MAIL-ORDER INFO
ON THIS PAGE
MISCELLANEOUS
Read me first
PayPal
Postal rates
Observations & Information
VAT, Payments, Discount, The small print, Problems,
Condition Grading Rough Guide, Abbreviations,
Second-hand grades, General layout
First order...
Step 1:
get a registration formStep 2: print-off the form & fill it in.
Step 3: Send the form to us.
For security reasons, all initial orders must be preceded by a completed registration form, which must be hand-written and signed. As the bank insists we have proof of customer origin, we prefer to receive registration forms by mail, as this constitutes proof of where the customer is. You can also fax it to us. Best to phone and check we got it okay! You can only email a form if you are already known to us, or those already registered that are updating info (scan & use 96dpi greyscale gif format, compressed to under 60k). Make sure you include a normal phone number and the security code [the final block of 3 numbers on the back of credit cards]. If you don't like faxing/sending all such info, then tell us key extras like the expiry date and security code by email or phone [a card cannot be used without these].
Further orders:
Can be made by phone, regular mail, email or fax.Order forms are available with catalogues, or by request with an order. You can also print one off from the page on this web site. Please, use our order-form for mail or fax orders. When making an order by email be sure to list your full name and address. This avoids bogus orders or items going to the wrong person. We do have different customers with the same names! When ordering or reserving by phone, ask for Alan, tell me your full name and that you a registered customer, and I will access your file on our off-line system.
As a number of people have requested it, and for ease of payment for those wanting to buy things like "The Crack In The Cosmic Egg" CD-Rom without needing to register, I decided to set up a personal PayPal account. Setting up a personal account like this avoids all the extra charges associated with business banking, but does have disadvantages (see Notes below).
Use the SEND PAYMENT option at PayPal to my personal (Alan Freeman) PayPal account: utle2uk@tiscali.co.uk.
When you do this, also email me at: utle2uk@tiscali.co.uk to let me know, giving your address info, etc.!
And/or include such info along with the payment instruction.
Notes, observations...
Surcharge: always add 5%.
There is a very variable rate of charges on PayPal transactions, depending on the type of funding, currency conversion, etc., plus a fee of 20p per transaction. As there's no way of actually knowing what the charges will be beforehand, add 5% to any order total, which usually covers it. If in doubt, email me utle2uk@tiscali.co.uk and ask for a quote.Fund clearance: please be patient!
As I'm using this account as a proxy for Ultima Thule, I need to clear funds to pay UT so that your order can be processed. Why do I do this? It avoids the bank charges that would be incurred if we had the PayPal accounted linked to our business account. PayPal charge 25p per withdrawal under £50, I usually await fund build-ups of £50+ to avoid transfer charges when forwarding payments to Ultima Thule. The drawback is this can cause delays on smaller payments. If you wish me to clear the funds immediately, please add the 25p PayPal fee and tell me. Such transfers usually take 3 work days. Those in a hurry should register with UT and pay by credit or debit card!Important: Never send me a payment for something that I may not be able to supply!
As I do not want to get involved with returning/refunding funds, etc., only use PayPal to order things that we definitely have in stock, i.e. items that you have reserved, or Ultima Thule releases and Audion Magazine. If in doubt, you can either email me utle2uk@tiscali.co.uk and ask for a quote, or phone me on 0116 285 4545 (Tues-Fri 12:00-17:00, Sat 10:30-17:00).
Problems? Goods not arrived? Queries!
You know we are a reputable, long-time established business, so please don't start a dispute via PayPal, at least not until you've communicated with us first! Such action not only can cause inconvenience and expense for us, but can also affect transactions with other customers. Remember, delays can be caused by various factors, some beyond our control. Always email me utle2uk@tiscali.co.uk before you do anything else!Regular customers, repeat orders, etc. - it is best to register with UT!
Excepting personal payments to me (Alan Freeman) for other non Ultima Thule purchases, this is a secondary payment/order option. For Ultima Thule orders it is still best to use our normal customer registration system for credit/debit card payments, especially for establishing repeat orders and our super speedy mail-order. It will also cost you less. Remember, we also accept UK Sterling cheques, UK Postal Orders (not crossed), and many other payment methods. If in doubt, enquire!
P&P unit rates
1 unit = MC (cassettes), 3"CD (only 1 unit on little Metamkine CD's), 7" records
2 units = CD (compact discs), 2xMC sets, magazines
3 units = VHS (video cassettes), DVD, 2xCD sets, 10" records
6 units = first LP, 4 units = each subsequent LP (i.e. doubles = 10 units!)
Special services
UK Recorded delivery:
add £0.90 to the P&P cost.UK Insured letter: total cost: 1-8 units £7.50, 9-13 units £9.00, 14-28 units £11.00
EEC recorded: add £4.20 to P&P (cover £30 only), registered: add £6.50 to P&P.
Export recorded: add £3.50 to P&P (cover £30 only), registered: add £5.50 to P&P.
note: insurance levels vary, and are not available to all countries.
Europe letter post
World letter post
units
UK
EEC
non EEC
units
surface
air
1
£0.80
£1.70
£1.40
1
£1.00
£1.70
2
£1.00
£2.40
£2.00
2
£1.50
£3.00
3
£1.50
£3.10
£2.60
3
£2.00
£4.20
4
£2.00
£3.80
£3.20
4
£2.50
£5.40
5
£2.50
£4.50
£4.80
5
£3.00
£6.50
6
£3.00
£5.20
£4.40
6
£3.50
£7.50
7
£3.25
£5.80
£4.90
7
£4.00
£8.50
8
£3.50
£6.40
£5.40
8
£4.40
£9.50
9
£3.75
£6.90
£5.90
9
£4.80
£10.50
10
£4.00
£7.40
£6.40
10
£5.20
£11.30
11
£4.25
£7.80
£6.80
11
£5.60
£12.10
12
£4.50
£8.20
£7.20
12
£6.00
£12.80
13
£4.75
£8.60
£7.50
13
£6.40
£13.30
14
£5.00
£9.00
£7.80
14
£6.80
£14.00
15
£5.25
£9.40
£8.10
15
£7.20
£14.70
16
£5.50
£9.80
£8.40
16
£7.50
£15.40
17
£5.75
£10.20
£8.70
17
£7.80
£16.10
18
£6.00
£10.50
£9.00
18
£8.10
£16.80
19
£6.25
£10.80
£9.30
19
£8.40
£17.50
20
£6.50
£11.10
£9.60
20
£8.70
£18.00
21
£6.75
£11.40
£9.90
21
£9.00
£18.50
22
£7.00
£11.70
£10.20
22
£9.20
£19.00
23
£7.25
£12.00
£10.40
23
£9.40
£19.50
24
£7.50
£12.30
£10.60
24
£9.60
£20.00
25
£7.75
£12.60
£10.80
25
£9.80
£20.50
26
£8.00
£12.90
£11.00
26
£10.00
£21.00
27
£8.25
£13.20
£11.20
27
£10.20
£21.50
28
£8.50
£13.50
£11.50
28
£10.40
£22.00
Europe parcel post
World parcel post
units
UK
EEC 1
EEC 2
non EC
units
zone 10
zone 11
zone 12
1-5
£5.70
£24.00
£25.50
£21.50
1-5
£21.00
£26.50
£27.00
6-12
£6.90
£26.50
£28.50
£24.00
6-12
£25.50
£31.00
£32.50
13-19
£8.20
£29.00
£31.50
£26.50
13-19
£30.00
£36.00
£38.00
20-28
£9.00
£31.00
£34.50
£29.00
20-28
£34.50
£40.50
£43.50
29-35
£12.00
£33.00
£35.50
£310.50
29-35
£38.50
£45.00
£49.00
36+
enquire for details
36+
enquire for details
Parcel post regions
EEC 2: Austria, Finland, Sweden, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, etc.
Parcel post regions
Zone 11: Australia, New Zealand, Far East (China, Japan, South Korea, etc.).
Zone 12: Africa, South America, Middle East, etc.
Alternatives
Invoices & reserving
VAT
£ Postal Orders: Do not cross them! Banks charge a high clearance fee. For added security, make postal orders payable to "Steven Freeman".
Credit Cards: Almost any Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, JCB. Minimum order £5.00.
Important: Only usable after completion of our Customer Registration Form.
Debit Cards: Visa Delta, Visa Debit, Connect, Switch. Minimum order £10.00.
Important: Only usable after completion of our Customer Registration Form.
Bank transfer: Request details if you wish to transfer to our account.
UK currency: Cash sent by mail is risky. Ultima Thule will not be liable for any losses.
Foreign currency: Add £6 or $10 for fluctuations/costs. Registration is essential.
Foreign cheques: These can cost £12+ in bank fees and weeks to clear. Discounts do not apply to P&P, services, magazines, books, or accessories.
UK special discounts...
payment by Credit Cards...
£200+ = free parcel post (or £5 off registered), £500+ & 2% discount.
payment by cash, cheques, debit cards, uncrossed postal-orders...
£100+ = free insured parcel post (or £5 off registered), £500+ & 4% discount,
£1000+ free parcel post and 8% discount.
Export special discounts...
payment by Credit Cards...
£200+ = 2% discount, £500+ = 4% discount.
payment by cash, £ cheques/etc...
£100+ = 2% discount, £500+ = 6% discount, £1000+ = 10%.
Packing: We take care in our packaging! In fact, Steve is regularly commended for it. Records are packed in cartons tightly (to avoid movement) with extra bubble-wrap inside. Smaller items (such as CD's and cassettes) are usually wrapped in corrugated card and mailed in neat Jiffy bags.
Recorded delivery: Advisable, if you want to make sure the goods are signed for. Essential for deliveries to blocks of flats or to businesses, to make sure the item gets to the right person!
Insurance: The Post Office only has limited liability for loss or damage, thus we recommend insurance on orders over £25! Items very rarely go missing, but it's often better to be safe than sorry. Parcel rate prices include insurance in the P&P charge quoted.
Insurance cover: This varies for different countries. If no instructions are given, we'll use our discretion and charge accordingly. But note, as parcel insurance is limited per parcel (only up to £250 in some places), orders over any such threshold will usually be split into smaller packages.
Customs Declarations: To deduct tax, we need to keep records and fill customs forms correctly. Documentation must tally with our accounts. Low value declaration is illegal. False declarations can result in Customs fines. We cannot fully insure, or claim compensation on lost or damaged items incorrectly valued! A tip: Packets under $50 (approx. £33 inc. P&P) are exempt from import duty in some countries, and you are less-likely to be clobbered. The disadvantage is that postal costs per item may be higher.
Part-exchange: If you wish to send us records or CD's in part-exchange against goods, please observe the following. 1) Before you send us any goods, always send us an email or letter with the list of goods you are wishing to dispose of. 2) We usually only take "ex" or better condition goods. Condition grades can be useful, else any offers are based on m/m product. 3) Await our offers before deciding to send anything. Note that all offers are subject to inspection and condition grading, and offers will be adjusted accordingly.
We use a standard rate of offering half of what we sell an item for in exchange value. That is, if we sell a record for 6GBP you get 3GBP credit to use against an order. This is the same deal for if a person brings the records into the shop personally, or if they send them to us. The exchange value you get from us is treated as a cash sale amount as with any other payment method. We cannot give any other allowances. P&P is charged the same as with any other method of purchase. Customers abroad may find that postal costs your end may make such transactions impractical.
We do not normally pay cash for second-hand goods, except to customers visiting the shop, and UK clients that specifically request a cash payment. Any such cash offer will be a third less than the exchange offer. Quality: Second-hand items are visually checked & tested for accurate grading. If you are finicky avoid items "vg+" or less. We try not to sell cassettes with defects, or CD's that won't play correctly!
Faulty Goods: Not all things that seem faulty are so. Check CD's on a different player! If you are sure an item is faulty, tell us. We will, however, usually need the return of faulty goods.
Postal Damage: We take great care packaging, but cannot guarantee against wear to covers, or damage to CD cases. If anything arrives damaged, keep all packaging and make a claim. Do not return goods until you have checked with us first! Generally, we recommend you add insurance.
Non-delivery: Check your local sorting office (or neighbour) first! Wait 1 week (1 month abroad). UK Parcelforce can take 10 days. If enquiring, tell us: the date of the order, what you ordered, etc.
100%
75%
70%
65%
60%
55%
52.5%
50%
new
m/m
m/ex+
m/ex
ex+/m
m/vg
ex+/ex+
m/g+
ex+/ex
ex/m
m/g
ex+/vg+
m/f
ex+/vg
ex/ex+
£9.00
£6.50
£6.00
£5.50
£5.00
£5.00
£4.50
£4.50
£10.00
£7.50
£7.00
£6.50
£6.00
£5.50
£5.00
£5.00
£11.00
£8.00
£7.50
£7.00
£6.50
£6.00
£5.50
£5.50
£12.00
£9.00
£8.00
£7.50
£7.00
£6.50
£6.00
£6.00
£13.00
£9.50
£9.00
£8.50
£7.50
£7.00
£6.50
£6.50
Products
CD - Compact Disc
CDM - Compact Disc Mini album
CDS - Compact Disc Single
CDR - Recorded Compact Disc
CD-Rom - CD +PC Rom data files
CD+ - CD +PC/Mac data files
DVD - Digital Video/Versatile Disc
EP - Extended Play 7"33 / 12"45
LP - Long Play record 12" / 10"
MLP - Mini LP 12" / 10"
MC - Music Cassette
VHS - Video VHS Cassette
Other infos
# - Item new to this list!
BK - Book, booklet, etc.
BT - Bonus Track(s) included, i.e. 2xBT
CC - Card cover (often a mini LP style gatefold)
DP - DigiPak cover (plastic tray glued to card sleeve)
GF - Gate-Fold cover
IN - Insert/inner sleeve included
MAG - Magazine
PO - Poster included
PS - Picture Sleeve
RE - Reissue
Music product
m - mint: a perfect, "as new" item, with no notable defects.
ex - excellent: minor flaws, slight wear, some defects.
vg - very good: a record that has obvious visible flaws,
minor noise or clicks, etc. Good for all but quiet musics.
g - good: a record that plays okay, but will have notable crackle or distortion. Some old loud records will be okay.
f - fair: or fu#*ed, will play with considerable noise and crackle. Not really recommended at all!
b - bad condition, may not play properly!
+ - i.e. ex+ means better than ex, but not m.
Covers & Inserts
m - mint: should be perfect, "as new", with no real defects.
ex - excellent: will show signs of being handled, and be obviously second-hand.
vg - very good: liable to have minor damage and wear, etc.
g - good: will be a bit tatty!
f - fair: may be just about holding together!
b - bad: hardly there at all!
co - cut-out: slotted/punched, usually US import deletion/promo.
nc - no cover.
i.e. ASH RA TEMPEL - JOIN INN (Ohr: GF) LP vg/vg £25.00 - (Spalax) CD £13.00 - etc.
Meaning: ARTIST - TITLE (label: info) FORMAT record/cover £price - etc.
New items:
No grade = new item! i.e. the Ohr LP above is second-hand, the CD is new.Second-hand grades: "m/ex" = "mint record / excellent cover". i.e. "m/vg/ex" is condition of each item in a set, & "ex" cover. i.e. "g-m/m" is a variable grade, only good in parts, with an "m" cover.
