BUYING INSTRUMENTS ONLINE - WHAT TO EXPECT

The first stop most people make when starting their shopping experience is online. Nothing is easier than popping some key words into Google and getting a smorgasbord selection of instruments to peruse. Some people might search for “student trumpet” and some might even have a brand/model they’re specifically searching for. In either case, you’re going to get a lot of results. What should you expect to see with an online search?

The first thing I want to mention is that it is often unclear whether you’re looking at a brand new instrument with full warranty, boxed from the factory OR a well used instrument categorized as pre-owned. The reason is that many sellers use stock photos in place of actual instrument photos. This may or may not be designed to deceive the end user. It might just be a lack of effort on the seller’s part or they may be hoping to sell something that has been lightly used with a more attractive price against those NEW prices from authorized sellers. Please understand that an instrument must be new to be authorized for warranty. The rare exceptions are those cases where an instrument is listed as B or C stock from the manufacturer themselves. In these instances, the company has inspected the instrument and deemed it sufficient condition to provide warranty coverage.

ALL new instruments should come with a warranty. If it doesn’t say whether or not warranty is provided, be sure to ask that seller. If a seller is claiming to sell a new instrument but it does not include warranty, they are likely NOT an authorized dealer and it is uncertain where they got the instrument from. Unfortunately, the internet provides an avenue for all sellers, legitimate or otherwise particularly on second hand sites like Ebay but that extends to sites like Reverb and Amazon as well. It is difficult to regulate these sellers because when one gets shut down, two more open up. Therefore, we must exercise the utmost caution when browsing online vendors.

If you’re seeing a common price across multiple sellers for a particular model of instrument, the reason is likely that the price is MAP (minimum advertised price) controlled by the instrument maker. In other words, the manufacturer sets a floor price that a seller is allowed to advertise online. While this is mainly seen as advantageous to the sellers, it is actually also advantageous to the BUYERS in that it establishes a fair market value for that instrument. Used and pre-owned prices are generally set using the value of a new instrument, therefore, there must be an accepted value which is usually MAP. Selling a new instrument below that price should result in a violation which can land the seller in hot water. Please note that this MAP policy only applies to instruments sold online - a brick & mortar retailer like Eastside can sell at whatever price they choose inside their business.

When you buy an instrument from Eastside Music, you can be assured that you are buying from an authorized dealer for that respective instrument which includes the warranty from the manufacturer. In addition, Eastside has the ability to inspect and correct tolerances that may be less than ideal from the factory. We then offer a follow-up adjustment once the break-in period has lapsed (roughly 90 days from purchase).