A deposit of 20% is requested on orders of all standard models. For instruments requiring a considerable amount of custom work, a 50% deposit is requested. Deposit can be made by certified check, bank draft, personal check, or Visa & Mastercard. Payment of deposit initiates the chronological placement of the order. After deposit is made, no price increases are passed on to the customer. The approximate waiting time for ukuleles is 8-10 months. The approximate waiting time for a guitar is 14 – 24 months depending on model. The customer will be notified before shipping. The balance will be due C.O.D. upon completion.
The following is a copy of the agreement to be signed at the time of ordering.
(Click here to print copy)
ORDERING INFORMATION, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Thank you for your interest in Grimes Guitars. I take great pleasure in building a custom instrument to satisfy all the needs of the customer. And I take great pains in executing the design that we agree upon. Below are a few notes about the price, deposit refunds, and time of delivery.
At the time an order is placed, the current price of the instrument, including custom work, is the final price. Any increases in the prices of standard models after the date of order are not passed on to the customer. In other words, the price to the customer does not change after the deposit is made, unless additional features or customizations are requested by the customer. In the case of unavailability of a certain material or hardware, the alternative item may reflect a small change in price.
Upon initiation of an order, a twenty percent deposit is required if the instrument is a standard model with a small amount of custom work involved. In the case of a special order or highly customized standard model, a fifty percent deposit is required. This deposit initiates the order and places it in the chronological list for completion. In some cases, a time payment plan can be worked out if this is agreeable to both parties.
Although it rarely happens, occasionally a customer finds it necessary to cancel an order. I have found it helpful to structure a refund policy that attempts to cover for the various contingencies that could arise. Since it takes considerable time to consult with the customer and to process the order, a full refund, less a processing charge of $300, plus any credit card fees, will be made for a period of thirty days after receipt of deposit. After thirty days, and up until a period of 120 days from the date of deposit, the construction process has been started, and a refund of fifty percent of the deposit is made. After this date, the deposit is not refundable, as the guitar is well into the customizing process.
After delivery of the guitar, if the customer is not satisfied for any reason, the refund would consist of seventy five percent of the full price of the guitar. The customer must return the instrument in its original case, in new condition, within twenty one days. Shipping is to be paid by the customer. All refunds will be made within thirty days of receipt of the guitar.
Stated time of completion is an estimate. Occasionally I run a bit late, and sometimes a bit early on the approximated time of completion, but for the most part, the estimate is accurate. If for any reason I am incapacitated and the completion of the guitar is delayed by six months or more, the customer , at his request, will be refunded the entire deposit within thirty days of the request. Grimes guitars carry a limited lifetime warranty on workmanship and materials for the original owner and his/her descendants.
If you have any questions about this agreement, or wish to add something to it, please inquire.
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SHIPPING
As of 2012 I’ve shipped most of the 900+ instruments I’ve made by UPS or Federal Express. All instruments are packed with extra support inside the hard shell case, with the string tension slack. The case is well packed in an instrument shipping box. The guitar is shipped fully insured. Shipping cost is approximately $150. There are distinct advantages to building instruments in Hawaii: the climate on the leeward slopes is relatively dry, and most important it is more stable from winter to summer. The shop is maintained at 45% humidity year round. There have been no reports of climate related problems over the years..
