FAQ
General
Do you do custom pieces?
Got something in mind? We can work with you to build your ideal vinyl record storage credenza. Need CD storage? A different color stain? Check out our Customs page and our Instagram to see some of our past custom pieces. Send us a message, using the Contact Us form, with your ideas and we’ll work with you to make them come to life.
What is your current lead time for Design Your Own cabinets?
Current lead time is 10 weeks. Contact Us if you have any questions!
Don't want to wait? Check to see if we currently have Ready-to-Ship cabinets available.
Why is your lead time so long?
Each of our cabinets are handcrafted by our small team (of four!) in our wood shop in Chicago. This handmade, small batch process has a slower production timeline (which then results in a longer lead time), though it ensures that we pay close attention to each cabinet, making sure that each one is a high quality, well-crafted piece of furniture. We hope that the craftsmanship of our cabinets will sway potential customers our way, despite the longer lead times.
Don't want to wait? Check to see if we currently have Ready-to-Ship cabinets available.
How do I place an order?
All orders are placed through our website. If you are interested in having a custom piece made, please Contact Us or email us at hello@departmenthome.com
What payment methods do you accept?
Most major debit and credit cards are accepted. All acceptable payment methods are viewable at checkout.
Can you expedite my cabinet?
Depending on our shop’s production schedule, we may be able to work with you to expedite your cabinet for a small fee. Contact Us with your deadline!
I already placed my order. Can I change something?
Depending on where your cabinet is within our production schedule, we may be able to accommodate your request. Contact Us with your needs!
Can you provide in-process photos of my cabinet?
It is difficult for us to provide in-process photos of your cabinet, unless it’s a very custom cabinet.
If you’d like to see our building process, we post some behind-the-scenes videos on our Instagram (@DepartmentHome).
If you'd like to see something in particular, let us know and we'll get back to you!
Do you have a Trade Program?
Are you in the industry? Contact Us and inquire about our Trade Program for more information.
Shipping & Delivery
What shipping options do you offer?
Our smaller cabinets ship via UPS ground. Our larger cabinets ship via Blanket Wrap Service / home delivery.
Where do you ship?
We are not able to ship to international locations, U.S. territories, Alaska & Hawaii. We ship to all other states within the continental US.
How much is shipping?
We have flat rates* for shipping, which range from about $99-$600, depending on the type and size of your cabinet and your location**. Add a cabinet to the cart on our website to see your standard shipping rate.
*Please note that this does not include stairs; if your delivery has stairs, additional fees may apply. Custom cabinets and more remote locations may have an additional shipping fee.
**Custom cabinets and more remote locations may have an additional shipping fee.
What about shipping multiple cabinets?
Purchasing two or more cabinets? Contact Us directly for an accurate shipping quote!
I live in Chicago. Do you offer local pick-up?
Yes! If you are able to pick-up your cabinet directly from our shop located in Logan Square, Chicago, please select the Local Pick Up option when checking out. We will reach out to you directly to schedule a pick up appointment at our shop.
What is Blanket Wrap Shipping?
Blanket Wrap Shipping is the type of shipping service we use for our larger cabinets. Our BWS shipper makes deliveries all over the continental US, traveling round-trip about every 2-4 weeks. Deliveries generally take anywhere from 1-6 weeks, depending on the shipper’s schedule and your location.
Our Blanket Wrap Shippers deliver all over the country for us, making multiple deliveries per trip, so delivery may not be as quick nor direct as parcel mail or freight deliveries.
Please see our estimated delivery times below (these are our best estimates-- actual delivery time may be different). Please note that more remote locations (ex: Pacific Northwest, rural areas of any state, etc) can take longer than estimated.
- Midwest States: 1-2 weeks
- East Coast States: 2-3 weeks
- Southern States: 4-6 weeks
- North-Western/West Coast States: 4-6 weeks
With BWS, once your cabinet has been picked up by the shipper, your shipper will contact you to coordinate a delivery date/time that works for you. On the delivery day, the shipper* will bring your cabinet into your home and place it where you’d like. The shipper will unwrap the cabinet and install the legs, upon request.
*Unless otherwise requested, only one shipper will be making your delivery. If you require two shippers (for flights of stairs, etc), please let us know and we will adjust your shipping quote.
Do you provide tracking?
If your cabinet is shipped via UPS, yes- you will receive tracking information once your order has shipped.
If your cabinet ships with Blanket Wrap Shipping; there is no tracking provided with our BWS service. However, once your cabinet ships, you can always reach out to us or the shipper for shipment updates.
Does my cabinet arrive fully assembled?
Our cabinets will arrive fully assembled, minus the legs, via Blanket Wrap Service or UPS. If shipped with our Blanket Wrap Service, the carrier will bring your cabinet inside your home and attach the legs for you if you'd like! Otherwise, you are definitely free to attach the legs yourself as it is a very simple process and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
What if my cabinet arrives damaged?
We do everything we can to avoid damage during shipping. Although it is rare, it can happen.*
UPS: * If your item arrives damaged - if possible, do not accept the item(s). If you find damage once your item is unpacked please contact us immediately. Take detailed pictures of the damage and keep all of the packaging materials. This ensures that we are able to file an insurance claim and that the process goes smoothly. Failure to document and save any packaging materials will prohibit an insurance claim from proceeding and we will not be able to repair / replace the item(s) for you. You will be responsible for any return shipping or replacement costs.
BWS: * Upon delivery of the cabinet, while the shipper is still on-site, please inspect to ensure that no damages occurred during shipment. On the rare occasion that damage did occur, please document the damage, notify the shipper of the damage and contact us immediately.
Do you arrange COI?
Depending on the method of shipping, we may be able to offer COI*. If your building will require a COI at the time of delivery, Contact Us to see what’s possible.
*COI must be arrange in-advance, prior to shipment.
*Depending on the shipper/your building, there may be an additional fee for COI.
Can I return my cabinet for a refund?
No; we are a very small shop and cannot accept returns or issue refunds, especially for items already in production or items that have already shipped. Please be sure to read all information about the listed item. If you have any questions or hesitations, please ask us before placing your order. We will do everything we can to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase.
Your Perfect Cabinet
How do I choose my perfect cabinet?
There’s many things to consider when choosing your LP record storage cabinet- do you need component storage? If so, our Component cabinets might be just what you need. How many records do you need to store?
If you’re a serious collector, check out our larger cabinets. If you have something more custom in mind, view our Customs page, then Contact Us to see if we can make it happen! Still unsure? See our blog post on how to best choose a cabinet that works for you.
Do you do custom pieces?
Got something in mind? We can work with you to build your ideal vinyl record storage credenza. Need CD storage? A different color stain? Check out our Customs page and our Instagram to see some of our past custom pieces. Send us a message using the Contact Us form with your ideas and we’ll work with you to make them come to life.
Will my preamp/receiver/player fit?
Still have concerns about whether your equipment will fit inside one of our cabinets? Let us know which cabinet you’re interested in and your equipment’s measurements using the Contact Us form, and we’ll get back to you with audio cabinet dimensions that might work for you!
How many records can fit inside a cabinet?
Each cabinet has a different capacity for storing vinyl records. Our 1 x 1 cabinet is our smallest storage cabinet and can hold approximately 75 - 125 LPs. Our 2 x 3 cabinets hold the most records at about 450 -750 LPs. Click on each of our cabinets to see their storage capacity in the product dimensions or view our size collections below.
About Department
Where is your furniture made?
We do everything in-house. Your cabinet is handmade to order by Brandon, the owner, and his small team in Chicago, Illinois. Though this results in a slightly longer lead time, our small batch process ensures that each cabinet we produce receives our full attention and care. Our small team also means that we are able to work with you directly to create the record album storage furniture of your dreams!
What type of materials do you use?
Our cabinets are a mix of solid hardwood and real wood veneers. Cabinets with drawers feature dovetailed hard maple boxes with a solid wood front. Our cabinet cases are made using the highest quality FSC certified 15 ply Baltic Birch core with a thick A-1 grade real wood veneer. We prefer to use Baltic Birch core because of its structural cross-banding, which provides optimal stability and acoustic qualities. This allows us to offer a very stable, high quality cabinet at an affordable price. All of our finishes are environmentally friendly low VOC water paints and stains. View our Materials & Care page for more information.
Why is the lead time so long?
Each of our cabinets are handcrafted to order by our small team in our shop in Chicago. This handmade, small batch process has a slower production timeline (which then results in a longer lead time), though it ensures that we pay close attention to each cabinet, making sure that each one is a high quality, well-crafted piece of furniture. We hope that the craftsmanship of our cabinets will sway potential customers our way, despite the longer lead times. Some things in life are just worth waiting for!
Don't want to wait? Check to see if we currently have Ready-to-Ship cabinets available.
What makes Department different?
When you buy from Department, you’re buying directly from the designer and maker. We do everything in-house in our Chicago shop- from managing orders and taking product photos to building your dream cabinet. Our cabinets are all designed by Brandon, the owner, and our in-house craftsmen (including Brandon!) build your cabinet from the ground up. Have a question for us? We’ll be able to answer you directly- no middle-men involved.
Why shouldn’t I buy from a mass producer?
As a consumer, there are many dangers of online furniture shopping to consider. Often, mass produced furniture pieces lack the quality and durability that a customer may expect. What may look good in a highly polished ad or social media post may fall short upon closer inspection. Unlike these fast furniture pieces, Department Home cabinets are built to hold the weight of your beloved audio equipment and LP collection in mind. Plus, with larger companies, it may be more difficult to request custom-made items or to get a response from their customer support line. As small-batch production, our attention to detail and craftsmanship simply can’t be replicated by a large-scale producer. Plus, as a small business, our customer support isn’t outsourced- and all your questions and concerns will be answered directly by Brandon or a team member. We’ll be here to support you every step of the way.