DO YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR WHEN YOU RENT AN INSTRUMENT?

In one of the other articles on this site, we talked about the idea of renting an instrument from a local store vs. buying an inexpensive instrument online.  This time, we will focus more on that rental instrument, what to look for, and how to know you are getting your money's worth.

So, let's say you are a parent, your child has signed up for band, you went to “parent night” or whatever they called it, rented an instrument, and now your child's new or used instrument is home from school for the first time and sitting in your lap.  You were never in band, and it looks pretty complicated to you. 

How on earth are you going to know if the quality is good?

If I could give new band parents any one piece of advice, and only one, it would be this:  SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR PRIVATE LESSONS!!!  If your child is taking private lessons, the first thing that will happen at your child's first lesson is that the private teacher is going to look over the instrument for any problems.  They can tell you right off if there is an adjustment problem with the instrument.

Many times, especially with the bigger chain stores, new instruments are delivered to schools right out of the box.  You will be lucky if you are dealing with a store that has taken the factory packing off of your new instrument.  Any repair tech can tell you that many of these instruments don't play well from the factory.  Most have adjustment problems, even the best brands.

The stores who are most interested in good customer service (LIKE US) will have a repair tech go over every instrument that is sent out.  A beginning band student does not need an instrument that doesn't play right.  Period.  They are already going to have enough of a challenge learning to play a good instrument.  Don't make it harder for them.

If you rented a used instrument, it should look as good as possible.  If you look at the instrument, and there are fingerprints all over it, the case needs to be vacuumed, or some other such obvious nonsense, there may be a problem.  Brass instruments should be free of dents, at least in the accessible places, but a few scratches in the lacquer are fine.  Let your private teacher give you an opinion about it.  Or, let a repair tech from another store give you an opinion on it.  Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. 

Woodwind instruments are especially prone to be delivered with adjustment problems.  You might check out our web page on "Are You Getting Quality Repairs?"  if you would like more information on the subject.

If you still have a copy of your contract (highly recommended!), you should get it out and compare the brand of instrument listed on your contract with the brand stamped or engraved on your instrument.  Many times, the large stores will substitute another brand or model without letting you know.  Make sure you are getting what you paid for. 

Also, while you have your contract out, make sure it is a RENTAL-PURCHASE, so that you don't get any nasty little surprises 24 months from now.  Like that you have only been paying rent all this time. 

Also, make sure that any extra items that you paid for are there.  Things like instruction books, mouthpieces, oil, cleaning swabs, are often overlooked.  Most music stores who rent beginning instruments often send out hundreds of them per day during the busy time of August and September.  It is really easy to leave something out.  The store will probably be happy to make things right.  They want both you and your child's band director to be happy.

You may be thinking, “Doesn't my child's director know this stuff?  Why don't they just take care of all of this for me?” 

Well, picture this.  You are a band director on the first day of school standing in front of your new beginning band class.  You look out, and before you sit 40-60 sixth graders, each one with an expensive band instrument under their chair, each one squirming with anticipation, each one wanting more than anything to get that instrument out of the case and mess with it.  You know that your class period is only 45 minutes long.  Do you think you will be able to keep everything calm while you check over each instrument?  Your director will be working miracles if everyone gets through the first class without anything getting dented or scratched!  And, wonder of wonders, most band directors really do accomplish this amazing feat!

The sad truth is, most directors are just not going to have time to check over each individual instrument.  The 30 minutes per week that you will pay for private lessons will come in handy for you many, many times.  This doesn't mean that your child's director doesn't care.  They do.  Their success depends on your child's success.  But there is only so much time per day, and so many students with so many different instruments!

OK, HERE IS THE SALES PITCH PART:

Of course, anytime a second opinion is needed, on any new or used instrument, Johnny or Jeanan Paul would be happy to oblige.  There is never a charge for this service.  If repairs are necessary, we can do that, too.  Just visit us anytime! 

Thanks for reading!

Jeanan Paul