Earache Records Reviews 

211
•
TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 89 reviews, reviewers had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the exceptional customer service and extremely helpful staff members who always go above and beyond to resolve any issues quickly and professionally. People also genuinely love the secure packaging and remarkably fast delivery times for their favorite music purchases, vinyl albums, and valuable collectibles. However, some people mentioned frustrating delays in shipping and extended order dispatch times before items were finally sent out. A few other people also felt that packages occasionally arrived missing parts or containing minor product flaws that required extra communication to fix.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers find product to be a mixed experience, as many reviewers highlight fast shipping, affordable... See more

Order

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with order fulfillment, as some reviewers experience... See more

Customer service

Clients share positive opinions on customer service, frequently highlighting brilliant communication and... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of delivery service, noting that packages frequently arrive on time, in... See more

Service

Customers had positive experiences with service, frequently praising prompt support and fast communication.... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I recently had a problem with a presale signed release of the new Kriss Barrass album, it arrived on the day of release unsigned. After emailing Earache records and conversing with them, I have receiv... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Quick to replace a dodgy usb bit the reply of email took two goes . Once they replied though I received a replacement within a week . Still work to do guys on answering said emails . Thanks for sorti... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent for buying vinyl I've ordered many times and my purchases usually contain vinyl, often limited editions, signed by the artist, etc. The items always arrive in perfect condition and are ship... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Ordered Orbit Culture - forgotten and shaman ep, delayed release by seek and strike records ,but Earache kept me informed and didn't cancel my pre order as others have done. Arrived in perfect cond... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Media & Publishing

Written by the company

Earache Records is an independent record label, music publisher and management company founded by Digby Pearson, based in Nottingham, England with offices in London and New York.


Contact info

4.1

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

211 reviews

5-star
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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 50% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 24 hours

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4.1

All reviews

(211)

96 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order No. 109569 and 111200

Order No. 109569 and 111200: Just reclaimed my money via Paypal. They simply do not handle the orders. Reply on the first order after 4 weeks: „ Just checked on this one and it's going out in the next day or so.“ Seems they take the „or so“ verbatim. Do not order from Earache!!!!

September 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Terrible customer service, missing goods

UPDATE: Resolved 8th Sep - I've now received the correct items. Tom got in touch, apologised and posted the missing items out. Although the mix-up, delays and lack of communication were very frustrating, I'm pleased it's now sorted.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Terrible customer service! Ordered the Electric Callboy Tanzneid Deluxe CD Box set - when I received a delivery (after chasing them about delayed despatch) it was a CD only, and no other contents from the box set. Emailed them straight away 20th Aug to ask where the rest of it is. Finally got a reply 25th Aug from Tom: "A mix up our end. I can send out the correct order with all the extras in the next day or so". Fair enough - I'll wait. Well its now 4th Sept and I still havent received the missing goods! I've sent two chaser emails asking for updates and they are completely ignoring me. Avoid them, I've been scammed out of £70 for a CD! Forget Earache, you'll only get a headache.

September 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Hi Gina, sorry for the initial frustration, glad it's now all sorted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Received the item quickly

Received the item quickly. Customer service is exemplary. Had a minor issue but sorted out immediately with no issues. 👍🏽

September 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

You're welcome Dean!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I recently had a problem with a presale…

I recently had a problem with a presale signed release of the new Kriss Barrass album, it arrived on the day of release unsigned. After emailing Earache records and conversing with them, I have received a signed insert. Thanks for your help Tom at Earache records. The presale delivery works well, although it did take a couple of days to answer the email. Would I use them again? Sure.

August 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the review Mervyn :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I bought a Beatles Acoustic guitar for…

I bought a Beatles Acoustic guitar for my daughter for her birthday. A month later she decided to finally open the package, she immediately was saddened because it was cracked, most likely due to shipping. So, I decided to reach out to the store and told them the situation, and they immediately offer to send my daughter a new one free of charge. Also, keep in mind, I live in California, USA. My daughter and I will forever be grateful. Please dont hesitate to do business with Earache Records, they're 10000000% trustworthy and legit. God Bless them.

August 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the kind review Don!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

Vinyl was dispatched superfast and arrived next day.
Unfortunately there was a manufacturing fault with the sealed LP but Earache customer service was impeccable… a perfect replacement copy arrived next day. It’s when there are problems that a seller shows its true nature. Earache could not be bettered!
Excellent

July 31, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thank you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Earache got the metal in my hands

I ordered a cd through their bandcamp site. It ended up getting stolen or lost on the way to me, but Tom fixed that situation very quickly for me and got a replacement out right away. Now I have my Bolt Thrower and am happy! Thank you so much Tom and Earache. There are so many classic albums I've ordered from them, and always receive quality products.

July 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the kind review Jeffrey! You're welcome!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer support

Great customer support. Had an issue with an item that was returned to sender due to a typo in the delivery address and they contacted me immediatly and were able to send it back. Received it no problem.

June 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the review Jordan!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Orbit Culture- Forgotten -Shaman

Ordered Orbit Culture - forgotten and shaman ep, delayed release by seek and strike records ,but Earache kept me informed and didn't cancel my pre order as others have done.
Arrived in perfect condition and well packaged.
My go to now for pre orders and any other vinyl
Many thanks keep up the excellent service

July 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the kind words Stuart!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This company is an absolute joke

This company is an absolute joke. They don't send items and blame "staff illness" every single time.
Take a look at the reviews. It's so bad it's hilarious.
I feel sorry for the staff, there must be some sort of plague going around at Earache HQ whenever an order comes in.
How bizarre.

July 10, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Hi Elaine,

We're a small company, and yes, people do get ill!

I can't find an order for or any emails from an Elaine Davies unfortunately, otherwise I would check the order's progress and let you know.

Sincerely, Earache's Bubonic Plague Doctor

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Not the earache records they used to be , not by along shot

On the 22nd of June, I ordered a bunch of t-shirts. I am having somewhat of a death metal renaissance, so I thought I would treat myself. Long story short, I bought £107 worth of gear, and it is still not here. I didn't think Nottingham was that far away!The main thing is that I don't understand why they can't reply to emails. I have sent four now with no reply. I have read other reviews, and they all say the exact same thing.I've been buying Earache gear since 1989, back when it was a good company that cared about its fans. Their customer service lacks in every department now. It is just really sad that my once-favourite label has become so complacent. No wonder all the good bands have jumped ship.Oh, and FYI: the other week I ordered a patch off eBay, and it arrived the day after next. So what the heck is going on there? Have all staff members fallen tragically ill, or is it just plain old "CBA"?To add to that, I ordered £200 worth of merch and LPs from Relapse in Pennsylvania, USA, and that got here in two weeks—which is nearly what this order has taken. Yay Relapse, boo Earache. "Ballache" is more like it.

after posting this review i received conformation of dispatch , i did chuckle to myself a bit and i wonder if i'll get a follow up message on here from the legendary tom , okay so they have pulled it out of the bag and got the stuff here , so ill give them an extra star ..... complimentary bolt thrower lp wouldnt go a miss tho' , so i got the order and , thanks alot love the geat totally ....but no motorhead t shirt , so they still cant get it right , very very sad , by the way phil said everyones ill again .......

July 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Rubbish customer support

Order two items from them. One was perfect, the other wasnt. Emailed them as stated on their website, got a quick response asking for pictures of the problem which I supplied and now radio silence.
So I assume I should be thankful half the order was correct.

I will be avoiding in future.

A company with only one support staff. My review still stands. The offer to for a discount code on another product - not great.

June 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Hi Ian,

I replied to this yesterday (3 working days after the photos were sent) offering alternative options to the issue.

Sorry for the belated response, as I said in the email was off sick for two days!

Tom

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order placed on the 4th, now sold out

Order placed on the 4th. Email sent asking for an update on the 14th. Reply recieved the same day stating order would be sent next day or early the following week. By Wednesday of the next week nothing recieved and order still showing as 'being prepared'. Another email sent on the 18th. No reply. The item is now showing as sold out on the site. Does that mean I've got a copy and it's just waiting to be mailed out or have I missed out? At the moment, I don't know.

I've followed Earache since the 90s and would have never thought a label with such a positive reputation would have such a poor mail order side.

I dislike writing negative reviews as normally poor customer service can be due to one or two mishaps etc with the company but for a label the size of Earache it just appears to be poor customer service outright.

June 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Hi Lee,

Sorry for the delay with your order - there's a 5 working day handling time on all orders so on top of this your order is unfortunately another 5 working days late. Staff illness has put us a bit behind this past few weeks. I've checked and it's being sent out before the weekend.

The item is sold out, however your order is confirmed and is being sent as you ordered before they were gone.

I'm confused about the emails though, we only have one email from you last Friday (12th) that I responded to on the same day saying it's being sent next week...?

The only email address associated with webstore enquiries is webstore@earache.com, any other address is not monitored or used for the webstore.

All the best
Tom

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

Order came well packaged but despite this RM had managed to slides through it. CD was fine, but band signed merch was not. I sent photos and Earache sorted it straight away - no issues. Great service, great label and great bands!

June 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the review Steve!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good customer service!

There was an issue with my order that may have taken another company weeks to sort out, and these guys were really helpful it was all sorted within 24 hours! Great service.

June 12, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks Dave appreciate the review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Simply The Best.......

Simply The Best.......
Customer service is second to none, fast delivery, well packed and they respond very fast to any issues (not that there are many). What is also refreshing, is with their own artist, most vinyl purchases come with either a download or USB with .WAV files, meaning you don’t have to buy a download or CD to have files on you PC, phone and in the car. Some of the big labels and music distributors could learn a lot from Earache Records.

June 12, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Thanks for the kind words Wayne!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This is the rudest someone at a company…

This is the rudest someone at a company has ever been. Ordered on ebay informed clearly as ebay do delivery between 26th May until 2nd June. Ebay stated clearly the order was running behind. Got fake untracked tracking as post office 48 on the 2nd June as ebay must have pushed them to post. So meant to be within 2 days as said posted on the 2nd June.
I constantly support small, independent brands and on the 7th June was leaving my partner’s parents as his mum has passed away. Sent a message saying t-shirt has not arrived please refund. Got a reply saying please send new address although i explicitly stated i would no longer be there. Then things got weird some guy called Tom turned aggressive and said it was posted and i wouldn’t get a refund. I am no longer there it’s not my home.

I actually found this upsetting ok be incompetent but don’t blame the customer for your own rudeness, anger and being unable to work within posting parameters. Tell the truth rather than lies and aggression. Really not cool or nice.

Names can be a clue sometimes. Earache records is apt. Was looking forward to receiving my t-shirt. Definitely don’t want it and as a loyal, supportive buyer on ebay they will see my conduct and on the 12th June i will explain this so called shop kept sending messages to me when i repeatedly told them to stop contacting me and i will take up the issue with ebay. Really inappropriate conduct.
Please cast the eye within and think of how your horrible behaviour could affect someone.
Please avoid anyone that likes normality, professionalism, clear communication and customer service.

June 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Earache Records logo

Reply from Earache Records

Very little of this is true.

The item was shipped before the customer informed us of a move or a new address. We can't refund orders after they have been sent out to an address that the customer has specified in the order.

I'll admit, I did make a rude comment, but only after the equally rude comments from yourself that were wholly unnecessary. I know two wrongs don't make a right, but we're a metal record label, not a creche - if you're rude to us you'll get it back. At no point was I aggressive.

Furthermore, there were no messages to you that weren't a direct reply to a question/comment you had made, and contact ceased after you requested to not be contacted anymore. To say we repeatedly contacted you after you told us not to is a lie.

This could have been wholly resolved - the package would have likely been returned to us and we could have sent it out to a new address. My willingness to help rude customers is little to non-existent.

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