INSTRUMENT TRADE-IN POLICIES
It’s natural for tastes to change or to want to upgrade your instrument. We are always happy to see our instruments come back to us and try to make stepping up as easy as possible! Trades are welcome and we offer a generous program that allows you to apply most of a previous purchase to an upgrade. There are a few rules, which we detail below. Note that returns for store credit or refund are subject to our returns policy which is detailed In the link at the bottom of every page of our website: “Returns Policy”
In short, if you have an instrument purchased from us, we will give 100% of the original purchase price you paid towards an instrument of equal or greater value, less a refurbishment fee. Specifically:
The trade must be for an instrument of greater value.
The instrument intended for trade has been reasonably well-maintained and is free from significant damage. If a trade is damaged, the refurbishment fee will be higher and/or we may opt not to accept the trade (this determination is at the sole discretion of Vermont Violins).
The customer trading the instrument is the original purchaser and provides receipts from the original sale or we can identify the sale in our computer system.
The trade-in value of your instrument is based solely on the purchase price of the instrument itself, excluding cases and bows. Value appreciation is not considered in assesing trade value.
Trades must be for like-instruments and only for instruments. Trades are not general “shop credit.” Violins may be traded for violins, celli for celli, etc.
Bows, Harps, and Electric instruments are not included in the general trade-in policy.
A standard refurbishment fee is assigned to cover basic repairs and adjustments. This fee will include coverage of Bridges, strings, fingerboard wear, peg wear, light scratches, open seams. The fees are currently: Violin $250, Viola $300, Cello $350, Bass $400.
For further details or inquiries, we encourage you to contact our store. This policy will be effective starting July 1, 2024. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to assisting you with any needs you may have.
Please note: The trade-in instrument is expected to be returned to the store at the time of purchasing your new instrument. For mail-order clients, you will have two weeks to return the trade-in instrument to our store. Failure to return the trade-in instrument within this timeframe will result in a charge to your credit card for the value of the trade-in instrument. If additional damage or depreciation is identified upon receiving the trade-in instrument, relevant charges will be applied to your credit card or account accordingly. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our store.
Trade-in Policy for Child-Size Instruments
Children typically change instrument size approximately every one-two years. When trading your fractional (1/16 — 3/4, 7/8 is considered full-size) violin or viola towards the next size, a reconditioning fee of Violin: $100, Viola: $150, Cello: $200, Bass: $250 will be applied if the trade occurs within 12 months of the final rental payment or purchase of the trade. This fee covers costs associated with restoring trade-in instruments to a saleable condition. And additional fees may be assessed for damage beyond what is normally covered by the reconditioning fee. After 12 months, the general Trade-in policy and fee structure will apply. Shipping charges are not waived for cost of sending instruments subject to exchange.
Trade-in Policy for Bows:
The minimum value of a trade-in bow is $500. Lower priced bows may not be traded. Additionally, only pernambuco wood bows may be traded.
For bows less than $800, a minimum Refurbishment Fee of $250 will be applied. This covers basic adjustments including: hair replacement, grips, screws and eyelets. Cracked tip plates, cracked frogs, warping, or other repairs will be charged accordingly and may make the bow ineligible for trade.
Bows between $800 and $3000 may be traded at 70% of the purchase price, with additional deductions for condition issues beyond standard reconditioning (as determined by Vermont Violins at its sole discretion).
Bows with a value higher than $3000 can be taken in trade at 100% of the purchase price, less a reconditioning fee. Any certificate (other than the Vermont Violins appraisal) sold with a bow must also be returned to receive full trade-in value; otherwise, the cost of replacing the certificate will be deducted.
The trade must be for a bow of greater value.
Other general terms apply:
The customer trading the instrument is the original purchaser and provides receipts from the original sale or we can identify the sale in our computer system.
Trades may only be made towards purchases of greater value than the trade.
The trade-in value of your instrument is based solely on the purchase price of the bow itself, excluding the bow and cases. Value appreciation is not considered in assessing trade value.