Banquet Records Reviews 

I hate to criticise an independent record store but Banquet really need to sort out their mail order operation and service levels. So many items are out of stock when they are showing as available on their website. They then take your money and don’t bother to tell you the order isn’t available. After weeks of waiting I send an email and they tell me they’ll order it in even though it’s obviously sold out at the distributor. I then have to hassle them for a refund. Never get an apology. The concept of maintaining an accurate inventory or carrying out a stocktake seems to beyond them.

Having ordered a record, admittedly a discounted 'sale' record but 'new' condition, the last thing I expected was a smelly MOULD RIDDLED excuse for an item.
The inside of the sealed packaging, all the gatefold/ inserts and part of the vinyl were absolutely covered in Mould.
I dont know how this company stores their records, but this was awful, especially since it was 'new' condition.

Reported to the company and they couldn't give a damn, no care that it occurred and more evident, they weren't even shocked - I was told 'You could probably wipe it off and the vinyl will still play fine'...not sure they get the point or are concerned that putting this vinyl in my collection could lead to it spreading.

Was offered to return and have a refund, but barely an apology or cause for concern.

I would avoid at all costs.

Unprofessional staff. Retaliated at me because I was unhappy my vinyl arrived damaged and I showed them photographic proof.

Dont waste your time with these clowns. Go to rough trade or normanrecords.com instead. Hell id even recommend HMV over Banquet!
Online stock levels are not maintained, so what is showing as in stock will more than likely need ordering from an supplier, even when supplier orders are made, they cant seem to get the item.
3 months after original order date, requested a refund as this appears to be a record store with no records! not even so much as an apology.

They put on some great shows- sometimes with well known artists, if you're fortunate enough to nab tickets for these gigs the customer service is pretty good in the run up to the actual event.

Yet another music shop that claims to have items in stock and then you wait...and wait...until you have to email to find out what's happening. They claim issues with their supplier. I ordered a CD and T-shirt and nearly a month after ordering I had to request a refund. An email says a refund has been implemented, but I'll make sure it has arrived in the next 48 hours. Another pointless shop who don't know how to work out stock inventory. Avoid.

Have been ordering from banquet for a few years now and I have always had a great experience! their pricing is always super cheap and they offer more exclusive items like personally signed vinyls! I received my order a week after it was shipped out and I live internationally! will definitely keep buying from them in the future!

Fantastic record store. Always get what I'm after. Delivery has always been reliable too. Keep up the great work.

CD Shipped on 29th may apparently it's delivered yesterday not sure how they cam track as there is no tracking number had email today replied in 5.mins thats it ill wait again I called store who were not interested in a web order and there is no number for customer service like others say if it wasn't for personally signed items I'd avoid as terrible company poor customer service

Great company. A pleasure to deal with. Highly recommended

Speak to their online ordering customers like poop, very rude staff. If it wasn’t for the personally signed items nobody would order from them.

Pre-ordered an album on the 03/05/2025, which was released on the 23/5/2025. Album should have been delivered to me on the same day- 23rd. It is now 29/05/25 but it still has not been dispatched. (Order ref. 1568029)
Also, I previously ordered a couple of "Record Store Day" records online, which have gone missing. Banquet claim that they were delivered to a neighbour, but my neighbour disputes this. I have not received my order. (Order 1549370)
I will not be ordering anything else from them again disgusting service.

Pre-ordered The new sherlocks on the 11/2/2025, it was released on the 16/5/2025 so plenty of time to get my order ready but not for banquet records it still has not arrived.
I will not be ordering anything else from them again disgusting service

Ordered a DVD on 10 May. It was a gift ordered in plenty of time - three weeks before it was required - so I thought it'd be fine as the item was showing as in stock on the website, and turnaround time was stated as fov working days.

After hearing nothing for ten days I emailed them. They replied saying that the item had to be ordered in especially for me and there was no timeframe for its arrival. Huh? It's *still* showing as in stock on the website, so why does it need to be ordered in?!

Appalling service and now I'm left without a gift for my daughter and no time to get it elsewhere.

Always a good experience using banquet records for pre orders and existing stock! My go to, and will always recommend to friends and family x

I ordered a signed vinyl; the shipping was a bit slow, but that was expected and justified, as they also explained in the order confirmation email due to the overwhelming number of orders. The package arrived with perfect packaging. // everything was great. Thanks

I’ve ordered from this company and contacted them several times regarding vinyl stock etc, can honestly say you would spend a long time searching for a better, friendlier and more informed collection of people.

It took 3 and a half weeks for my order to arrive! I live locally. I was instructed to email regarding my order then to whatsapp when I called regarding an update on my order (as I hadn't heard from Banquet Records). I was informed I have to wait until the 12th May for my order to arrive. The Customer Service is poor. On a plus note the vinyl arrived. It was tracked 48 and wasn't despatched 2 weeks ago. I received the confirmation email over 2 weeks ago said it had been despatched then. I placed my order on the 14th April. I understand RSD can be busy and hectic but over 3 weeks wait isn't good

I've had two really negative experiences with Banquet Records online orders now, which is a shame because their physical shop and events are great. However, their online customer service is really not good.

I pre-ordered a vinyl with special delivery for release day, but it was dispatched late and won't arrive on time.

When I enquired, I received an unprofessional and inaccurate response claiming it had already been sent. After some back and forth with Ben which was not particularly helpful and did not acknowledge any issue with their communications or system of handling mail orders, it only showed as received by Royal Mail after I asked for a refund, so it won't arrive on time. I also paid special delivery but it seems they have used a cheaper Royal Mail service.
This follows a previous issue where a warped vinyl only resulted in a frustrating partial refund offer, after emails back and forth (again with Ben) including sending videos of the problem.

While their physical shop might be fab, their online order service and customer support are poor, and their online stock system seems unreliable. Avoid it.

My Record Store Day 2025 purchase arrived beautifully and very securely packaged, with a couple of handwritten cards inside. As always, a pleasure to buy from :)