Frequently Asked Question
Q: Where does the name “Vibrolo” come from?
A: “Vibrolo” is an old slang term that combines the words “vibrato” and “tremolo.” It was used to describe vibrato tailpieces but has not been common for decades. We gave our platform this name as a fun nod to the past.
Q: Where are you located?
A: Bellingham, WA
Q: What kind of items can I sell on Vibrolo?
A: Vibrolo is a platform for independent makers of all kinds of musical instruments, pro audio, and accessories. That includes guitars, basses, synthesizers, banjos, mandolins, violins, woodwinds, microphones, preamps, compressors, studio furniture, acoustic treatment, picks, straps, pickups, cables, and more. Whatever you make, if it is related to the creation of music, you can sell it here.
Q: What qualifies as independent equipment?
A: This platform is intended for small manufacturers of musical equipment and accessories. This includes all small businesses and individuals who design and make their own equipment and who are not represented by major retailers.
Q: I am a reseller or dealer; can I list products on Vibrolo?
A: No, we do not accept listings from resellers or dealers. We only take listings from makers of musical equipment and accessories.
Q: Can I sell used items on Vibrolo?
A: No, we do not accept listings for used items.
Q: Can I list products on Vibrolo that I also sell on my personal website or other marketplace platform?
A: Yes, you can list products here that you sell on other platforms. But items that are available for sale on other websites should not be listed with the “Vibrolo Exclusive” special attribute.
Q: Can I sell contract-manufactured equipment on Vibrolo?
A: Yes, we do allow new contract-manufactured equipment on our platform if it comes from an independent company. But you should make customers aware of this in the item description. Contract-manufactured or “private label” items should never be listed with the “handmade item” special attribute.
Q: Why do listings have to be approved?
A: We approve listings before posting primarily to make sure they are categorized correctly and have clear photographs to ensure the best customer experience. We also do this to prevent used gear, and equipment sold by resellers, from being listed on our platform.
Q: Why are makers required to fill out banking information to post listings?
A: We need your banking information so we can pay you when your item sells. We do not store any of this information, it is handled by our payment processor.
Q: What qualifies as “Made in USA?”
A: The “Made in USA” special attribute is self-identified by makers. Some products are completely made in the United States from raw materials, while others are assembled in America using globally sourced components. The decision to list a product as “Made in the USA” or not is at the digression of the maker, but we encourage all makers to share the process for creating their equipment in the description section of the listing. If you have questions regarding where a product is made, you should contact the maker for further clarification before purchasing.
Q: What qualifies as a “Handmade Item?”
A: The “Handmade Item” special attribute is self-identified by makers. Products listed as handmade should be crafted by individual artisans without using any kind of automated process. Products that are contract-manufactured should never be listed as handmade. However, we cannot independently verify the “Handmade Item” classification on every listing. This is up to the digression of the maker, but we encourage all makers to share the process for creating their equipment in the description section of the listing. If you have any questions you have regarding how a product is made, you should contact the maker for further clarification before purchasing.
Q: What qualifies as “Vibrolo Exclusive?”
A: The “Vibrolo Exclusive” special attribute is intended to be used for items that are only sold on the vibrolo.com website. If your product is available elsewhere, you should not select this special attribute.
Q: How are your commission and fees calculated?
A: Our commission is 4.95% of every sale, which is subtracted from the payout to makers. There is an additional 3.95% payment processing fee that is added to the customer’s total at checkout.
Q: Are makers charged a fee to list their products?
A: No, makers will never be charged a fee to list their products.
Q: Do you have secure payment processing?
A: Yes, our payments are fully secure and are handled by a third-party processor. We do not store any of your payment information.
Q: How do payouts to makers work?
A: Payouts to makers are handled by our payment processor. They happen after a transaction is marked as received by the customer, or automatically 14 days after the maker has marked the transaction as complete. Payouts to makers may take 7-10 days to reach the maker’s account after the payout has been triggered.
Q: Do you take returns?
A: No, we are not a retailer and we do not stock any products, so we cannot take returns. All sales on this platform are final. If there is a problem with your order, please see the answer to “How can I cancel my order?”
Q: How can I cancel my order?
A: If there is a problem with your order you should first communicate with the maker to try to resolve the issue. If this does not solve the problem, you should mark the transaction as disputed so that we can get involved. All transactions are finalized once the customer has marked the transaction as completed, or automatically 14 days after the maker has marked the transaction as complete. We have no ability to cancel a transaction after it has been finalized. Any issues with shipping or lost packages should be taken up with the package carrier. We cannot accommodate partial refunds.
Q: How should makers determine shipping costs?
A: Makers should check with their package carrier to determine the cost to ship their item. Please remember that all packages need to be insured for the value of the product.
Q: Do I need to insure packages?
A: Yes, all packages must be insured for the value of the item. It is the maker’s responsibility to do this.
Q: How do I track my package?
A: Currently we don’t have package tracking integrated into our platform, however we plan to add this feature in the future. If you would like to track your package, you should contact the maker and ask for the tracking number.
Q: Do you have 3PL integration?
A: No, currently we do not have third party logistics integration, however we may add this feature in the future.
Q: My question was not answered here, how can I contact you?
A: Please contact us by email at: contact@vibrolo.com