Most of the time when a record "skips" it's because there is something stuck to the surface of the record that keeps the stylus from continuing its journey in the groove. If it doesn't skip, it might play but make a loud pop.
Turn off the motor and turn the platter by hand to figure out where the offending particle is. Usually it's a small piece of something white and easy to spot. Once you've located it, take a thin piece of lint free cloth and gently go back and forth with your fingernail through the cloth to see if you can remove it.
This works more often than not but may leave some scuffing marks on the surface of the vinyl.
I've tried sticking stuff (toothpicks and needles) in the grooves with a 100% failure rate.
If that fails, it's time to return the record.