SHIPPING POLICY

 

Shopping from afar?  We regularly ship instruments for trial and sale throughout the United States.  For higher-end instruments, we offer a no-risk purchase option with 30-day trial guarantee, though for best results we recommend scheduling an in-person shopping trip.  Currently, Atlanta Violins ships to all 50 U.S. states* (we do not ship internationally). We ship using FedEx and UPS for larger packages and include USPS as a shipping method for some smaller items.

Online orders will be processed and shipped pending credit card authorization. When you place an order, Atlanta Violins may pre-authorize your credit card to ensure the funds are available. Depending on your card issuer, the pre-authorization may appear as if you have been charged. With some institutions' cards, the funds become unavailable, but the account is not debited until the order ships. If the order is canceled for any reason, the time it takes for the hold to release depends on the issuer of the card.

All deliveries are pending credit approval, merchandise availability, and delivery/weather conditions.

Standard shipping via FedEx Ground/Home Delivery, UPS Ground, or USPS takes 2 - 10 business days (depending on distance and service availability)

• Your order should arrive within 2 to 10 business days after it ships.

• Tracking information (if applicable) will be sent to you via email when package is tendered to carrier.

• Instruments and bows will not be shipped at the end of the week to prevent warehousing in facilities without climate control.  Temperature-sensitive items will also not be shipped during periods of extreme heat or cold.  Processed orders may be held for shipping at the earliest appropriate date, as determined by Atlanta Violins.

 

*Shipping within the state of Georgia will be limited to addresses further than 10 miles from Atlanta Violins’ business address.  Curbside pickup is available for local customers who prefer contact-free shopping.

 

 

PACKING & SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

 

Shipping your bow or instrument to our shop is easier than you might think!  We have found FedEx and UPS both very reasonable and easy to use.  You can print out your shipping label online - go to www.fedex.com or www.ups.com and start from there.  The first time, you will have to set up an account, but after that, just go to "create a shipment" and follow directions from there (we recommend ground service).  For return shipping, we charge you the shipping amount as part of your total bill.  Please let us know if you require extra insurance.

We will generally be able to return ship your bow the week after we receive it, if it only needs a rehair.  The same turnaround time applies to most maintenance-level instrument repairs.  Generally, there is one-day ground service to/from Alabama, South Carolina and parts of North Carolina and Tennessee.  Points farther will probably take two days or more.  Remember that we are closed Sunday and Monday, and that many carriers do not deliver ground shipments on weekends.  It is best to arrange your shipping so that we receive the item(s) in time to turn it around quickly - if we receive something on Friday it will not be worked on until at least the next Tuesday.  Please call ahead to discuss your repair needs, so that we can be sure to schedule the work when we can turn it around promptly.

People are often a bit nervous about sending a valuable bow or instrument - if you check with FedEx/UPS, you will see that insurance is not generally too expensive.  We ship regularly with both carriers and have virtually no problems as long as they are packed correctly.

If you do not have a reliable repair or rehair person in your area specializing in violin-family instruments, please consider our services!

 

Shipping an Instrument

• Secure your instrument fully inside its case, making sure that it doesn’t move around freely.  Use soft padding material if you need to fill any gaps between the instrument and the case to keep it secure.

• Select a sturdy box that leaves at least 3-4 inches on all sides for packing materials

• Line the bottom of the box with a good layer of appropriate packing material (packing peanuts, thick bubble wrap, sealed-air shipping cushioning strips, etc.)

• Place your case on this layer of padding, then fill all the remaining space (all sides, corners, and top) with additional packing materials.

• Make sure the packing materials won’t settle and leave room for the instrument to move around in the box.

• Seal the box securely along all seams with strong packing tape.  We recommend at least 2 strips across the middle area of the box (perpendicular to the seam) to help keep things sealed.

• Affix your paid shipping label in a clear spot away from edges/seams

• Cover the label completely with clear packing tape to protect it from water damage.

• Mark the package “FRAGILE’ in multiple noticeable locations

• Drop off your prepared package at any UPS or FedEx location (as appropriate, or use a participating mailing store)

• For return shipping, we charge you the shipping amount as part of your total bill. Please let us know if you require extra insurance.

 

Shipping a Bow

If you have a bow case: simply acquire a triangular shipping box from UPS or FedEx, and be sure to pad around the case so that it does not rattle around.

 If you do not have a bow case: the easiest thing we have found is a 3" PVC pipe section about 36" long with end caps. Once you have this tube, wrap the bow well so that it does not rattle (some bubble wrap or wadded newspaper helps greatly), pack the ends of the tube, and tape the ends shut. DO NOT use the cardboard mailing tubes that are available - they can easily bend and damage your bow.

• Affix your paid shipping label in a clear spot away from edges/seams, making sure the barcode runs along the length of the tube, not around it.

• Cover the label completely with clear packing tape to protect it from water damage.

• Mark the package “FRAGILE’ in multiple noticeable locations

• Drop off your prepared package at any UPS or FedEx location (as appropriate, or use a participating mailing store)

• For return shipping, we charge you the shipping amount as part of your total bill. Please let us know if you require extra insurance.

 

Loading...