At Paladin Vinyl, curating pre-orders is all about balance, relationships, and an ear for what's next in the music world. We start by building relationships with labels we trust—those known for consistent quality and a deep focus on their niche. These connections allow us to offer our customers something extra. For instance, when we carried the last 49 Winchester album, we partnered with New West Records to include signed copies, flags, and stickers—going beyond just selling the music.
Customer feedback is just as important to us. Sometimes we discover new artists through direct requests, and we’re always open to bringing in what our customers are looking for. If you’re on the hunt for something specific, let us know, and we’ll track it down. Whether it's a trending new artist or that rare 90's hip hop reissue, your input helps shape our selection and keeps our catalog fresh.
We primarily focus on vinyl for our pre-orders, but every once in a while, something special catches our eye. It could be an interesting box set or a limited-edition cassette that stands out. While vinyl remains our core, we love to offer those unique, collectible releases when we know they’ll excite our customers.
When it comes to genres, we don’t limit ourselves. We love showcasing indie artists and uncovering emerging talent, but we also make space for the classics. That could be a highly anticipated jazz reissue or a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be rediscovered. Our pre-orders typically run for 60-90 days, though some store exclusives can be planned up to six months in advance.
Our pre-orders aren't always exclusive, but we often work with niche distributors like Mondo or Waxwork to offer records you won’t find everywhere. We’re proud to bring in rare or small-pressing releases that stand out from the mainstream. Most of our pre-orders are offered below MSRP, and if we can’t offer a good deal, we usually hold off.
We believe in keeping our customers in the loop. If there’s a delay or any changes, we make sure to communicate through personal emails or announcements here on the blog. Transparency is key to our process, and it’s something we’re proud to maintain.
At the end of the day, curating pre-orders at Paladin Vinyl is about providing something special—something you won’t find everywhere else. We work closely with our distributors to ensure availability and cut off pre-orders when demand is too high to guarantee stock. This way, we can deliver on our promises and keep the experience smooth for our customers.
Stay tuned for the next exciting release, because we’re always curating with you in mind.
