order in transit? A. While it is uncommon, issues can happen between us and the carrier. Let us know right away and, with your help, we will work to sort it out quickly. For anything marked delivered but missing, checking with your local USPS or UPS office is a good first step, and we will help however we can.

Orders and Pre-Orders

Q. Are your items on hand and ready to ship? A. Yes. We handle our own record inventory directly, with titles on hand and ready to go when you order. We do not drop ship records from a third party. Apparel and some merch may be made to order and ship from a separate location.

Q. Can I order more than one copy of the same record? A. Most albums are limited to one copy per order unless the listing says otherwise. This helps us keep limited and in-demand titles available to as many people as possible.

Q. Can I cancel my order? A. If you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible with your order number, since we prepare orders for shipping quickly. The sooner you reach us, the easier it is. Cancellation refunds may be subject to a restocking fee, so please see our refund policy and shipping policy for the details.

Q. Can I get a refund? A. Yes, within the terms of our refund policy. Take a look there for the full details on returns, refunds, and any fees.

Q. Do you offer pre-orders? A. Yes, on select titles online and in-store. We handle pre-orders the way we think they should be handled. We do not charge until the item is ready to ship, and you can cancel any time with no holds on your account. Because everything in an order ships together, we recommend placing pre-orders as their own separate order so the rest of your records are not held. We also cap pre-order quantities so titles are not oversold.

Q. Can I send a record as a gift? A. Of course. Let us know in the order comments and we can add a personal message. Our packing slips never show pricing, so they are gift-ready.

Availability and Alerts

Q. How will I know when a title I want is available? A. The easiest way is to add it to your wishlist or turn on the Notify Me alert on the product page. We bring titles back in regularly, and you will get an email the moment one is ready to order. You can also check with us in-store, since shop availability can differ from the site.

Q. What does it mean when an item shows as sold out? A. It means we do not have a copy available to ship from the site at that moment. We may still have it in the shop, especially used copies, and new copies arrive regularly. If a brand new release is marked as coming soon, it is on its way to us for the first time. Adding the item to your wishlist or turning on the Notify Me alert is the best way to know when it is ready to order.

Discounts, Rewards, and Referrals

Q. How can I save on records? A. Two easy ways. First, save 10% on new albums any time you buy 4 or more, applied automatically in your cart, in-store and online. Second, save 10% on your first order by signing up for our weekly What's GOOD newsletter. We also run occasional promotions through the newsletter. You can learn more on our Buy 4, Save 10 page. Free shipping of records is available on orders of $65+.

Q. Can I combine a discount or rewards code with another promo? A. Only one discount code can be used per order. You still earn rewards points on the purchase either way.

Q. What is the rewards program? A. You earn points for everyday actions like creating an account, following us on social, and making purchases. Points convert into discounts on future orders. See our Rewards page for the details.

Q. Do you have a referral program? A. Yes. Share your referral link and your friend gets 10% off their first order, and you earn $5 in GOOD TASTE store credit. Start with our Refer a Friend page.

Q. How many emails do you send? A. Other than order confirmations, every email is optional. We send a once-a-week newsletter with the latest releases and arrivals, availability alerts for items on your wishlist, and notes when you earn rewards. Now and then we may ask for feedback on a purchase to help us improve.

Q. Do you offer gift cards? A. Yes, good for use in-store and online.

Q. Can I get a sticker? A. Yes. You can grab our sticker packs online or in-store and add them to any order at checkout.

Selling and Trade-Ins

Q. Can I sell or trade in my records? A. Yes, we are always interested in good records. Reach out through our Sell and Trade-In page with what you have, and we will arrange a buy-in.

Care and Sustainability

Q. I bought a new record and it skips. Why? A. This is almost always down to the turntable rather than the record. Modern, bass-heavy music pressed on heavier 180 gram vinyl can struggle on entry-level players that do not let you balance the tonearm, and built-in speakers make it worse, since the vibration can bump the needle out of the groove. We do not accept returns or exchanges for skipping on turntables without balanced or adjustable tracking force, unless the record has scratches or a manufacturing defect. Full details are in our refund policy.

Q. Do you actually plant a tree for every order? A. We do. We plant a tree for every product purchased through our website, at no extra cost to you, through Eden Reforestation Projects, where mangroves are planted in Madagascar. It is a small way to help offset the cardboard mailers we ship in.