We stand by our products, and will exchange or return any item within 21 days, subject to the following terms and conditions:
Full-sized (Student level up to $4000):
We will accept any one full-sized instrument in trade* at the original sales price**, minus a reconditioning fee, if the instrument was originally purchased from Potter Violins provided that:
- The trade is for another instrument of greater value.
- The trade instrument has been reasonably well-maintained and has not suffered any significant damage.
- Receipts from the original sale are provided by the customer and that the customer trading the instrument is the original purchaser.***
*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 $250, Viola $300, Cello $350, Bass $400
For instruments valued above $4000, we will take back in trade at the original sales price less a reconditioning fee to be determined at the time of trade-in. Please call the store for more information. Policy effective July 1, 2013.
For all instruments purchased prior to July 1, 2013, the previous trade-in policy will remain in effect.
*While we will always try to accommodate every need we cannot guarantee the acceptance of trade on consignment instruments.
**Please note that the trade-in value of your instrument is based on the purchase price of the instrument only and excludes cases and/or bows.
***Trade-in values as outlined above are only valid if you are the original purchaser of the instrument from Potter Violins. Instruments purchased second hand but originally purchased from Potter Violins are still eligible for trade with slightly modified terms. Instruments purchased second hand will be traded at 1/2 the original trade-in value.
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 may expect the following reconditioning fees: Violin $250.00, Viola $300.00, Cello $350.00, Bass $400.00. Any exceptions to these policies are at the sole discretion of Potter Violins.
Please note: The Trade-in instrument is due back to the store at the time you purchase 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 the two-week time frame, we will charge your credit card for the value of the trade-in instrument and will assume that you are keeping it. If at the time we receive your trade-in instrument, any additional damage or depreciation is assessed, we will charge your credit card or account accordingly. Please contact the store if you have any questions.
Trade-in policy for Fractional-Size Violins & Violas:
A child usually changes instrument size approximately every two years. When you trade your fractional (1/8 through 3/4) violin or viola toward the next size, there will be a reconditioning fee of $250. 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 $600 as your trade-in allowance toward your next instrument. Instruments in need of further repair will incur repair charges. Cases and bows are purchased separately and do not retain any trade-in value.
Trade-in Policy for Bows:
All fractional Pernambuco violin bows (nickel level) will be given a $75 trade-in credit. All fractional Brazilwood cello bows will be credited $50, and fractional Pernambuco cello bows $100. This policy is for bows traded in with the instrument and in immediately re-saleable condition. The credited bow must not be warped, nor have a broken tip or worn grip. The customer will need to have those conditions corrected first before it is eligible for the credit. The credit will be applied after the bow has been received and evaluated by Potter Violins.*
This policy is for bows traded in with the instrument and in immediately re-saleable condition. The credited bow must not be warped, nor have a broken tip or worn grip. The customer will need to have those conditions corrected before the bow is eligible for the credit. The credit will be applied after the bow has been received and evaluated by Potter Violins.*
All full-size nickel-mounted Pernambuco bows will be given $100 for violin, $125 for viola, and $150 for cello. This policy is for bows traded in with the instrument and in immediately re-salable condition.
The credited bow must not be warped, nor have a broken tip or worn grip. The customer will need to have those conditions corrected first before it is eligible for the credit. The credit will be applied after the bow has been received and evaluated by Potter Violins.*
All silver-mounted bows up to $3000 in value can be taken in trade at 70% of the purchase price toward a bow of higher value. Antique bows with a value higher than $3000 can be taken in trade at 100% of the purchase price, less a reconditioning fee. (Flat rate of $75 for rehair and clean up; all other reconditioning would be assessed at the time of trade-in). Any certificate (other than the Potter 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 policy does not include rental bows.
Viola Resizing: Trade-in Exception:
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″) toward another adult-size viola of the same brand, there is a $400 flat fee. (This charge is for the 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 a $300 depreciation from your original instrument purchase price.
For example: If you paid $2,000 for your fractional cello, you could expect to receive $1,700 as your trade-value allowance. Cases, bags and bows are purchased separately and do not retain trade-in value. Instruments that have been damaged or that require maintenance or repairs would naturally incur a higher depreciation amount. A “soundpost crack,” for instance, can cost up to $800.00 to repair, and those costs do not cover depreciation of the instrument.
Please refer to our maintenance guide to learn how to take care of your instrument to reduce the likelihood of unexpected repair charges.
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 the same case and bow, thereby avoiding any additional costs associated with exchanging those items.