The Potter Violin Company strives to make your interaction with the string world a positive and inspiring one. We hope that the lives we touch will retain a lasting memory of the nobler aspects of human experience. To that end, we have developed company policies which both protect your investment and also maintain a commercial framework that serves our mutual interests. As our customer, you have a right to expect the best. Our goal is to offer you the finest instruments at the most reasonable prices. We are dedicated to providing the most courteous and informative service, and prompt and hassle-free resolutions to any situations which may occur as a result of your use of your instruments and bows.

Electronic Instrument Sales Policy
All electronic instruments and accessories have a three week return policy from the date of purchase. The items must be in resalable condition and in original packaging. A restocking fee of 15% may apply. Although The Potter Violin Company does not warranty electronic instruments and accessories, many of the products will have manufacturer’s warranties. The Potter Violin Company does not take electronic products in trade.

The Potter Violin Company will not share, sell or otherwise transmit or divulge the personal information of our clients to any persons, institutions or organizations without the express, direct and unambiguous consent of those clients. We will take all reasonable and appropriate actions to protect the sensitive financial and personal information that you share with us as a consequence of our commercial relationship. We are honored that you have chosen to place your trust in The Potter Violin Company and we will do everything we can to demonstrate that your confidence in us is justified.

Potter’s Warranty

The Potter Violin Company guarantees that any instrument sold by us will be free from defects in materials & craftsmanship. Instruments which have been repaired or reconditioned carry a five-year warranty for the work which was done by The Potter Violin Company. Limitations apply to issues of basic maintenance and normal usage. Potter’s Violins maintains a 100% guarantee of authenticity on all of our instruments.

Instrument Trials…

It is easy to try instruments simply by calling us and arranging a shipment. Instruments under $ 3,000 must be paid for in full when they are shipped. These instruments can be returned within 21 days for a full refund. After this period, our normal trade in policy would apply. Instruments over $ 3,000 can be sent on a one week trial contract. You will have one week to decide either to purchase the instrument or return it to us.

Multiple trials for instruments under $ 3000 generally require that one of the instruments
be paid for in advance while awaiting final approval. The second instrument should be returned after the first week. The approval period for the preferred instrument can then be extended for a total of up to three weeks.

It is important for you to remember that you assume full responsibility for the condition of instruments until they are returned to Potter’s Violins. If instruments are damaged in return shipping, you agree to pay for the costs of repairs, including depreciation in value of the damaged instrument so it very important that you purchase insurance coverage and use only our recommended shippers (UPS or FEDEX). Please examine any goods shipped by us to be sure you have received them in good condition. Please notify us immediately if you suspect that they have suffered any damage en route to you.

Shipping Policy – Instrument or Bow Purchase

Potters will send instruments and bows out on trial for a period of one week. There is an upfront nominal shipping charge for each trial shipment as outlined below. If you decide to purchase one of the items that you received on trial we will apply the upfront shipping charge toward the purchase price. Only one shipping charge can be applied to a purchase. Return shipping and insurance for trial or purchased items is the responsibility of the customer. Please call our shipping department at 800-317-9452 or contact us if you have questions.

Trial Shipping Charges

Shipping Policy – Rental Instruments

Trade-in policy for full-sized instruments:

We will accept any one instrument in trade at the original sales price* minus a reconditioning fee if the instrument was originally purchased from The Potter Violin Company provided that:

1 - The trade is of similar instruments (i.e. violin to violin).
2 - The trade is for another instrument of greater value.
3 - The trade instrument has been reasonably well-maintained and has not suffered any significant damage.
4 - Receipts from the original sale are provided by the customer.
5 - We cannot guarantee trade-in value towards the purchase of consignment instruments.

*Please note that the trade-in value of your instrument is based on the purchase price of the instrument alone excluding cases and bows.

Instruments will incur reconditioning fees in order to bring them up to our standards for resale and warranty. If your trade is in excellent condition you can expect the following reconditioning fees: Violin $200.00, Viola $250.00, Cello $300.00, Bass $350.00. Any exceptions to these policies are at the sole discretion of The Potter Violin Company.

Please note that: The Trade-in instrument is due back to the store at the time of purchasing your new instrument. If you are a mail order client, you will have two weeks to return the trade-in instrument to our store. If we do not receive the trade-in instrument within two weeks, we will charge your credit card for the value of the trade-in instrument and will assume you are keeping it. If at the time we receive your trade-in instrument, and additional damage or depreciation is assessed, we will charge your credit card or account accordingly. Please contact the store if you have further concerns about this policy.

Trade-in policy for fractional-sized Violins & Violas:

A child usually changes instrument size about every two years. When you trade your fractional (1/8 through 3/4) violin or viola toward the next size, you can expect a $ 200 depreciation from your original instrument purchase price. This amount includes costs associated with restoring trade-in instruments to saleable condition. For example, if you paid $ 850 for your fractional Doetsch violin and you took good care of it (no cracks or scratches, etc.) you could expect to receive $ 650 as your trade-in allowance towards your next instrument. Cases and bows are purchased separately and do not retain any trade-in value.

Viola Resizing: Trade-in exceptions:

If you are trading your viola (15" to 16 1/2") toward a more expensive viola, see the full-sized instrument policy above. If you trade your viola (15" to 16 1/2") towards another adult-size viola of the same brand, there is a $ 400 flat fee (this charge is for instrument only - you keep your original case and bow).

Trading Fractional Cello Outfits:

When you trade your fractional (1/8 through 3/4) cello outfit toward the next size there will be $ 300 depreciation from your original instrument purchase price. For instance:
if you paid $ 2,000 for your fractional cello, you could expect $ 1,700 as your trade-value allowance. Cases, bags and bows are purchased separately and do not retain trade-in value. Instruments which have been damaged or require maintenance or repairs would naturally incur a larger depreciation. A “soundpost crack” for instance, can cost up to $ 800.00 to repair, and those costs do not cover depreciation of the instrument.

7/8 to 4/4 Cello exchanges:

When trading back and forth between 7/8 and 4/4 size cellos of the same brand or price range, there is a $ 500 flat fee. This fee applies whether you are trading up or down in size and applies only to the instrument. In most instances, you would keep your same case and bow, thereby avoiding any additional costs associated with exchanging those items.

Consignments

We will be happy to help you sell your instruments or bows on consignment. As a rule, we will guarantee you a fixed price that will permit us the flexibility to allow for trade-ins on limited occasions and increases the pool of customers who will be able to purchase your instrument. While we cannot guarantee the length of time it will take to place a particular instrument; three to six months is the average. Of course, we experience more sales activity during different seasons of the year so your consignment may take more or less time to sell. Feel free to call us with your questions about consignment instruments.

Teacher’s Commissions

The Potter Violin Company does not pay undisclosed teacher’s commissions or referral fees under any circumstances. You should never have to ask yourself if your child’s teacher is offering you unbiased information regarding instrument purchases. For more discussion on this subject, please read “Choosing a String Shop” or visit the following links:

http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issues/strings102/ethics.html
http://www.stringsmagazine.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000009.html

 Late Payment Fees

Sadly, we all occasionally have times when there is more “month left at the end of the money” and we have put off paying some bills. While we would love to have an extended payment plan, our employees and suppliers are also on a budget. So when we need to borrow to cover a shortfall because you couldn’t pay our invoice, it costs us fees which would drive up the cost of instruments and curtail our donation programs. We feel that accounts which become delinquent should pay the small costs needed to cover their delayed payments. Thank you for understanding as we charge you 1.5% per month on outstanding balances over 90 days past due.