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Frequently Asked Questions About Instrument Rentals

Why should I enroll my child in school band or orchestra?

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Enrollment in school music programs can be a highly positive experience for your child. Playing an instrument can provide numerous cognitive and emotional benefits. Music classes also help your child build friendships and develop social skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. Plus, playing music is fun!

How does renting work?

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Your initial rental fee will cover the first month of rent, or until the date specified on your rental contract. After that, monthly payments are due on the 1st of each month. Your rental payments will be applied toward the purchase of your instrument, but you can also return the instrument without any further obligation.

What comes with my rental?

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Your rental instrument comes with everything you need to start playing the instrument right out of the box. You’ll receive: 

 

  • A high-quality beginner instrument suitable for classroom use.

  • A protective case or bag to keep the instrument safe when traveling or in storage.

  • Mouthpiece, reeds, bows, and other accessories necessary for making sound.

  • Oils, lubricants, and/or swabs for maintaining your instrument.

  • A complimentary Care Guide to help you keep your instrument in working order.

Is there a minimum rental period?

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Most standard beginning band instruments only require one initial payment. After that, you can return the instrument anytime. These include trumpets, trombones, flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, and percussion kits.


Other student instruments may have a minimum rental period. These include orchestral strings, tenor saxophones, bass clarinets, oboes, and bassoons. But after you’ve made those minimum payments, you can return the instrument anytime without further obligation.

 

You will still be responsible for any remaining payments if you return the instrument before the minimum rental period is over.

What happens if my instrument breaks?

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Instruments can get damaged or experience natural wear and tear from regular use, just like any appliance or automobile. We offer an optional Maintenance & Theft Protection Plan that covers any accidental damage to your instrument for an additional monthly fee.

 

As long as your account is current, you can bring your damaged instrument to the repair shop and our expert technicians will take care of it for you. It offers additional peace of mind and can save you significant money in the long term.

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If you're not enrolled in the Maintenance & Theft Protection plan, you can still get your instrument repaired at our store.

How do I make payments?

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You can enroll in automatic payments at the time you rent your instrument. Payments will be processed on the 1st day of each month. If you’re not enrolled in auto-pay, you can make payments online, call us during business hours, or send your payments by mail.

How much does my rental cost?

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How much you pay will depend on a number of factors such as the type of instrument, the brand and model, and whether it’s new or used. Rental and purchase costs are shown in the online rental form. You can also contact us if you have any specific questions about pricing.

Do you charge any late fees?

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There is a 10-day grace period before payments are considered late. After that, a late fee will be charged to your account. The amount charged will vary based on the instrument being rented.

What if my child no longer wants to play their instrument?

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Not a problem! You can return the instrument to our Orem store, our sister store in Murray, or one of our authorized sub-dealers and your monthly payments will stop. Some instruments may have a minimum rental period. You will still be responsible for any remaining payments if you return the instrument before the minimum rental period is over.

Am I responsible for returning the instrument when I’m done with it?

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Yes. If you decide you want to return the instrument, you must take it to one of the locations mentioned above. You can also mail the instrument directly to our store. Do not return it to your child’s school.

Couldn’t I buy a cheaper instrument from a private party or a discount website?

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Possibly. But check with your child’s music teacher to see if it’s appropriate. An instrument that doesn’t play well can be incredibly discouraging and is often the main reason for quitting band or orchestra. Renting from Summerhays is an affordable way to obtain high-quality, teacher-approved instruments that sound great and have long-lasting durability.
 

Many discount instruments from online retailers are made of low-grade materials and have poor durability. As such, most repair shops will refuse to work on these instruments due to their frequent issues.


If you’ve found a used instrument from a friend, family member, or another private party, verify that it’s appropriate for your child. Used instruments almost always need repairs to make them play properly. Your teacher can tell you if the brand and model are appropriate for band, and an instrument repair technician can tell you what the instrument needs to play correctly.

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