Dear Clarinet Friend,

As the owner of Lisa’s Clarinet Shop, I (semi) jokingly tell my customers that the job you are paying for me to do for you, is to help you find or refine your musical voice to sound and play your very best. Of course, what you will leave with is a clarinet in a case to accomplish that shared goal.

My point in telling you this, is that while I absolutely allow my instruments to go out on trial, you should be coming to use my service because no one will help you better, or work harder, to help you identify and find for you exactly what you need to sound and play your best.  I am known for going the extra mile for my customers (to the best of my ability)- regardless of if that means flying to Buffet to meet the needs of one specific customer or doing special set up work to meet specific criteria you have and need done to reach a decision. I am told by others that there is no one out there as devoted to serving musicians as I, and I have to say that I feel it’s true. If you become my customer, you will have a friend in me for life- someone devoted to helping you achieve your musical goals like no other.  And as a result of my work ethic and level of commitment to my customers, I am picky about the loyalty my customers return.

In general, I think loyalty is important in professional relationship. Not just because you get the best out of someone (hopefully) for being loyal, but mostly because, over time, of the growth of the friendship and trust that loyalty brings.

So, if you are new to this idea, and would prefer to shop around and try instruments from a variety of shops, I wish you well on your journey. I simply ask that you do that before you come to mine. All I ask of new and returning customers is to be willing to be loyal to me until I prove I am unable to serve you. If you are willing to work with me, even if you don’t know all the answers or you think you do, together we will find exactly what feels right for you and makes you sound and play your absolute best.

Your friend for life,

Our Instrument Trial Policy

We know how important it is to you to find the perfect instrument to meet your playing needs. If by chance you are not sure if you love what I have sent, we will be happy to look for more for you to try. All you need to do is ask.  And if you’re worried about the shipping, because we usually get it right on the first try, if you need to try more for some reason, the shipping to you will be on us.

We take a great amount of pride in our selection process and have done this for many fine players like yourself for over 40 years now. I trust you will be satisfied with our selection.

Starting Your Instrument Trial

We take a full deposit on the least expensive instrument for every 3 we send plus shipping.

Completing your purchase

REMEMBER: Don’t use the swabs in the cases! They cost $18.00 each to replace and we don’t want to have to bill you for those you return that are used.

If you purchase an instrument there is no trial fee. If you select a more expensive instrument then what you were originally charged for, the balance will be charged at the end.

Return Shipping

Note: you are responsible for shipping both ways. We offer return labels at our standard shipping rate, which most tell us is considerably less than what they have been quoted when they go to UPS or Fed Ex to return instrument. Feel free to email me and ask us for one and we can bill your account for it. All return labels are fully insured and sent through email and can be printed out.

Time line for Instrument Trials

Your approval is for 14 days from the date of your invoice.We ask that you only have the instrument(s) postmarked back to us within that time period. If you need an extension please call and ask for one.

You are responsible for the instruments while they are in your possession. When returning those you do not wish to keep on your own, be sure to insure them. We am flexible if you need a little more time but only if you call us prior to the end of your first 2 week trial. It is very difficult to maintain the quality level of instruments we have, while managing to send more instruments, than someone will be purchasing, out to try. We are always in a position where someone else has 2 or more of a specific type of instrument we need for someone else who is waiting to try. We very much appreciate your timely return and respect for how difficult it is to maintain inventory that is this expensive while meeting all of the very particular needs of the our customers we are here to serve.

Instruments returned between 15 and 30 days will be charged a flat charge of a 20% restock fee. Instruments returned after the 30th day are not returnable whatsoever and will be returned to you with additional postage charged to you.

If you choose to not purchase an instrument from Lisa’s Clarinet shop, your money will be refunded (less the fees listed below, within 5 business days of the receipt of the instrument(s) return, either through electronic transfer back to your credit card or by check. Due to the slow delivery of US mail these days, if you paid in cash or by check, while the check will be mailed within 5 business days it is likely to not arrive for 10-12 business days.

Our Barrel Trial Policy

How many barrels can I try?

3-5 barrels can be chosen for trial at a time.

Trial Fees You Will Incur If You Do Not Make a Purchase

If you do not purchase a barrel you will be charged a $3.00 trial fee per barrel plus the original shipping and insurance charges.  However, if you make a purchase no trial fees will be charged. The only thing you are responsible for is shipping both ways plus the cost of the barrel you are buying.