Overview The rental programs at the Potter Violin Co. have been developed with the desires of the teaching community in mind. By working with teachers and music educators across the country,we have created rental programs with the highest standards available anywhere. Our programs are designed to complement and to enhance the educational experience of the growing music student. From the beginning,we establish the standards for maintenance and the quality of adjustments expected by the professional players and teachers who frequent our shop. The student learns how to care for the instrument as if he or she owns it, including changing the bow hair and the strings on a semi-annual basis (every six months). Maintaining a rental instrument, will cultivate the habits needed to own a high quality stringed instrument. We have put together three rental programs: “Economy”, “Standard” and “Premier.” All three have essentially the same requirements and benefits, however the instrument quality and rental rates increase with “Standard” and “Premier” which are aimed for the advancing student, or those who prefer superior instruments. All instruments are set up to the same exacting standards for ease of play and optimum tone quality for that instrument. Requirements & Benefits The minimum rental period for any instrument is three months and a one time, non-refundable restocking fee ($ 40 for violin/viola, $ 60 for cello and $ 75 for basses) is required to open the contract. Each rental contract requires a driver’s license number and a credit card. After the initial three month period the appropriate fees will be charged to your credit card on a monthly basis. If the rental instrument is returned after the first three months, a refund will be issued for any months not used, less any expenses for repair. Rental instruments are subject to availability, so please phone ahead to reserve one in the size and program you prefer. You may easily upgrade to a different level at any time during your contract. 100% of the first 18 months’ rent may be applied toward the purchase of an instrument for sale at The Potter Violin Co. within 60 days of contract termination. This credit can be used toward any instrument of value greater than the amount of rental credit to be applied. Rental credit is non-transferable and may not be combined with trade-in credit from another instrument purchased at The Potter Violin Co. Rental credit may only be used for the purchase of instruments and bows, or in our tuition matching program. Economy Rentals - For Our Local Patrons (click to access rental inquiry contact form) Designed for the beginning student and available to walk-in customers only, this is the least expensive way to see if your child will enjoy the instrument. All of the instruments in this program are used and are for rental only (not for sale). Violin/Viola: 1/32 - 4/4 (full size) and viola up to 16 1/2” . . . $ 15/month Cello: 1/10 - 4/4 (full size) . . . $ 25/month Standard Rentals - Available Nationwide (click to access rental inquiry contact form) Designed for the advancing student and those who wish to begin with a better instrument, the instruments in this program are a step up in quality from the economy program. They are hand carved and produce a larger, brighter sound. Violin/Viola: 1/32 - 4/4 (full size) and viola up to 16 1/2” . . . $ 25/month Cello: 1/10 - 4/4 (full size). . . $ 45/month Bass: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 . . . $ 60/month Premier Rentals - Available Nationwide (click to access rental inquiry contact form) This program is designed for the more serious musician; either the advancing student or those who wish to have the finest rental instruments available. These are used Doetsch instruments or ones of similar quality that we have taken in trade and which for one reason or another, do not qualify for resale or consignment. These instruments are in high demand and we have very limited availability. If we have your size in stock, you are welcome to switch from another of our rental programs into the Premier program. Instruments in the Premier program are not for sale. Violin/Viola: 1/8 - 4/4 . . . $ 45/month Cello: sizes 1/8 - 3/4 . . . $ 60/month 1-800-317-9452 Terms, Conditions & Insurance The Potter Violin Co. now offers Rental Insurance. For a few dollars a month you can be insured against common repairs resulting from accidental breakage, vandalism, and natural disasters (fire, wind, flood). This won’t pay for theft, or regular maintenance; however we offer a discounted optional service agreement (see below). We recommend that you still insure your instruments under a home owners (or renters) insurance policy, which may help if the instrument is lost or stolen. If the instrument is damaged, the renter is responsible for the payment of repairs except those covered by insurance. If the instrument is lost or stolen, the renter is responsible for the contract value of the instrument. Some work such as open seams may be covered under our guarantee of quality and may not cost you anything. In any case it is best to bring in any instrument for a free inspection every 6 months, or anytime you or your teacher find a problem. All instruments are rented out in good condition. This means that there are no open edges or cracks, the bridge and the bow are straight, the bow hair and the strings are in new condition, and the instrument is properly adjusted (to your teacher’s satisfaction). The renter is responsible for maintaining the instrument to these standards. This is easily accomplished by reading and following the Potter Violin Co. Stringed Instrument Maintenance Guide. When the instrument is returned,we expect it freshly serviced and ready to be rented to the next student.We reserve the right to charge for any needed repairs or maintenance. Residents of the Washington D.C. area should have maintenance done by the Potter Violin Co. Outside the D.C. area, maintenance may be done by other shops; however,we reserve the right to charge for maintenance that is not up to our standards. Call us toll-free at 800-317-9452 for a referral to a Potters Associated Luthier Service location near you. Periodically your credit card company will issue you a new expiration date or number. Please keep us advised of changes. An active credit card must be on file to keep the Rental Contract in good standing. If payments cannot be made on time,we reserve the right to reclaim the instrument and terminate the contract. Optional Rental Insurance For a few dollars a month, you can reduce your repair or replacement costs by 60%. Should you need to have your rental instrument fixed, or if it is somehow damaged beyond repair, our insurance allows you to reduce your liability to 40% of our standard costs. Note: Rental Insurance Does Not Cover - Theft, regular Maintenance or Shipping. All Violins & Violas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5 per mo.   - $ 15 per 3 mo. All Cellos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7 per mo.   - $ 21 per 3 mo. All Basses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10 per mo.  - $ 30 per 3 mo. Optional Service Agreement The Potter Violin Co. now offers a discounted Maintenance Program to help keep your instrument in top condition. Violins will get new strings and bow hair twice a year. Violas and cellos will get 2 rehairs and one set of strings per year. Having optimum tone and playability rewards the student, pleases the teacher and prepares the student for the responsibilities of instrument ownership. All Violins, small violas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 42 per 6 mo. - Save $ 22 Large Violas (15”+) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 54 per 6 mo. - Save $ 45 All Cellos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$ 12 per 6 mo. - Save $ 81 Rental Instruments have only One-Time Shipping Charges! Our nationwide rental programs only charge a one-time flat-rate fee of $35 for violins and violas, and $55 for cellos. You never pay us again for outbound shipping (from us to you) when you change sizes or upgrade programs! (However, you are required to pay the costs of shipping & insurance both ways on instruments & bows sent to us for repairs & maintenance, even if you have Rental Insurance.)   Rental customers who have rented an instrument for more than one year are eligible to use their rental credit to pay for up to 1/2 of their tuition costs when attending any American Suzuki Association or American String Teacher's Association sponsored study workshop including Weekend Workshops, Suzuki “Institutes”and Chamber Group Masterclasses.