Instrument Trials

How Our Trials Work - Accepted Forms of Payment - Exceptions & Boring Legal Stuff

The best way to know if a violin, bow or other instrument "fits" is to take it out on trial. We encourage this so our customers are thoroughly satisfied with both our instruments and our service.

Visit our Testimonials from many elated customers:
Our Trials - Our Service - Match-Making Players to Instruments

How Our Trials Work

1. First Step: Contact Us and We Sort Out the Details

Is there an instrument you are interested in trying out before buying? Contact us with the following details:

- Your location: This will help in determining shipping costs.

- The instrument/s: We can allow most of our instruments on trial with a few exceptions. Please indicate the instrument you are considering so we can clarify the availability.

- Special Requests or Considerations: String and fittings upgrades, case options and other requests should be discussed so the instrument is to your liking during the trial.

We are frequently told by our customers how easy we make the trial process: read testimonials here

2. Next Step: Down-Payment of 50%

We require down-payment for all loans and trials of instruments due to increasing fraud in online sales. It's not that we mistrust our customers; we just have to be cautious to protect the family-run business and continue to serve you.

The customer makes a down-payment of 50% the price for the instrument (including tax, if applicable) with the clear understanding that they will be refunded less shipping in the event the instrument does not meet their requirements. This is the "contract" between buyer and seller.

3. The Customer has a 14+ Day Trial

The instrument is packed and shipped as soon as payment (cheque, money order, paypal, wire transfer, etc) to Fiddleheads clears. Our customers are then granted at least 14 days* after receipt of the instrument to play before they can be returned to us for complete refund.

**Note the 14 day period is only a suggestion-- if you require more time you are most welcome to request extra time up-front or for an extension during the trial. We are happy to see you take the time needed to feel comfortable with the instrument/s.

Shipping

*The customer is responsible to pay shipping for trials (and return shipping should the item be returned). However, with some "free shipping" items, shipping costs are deducted from the purchase price upon purchase. We indicate on the site if free shipping is included. Some exceptions to the free shipping are consignment instruments, additional insurance, items discounted in email where free shipping is not included, and if the customer requested faster shipping than the usual methods.

Please keep the packing materials in which we sent the instrument/s in so that it/they may be returned safely. Typically return shipping costs about $15-$35 for violins (cellos $40-$150, bows $8-$20) depending on the instrument, type of service used and distance shipped.

In Western Canada we highly recommend using Greyhound Courier (bus) station-to-station as it is usually faster than postal or other couriers.

Accepted Forms of Payment

We accept cash, cheque (personal or business), money order, bank draft, paypal and credit cards via paypal's system. We reserve the right to refuse cheques or credit card payments.

Paypal, certified bank drafts and money orders are strongly encouraged as they do not require time to clear in the banking system and cannot be cashed by anyone other than Fiddleheads Violins.

Exceptions & Boring Legal Stuff

Damage & Loss

Damages to the instrument/s forfeit return of the deposit.

What constitutes damage is at our discretion, but please note we are very fair and honest in this regard and add this for our protection and to encourage careful handling of our instruments. A new high end violin with a scratch or ding cannot be sold for full price, so we ask that you are very careful with the instrument while it is in your care. Just use common sense: handle the violin with clean, dry hands and by the neck, keep it safe from the elements and other risks and store it in the case when not in use.

Instruments lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed during shipping and which were not insured by the customer are then the customer's loss. Such damage or loss rarely happens and has never happened to us (except one broken bow frog which we replaced ourselves), but then again we mention this in the event the worse does happen.

If the instrument/s are in the customer's possession for an exceptionally long time [for example 2 months without return], the contract may be cancelled and no refund can be granted. The customer is asked to then pay the remainder owing on the instrument in order to purchase it. We have not had to resort to these measures but we mention this "just in case."

Some Items Not Available for Trial

Trials are welcome on all in-stock instruments and some drop-ships from the supplier, all of which require a refundable deposit. Commissioned, custom instruments require a non-refundable 50% deposit for work to commence, the balance due upon completion of the instrument.

Additionally, we can only offer trials on instruments which we have in stock or very easy access to from their makers.

Instruments which we must special order in for our customers are not available for trial. This is because we cannot afford to keep all brands in all sizes in stock and keep our prices competitive. That said, we are happy to arrange a purchase of the instruments on our site even if we do not have them in stock.

Contact us if you have questions regarding special ordered instruments and sizes.

End of boring legal stuff.

Thank You!

We want to see all our customers completely thrilled with our service and to experience an enjoyable trial and purchase. Therefore we welcome your feedback and suggestions on our current trials policy. Thank you for your consideration and for allowing us the opportunity to let our instruments out on trial. We hope we serve you well.

- Rhiannon Schmitt, Owner & Professional Violinist, Fiddleheads Violins

Visit our Testimonials from many elated customers

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