Banquet Records Reviews 

My experience with Banquet Records is that they send damaged stock to clear their shelves. This happened to me quite a few times and I asked if I could return the item. I returned perhaps 4/5 times over 3 years and was banned by Ben in retaliation for not accepting a damaged copy. The last time they sent me a replacement which was damaged as well despite me asking for a refund. I would ultimately steer clear if you can. Shop elsewhere. Not because of me, but if you want to be treated in such a way.

Pre-ordered a vinyl 6 months ago which was released 3 months ago, no shipment.

Multiple times I was told they were unable to get hold of the item from the supplier despite other stores getting it.

They continue to sell it as 'buy now' on their site (not pre-order) and continue to take and hold peoples money despite knowing they can't fulfil the order.

If Banquet are struggling to get stock allocated by suppliers I'd be cautious to give them any money as they might be having financial issues.

I've cancelled this order (and my others) and ordered from Juno instead, who dispatched it an hour later for next day delivery.

A few weeks ago, I had an issue with a delivery of a cd (the wrong album was delivered) I emailed customer service. Ben replied and was notably helpful, polite and courteous. He was apologetic about the problem. I ended up with a higher value of products than I originally ordered, and found a new band. I will definitely buy from them again .

Terrible store with terrible practices, avoid at all costs. I wish i could rate them lower. Ordered an album with a signed art card, they never send a tracking number until the package was returned back to them - turns out they never inform you you have to EMAIL them to ask for a tracking number which is essential to get updates on the package 🙃 Ben was very rude and stopped responding after one email. No refunds, no sending back packages. Avoid if you can.

They are liars. They are selling fake signatures. They steal your money. Rude staff. Ben is also thief who thinks that he can make others do what he wants. Not refunding money. Making excuses not to do it. Waiting for those fake signatures months. Avoid as much you can.

Ordered 2 albums from Banquet in the past. The first one was cancelled and refunded after 8 days with no reason, the second was finally sent out after 12 days due to "supplier issues" despite it being marked as "In Stock". They're clearly either taking online orders then ordering the records in - to be fair they say they might do this in the small print - or are hopeless at tracking online orders. I genuinely think they'd forgotten about my second order and if I hadn't mailed them it would have sat there for weeks or months. Miraculously, the day after I chased the second order the status changed to "shipped".

Wish I had read the reviews about Banquet records before ordering anything online. If your order goes ok and you get what you ordered then fine, if not they just ignore your emails etc.
I ordered two 7 inch singles which took a fortnight to come as they do not appear to have the stock of the records they are selling. One single was fine the other one was not the one I ordered, right artist wrong record. Can I get a response from, absolutely not. I would avoid them as I will not be ordering again

I pre-ordered The Script - Satellites album on Vinyl & CD because Banquet said these copies would be signed + a personal message written by the band. Banquet stated that these album would be with me on the day of release ( Friday 16/08/24).

On Saturday 17th I e-mailed them to ask where my order was requesting tracking and carrier.

On Monday 19th Banquet replied citing issues with packing and matching albums to orders.

On Tuesday 20th I get an email to say they order has been dispatched but no tracking.

I stupidly gave them 72 hours but with no delivery or tracking details I again contacted Banquet on Friday 23rd requesting tracking and carrier.

It's now Saturday the 24th and I've had my post but the order has not arrived. I've had no reply again the my request for tracking and carrier. It's clear Banquet are ignoring me.

Bitterly disappointed as they promised delivery on the release date. It's now 8 days later and I don't have my order or a reply with tracking & carrier.

Like others on here I only wish I'd read the reviews before ordering.

I order quite a few pre orders from official stores and I've never had this issue before. I have always had the release on the day of release or the day after.

8 days? No response? Avoid at all costs!

I'll update if the order arrives or if Banquet update me. If there is no update I've applied to my bank to request a hold and a refund.

I use this company all the time. They provide great service and arrange amazing gigs

Ordered online and record was sent but Royal Mail never updated so was returned. Several messages with Banquet records and re deliver arranged. Great service prompt response each time and now have the record. Thanks.

I had order a Album Under Stars Amy Macdonald, but there is a delay. So I asked a refund for my purchase. Within 2 days I received the amount on my account.

I have tried to contact you about my missing Zara Larsson tickets via email and X . I brought them on the 29/01/24. I never got a confirmation email but money was taken. I brought 1 ticket for my daughter as she wanted to go with her sister. I completely forgot about the gig until my daughter reminded me. I looked on my account and nothing there.
I have my bank and paypal receipt of the purchase so why is there no ticket? Disgusting that you won’t reply on X social media even though you reply to other posts.

The gigs they put on are great. Nice intimate venue and you pay hardly anything for a ticket so that's a great thing about this shop.
Bad points are the mega slow delivery. If you want something delivered quick go elsewhere. Ordered the new Richard Hawley album as on instagram said it would be sent so you get it on release date. Almost a week later and it's only just been posted. Think they are a victim of their own success.

Placed an order for limited edition vinyl, supposed dispatched but never received, very slow to communicate by email, then nearly 3 weeks later was told, there was an issue with a lost mailbag, not convinced due to other poor reviews, maybe look elsewhere

I have ordered from Banquet records 3 times, first time the record came with a bent corner, I was offered a small percent refund as they told me they did not have the item in stock anymore, although they were still advertising it on there site, ok stuff happens move along!

Next purchase they took just over a month to ship, again things happen but when I just sent them a polite email asking if the order had gone through / any idea of despatch time, the response was not great with remarks of "they have had a lot of orders" and the team are working around the clock. Fair enough, I have patience and I know the order is in, ok (although I 100% believe that they had over sold and were waiting for more from the distro)

This last order was for a RSD release which I made right away as soon as it dropped on site, however this never turned up and was refunded, but the odd thing was they mentioned that they had had queries regarding other orders of this title. Did they oversell?? I think so. Regardless I wont now be getting that release and its sad as I had seen it pop up on a couple of other sites before becoming sold out but didnt get it as Hey I had a copy on order!

Needless to say that this will be my final time buying from them via mail order. I would gladly buy in person BUT never online again from them!

I should also note that I have been buying records for decades and bar the odd record going missing via discogs to my mind have never had a single item go missing in the mail from any other online shop!

Pre-ordered a Banquet Records exclusive LP and even though it arrived a day later than I was expecting, it was in perfect condition. Received regular updates regarding the pre-order.

Updated

Ordered three lps at 8pm on RSD , payment taken showing as ordered online but nothing received and no updates , always received RSD orders quickly from other retailers - 2 stars as hopeful will still arrive - but concerned by reviews , tbh wish i had read before ordering as would have bought elsewhere - will update

All records arrived about 3 weeks after ordering well packaged but one had been dropped on it corner before packing which was frustrating , tbh i wasn’t expecting delivery to take that long as haven’t had that experience with any other retailer after RSD.

i’m sure they are great if you can call into the store but i wouldn’t buy again mail order.

i have upgraded my rating to reflect items received safely albeit slowly.

my impression of the retailer could be summed up by watching the movie Empiire Records

Big record store, however its been a week since RSD 2024 and they still haven’t shipped my order. They should know better than this. They look nice in social media but then you buy from them and you have to wait forever. RSD is a busy day and week, do better!!!

I've placed several online orders with Banquet. Some for personal signed items (The Hives), some exclusive vinyl, and a RSD 24 release that had sold out EVERYWHERE else. Really good retailer, and please please please look beyond some of the negative reviews - a loud minority

Second year ordering from them for record store day and they always get the orders out so quickly despite the amount of orders they get. My go to for records