Rental Program FAQs

Have a question? You can find everything here from return policy to what we do with your information that we collect.

How Does the Rental Program Work?
How Does Rent-to-Own Work?
Can I Use My Purchase Credit To Buy Other Things?
What's the Fine Print?
Do You Accept Returns?
Will You Ship My Rental Order to Me?
Will You Deliver My Rental Order to Me?
What the Heck Are You Doing With All My Personal Information??!
What About Security?

The Spiel

Below you will find in-depth descriptions and explanations regarding all aspects of our rental program mentioned here within the spiel. While we strongly suggest you read that entire FAQ, here's the spiel (general summary) if you just want the cliff notes:

A Standard Rental with us is one month up front with a three month minimum. If you need to return the instrument before three months, we will charge you for whatever the remainder is. After three months you are free to return the instrument whenever you want.

Everything we do is Rent-to-Own. About two-thirds of your monthly payment goes towards the retail value of the instrument. The other one-third of your monthly payment is the built-in Maintenance Policy and tax. These do not go towards ownership. Rent-to-own is a passive benefit built into all of our rental contracts. It does not cost you anything, and by no means are you obligated to go to terms of ownership.

The Maintenance Policy covers basic wear and tear on your rental instrument. Musical instruments are very mechanical in nature with many moving parts, screws, springs and so on. If your instrument begins having issues, please bring it back to us so our experienced repair technicians can fix it for you. If we have the inventory available, we will lend you a loaner instrument at no extra cost while you're instrument is in the shop. The Maintenance Policy also covers services such as tuning and cleaning. We strongly suggest that all of our customers make use of the Maintenance Policy while they have their instrument.

It is important to understand that the Maintenance Policy does not cover damage, loss, or theft. If your instrument is damaged, whether it be accidental or malicious, you as the rentee are responsible for the cost of repair or the balance of the retail value if the instrument is totalled. If the instrument is unrecoverable due to theft or loss, you as the rentee are responsible for the balance of the retail value.

Your contract with us, Metropolitan Music, is independent of whatever your academic calendar may be. You contract with us does not instantly end once school does. As long as you have the instrument, whether it's being used or not, we are going to charge you for it. In order to end your contract with us, the instrument must be physically returned to either of our locations. We do not and cannot end contracts over the phone.

On a related note, we do not prorate or refund rental fees. A common scenario is that a customer has been meaning to return their instrument but has not, and then gets billed for their next billing cycle. The customer then brings the instrument back in the next day or two after getting billed and asks for a refund. We will say no. Again, as long as the instrument is in your possession you will be billed. We strongly suggest that you return the instrument once you know that you are done with it so that you can avoid being charged any further.

Please explore the rest of the FAQ for more information reagrding the previously mentioned topics as well as on subjects not mentioned in this summary.

How Does the Rental Program Work?

Renting With Metropolitan Music

Renting an instrument is one of the best ways for any beginning musician to get started.

When you rent an instrument with Metropolitan Music, you get a quality instrument that will help foster a positive music learning experience and long-term success.

All of Metropolitan Music's rentals are Rent-to-Own at no additional cost to our customers. It's a passive benefit built into all of our contracts so our customers get the most out of their money. Each time a payment is made, the Base Rate of your payments accumulates as Purchase Credit toward the retail value of the instrument you are renting.

Instruments for Rent

Flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone, snare drums, bell kits, violins, violas, cellos and some upright bass sizes all available for online rentals.

Metropolitan Music also offers a number of speciality instruments in limited supply: piccolo, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, french horn, baritone saxophone, tuba, euphonium, baritone, bass trombone, and upright bass.

Rental Plans

Metropolitan Music offers two kinds of retnal plans, a Standard rental and the Ten-for-Nine. All of our rental plans are Rent-to-Own.

A Standard rental is basic month-to-month billing. You'll be charged once a month for the duration of your rental, until you return or pay off the your instrument. A Standard rental has a three month minimum requirement.

With the Ten-for-Nine, you would pay nine months of rent in a lump sum up front and get the tenth month free. After ten months, billing automatically reverts to basic month-to-month payments. You can renew the Ten-for-Nine at any time. You get nine months worth of Purchase Credit from your lump sum payment.

Breaking Down Your Monthly Payment

With a Standard Rental, you will make a monthly payment that consists of multiple parts.

The Base Rate

The Base Rate is the majority of your monthly payment. Each month you make a payment, the Base Rate accumulates as Purchase Credit.

Maintenance Fee (Mandatory)

The maintenance fee covers basic wear and tear on the instrument. Over the course of playing your instrument, some parts may come loose, stuck, out of alignment, or any number of other things that are a result of day-to-day use. Metropolitan Music will fix these issues for you at no additional cost. The maintenance fee does not cover accidental or malicious damage. It does not cover the loss or theft of the instrument. The maintenance fee does not go towards Purchase Credit.

Optional Theft Protection (OTP)

What Is It?

For a small additional monthly fee, you can add the OTP to your rental plan. The OTP protects your instrument in three different specific cases of theft:

-If the instrument is stolen from a locked locker.

-If the instrument is stolen from a locked bandroom.

-If the instrument is stolen from your home.

The OTP does not cover the instrument being stolen out of your car. (Please do not leave any instrument in your car unnattended for long periods of time.) The OTP does not cover the loss of the instrument.

Do I Need the OTP?

Most people don't get the OTP to start. Elementary schools typically do not have locked lockers or locked bandrooms, and homeowner's insurance covers theft from the home, making it redundant for that particular instance of theft.

Our customers in middle school, high school, and college are the renters that typically opt for the OTP. You can add the OTP to your contract at any time, just give us a call.

The OTP fee does not go towards Purchase Credit.

What Happens If My Instrument Is Lost or Stolen?

If the instrument you are renting is lost or stolen, you as the rentee are responsible for the retail value of the instrument. If you have the OTP, and the instrument is stolen from one of the three places that the OTP covers, you must submit a police report. If the police corroborate the theft, you are not responsible for the retail value of the instrument.

...and finally: Tax

Something, something, death and taxes.

Tax does not go towards Purchase Credit, but with each payment you are reducing the total sales tax on the retail value of the instrument. If you rent your instrument long enough to pay it off, there is no additional sales tax when you make your final payment.

Changing and Returning Instruments

What if the musician wants to switch instruments?

Sometimes the first instrument a musician picks out isn't always the right one, or the musician decides to change to a related instrument, like switching from trumpet to baritone.

If, upon teacher recommendation, the customer wishes to exchange the instrument for a different type of instrument of equal or greater value, Metropolitan Music will transfer six months worth of Purchase Credit to a different instrument.

At Metropolitan Music, we strongly encourage all new musicians to give the instrument they initially chose a fair chance. It takes time and effort to learn how to play music, but if things aren't working out we are happy to work with you to find a good alternative.

What If I Want To Stop Renting My Instrument?

If you want to stop renting your instrument, you must return it to one of Metropolitan Music's locations. As long as you have the instrument, you will continue to be billed.

If your instrument is returned in poor condition, you may be charged for the repair.

If you return your instrument, your Purchase Credit is voided. We encourage customers to rent through the summer so the musician can practice and so that you retain your Purchase Credit.

How Does Rent-to-Own Work?

Using Your Purchase Credit to Own the Student Model Band Instrument You're Renting

Used student model band instruments have low monthly rental payments, but take a longer amount of time to pay off. For example, a used trumpet will be have a lower monthly payment than a new instrument, and it will take about 4 1/2 years to pay off.

New student model band instruments have higher monthly payments, but they pay off faster than a used student model instrument. For example, it takes about 3 years to pay off a new trumpet.

Intermediate and Advanced Step-Up Band Instruments

Over the course of their playing career, the musician may advance beyond their entry-level student model instrument. Metropolitan Music offers a variety of intermediate- and advanced-level instruments to meet the needs of the improving musician. You can apply the Purchase Credit that you accumulated on your student model instrument towards the retail value of the step-up instrument that you exchange for. This can provide a significant discount towards owning a nicer instrument.

Using Your Purchase Credit With Orchestral Instruments

Instruments like violin and cello come in fractional sizes: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4 (full sized). Violas come in a series of different lenghts: 11", 12", 13", 14" etc.

The instruments come in different sizes to accomodate the varying statures of student musicians.

For example, if your child starts on a 1/2 sized violin, they will eventually need to step up to the next size, a 3/4 sized violin, when they grow. If they grow some more, they will ultimately need a full sized violin.

Metropolitan Music makes the transition between sizes seamless. You simply exchange your current instrument for the next size up and your Purchase Credit transfers over too.

Can I Use My Purchase Credit To Buy Other Things?

No. Purchase Credit accumulated from renting an instrument may only be applied towards that rental instrument or another instrument of equal or greater value.

Purchase Credit is not a gift card and cannot be used towards retail purchases. It cannot be used to buy accessories, equipment, or repair services.

What's the Fine Print?

You will find our complete Terms and Agreements right below and available to read in their entirety. You can also download a PDF of them by clicking here.

Terms and Agreements

Instrument: The term "Instrument" as used herein shall include the Instrument as described above and any accessories provided to Customer by Metropolitan Music Services to accompany the Instrument.
Customer Responsibility for Instrument: Customer shall be responsible for maintaining the Instrument in good condition. Customer shall be responsible for any damage to the Instrument above ordinary wear and tear. In the event an Instrument is returned to Metropolitan Music Services with damages exceeding ordinary wear and tear Customer shall be responsible for the Retail Price of the Instrument. It shall be in Metropolitan Music Services' sole discretion whether any damage to an Instrument exceeds ordinary wear and tear. Any Instrument returned to Metropolitan Music Services shall be subject to an inspection period prior to determination as to the condition of the Instrument. Customer shall not apply stickers or markings of any sort to the Instrument. An Instrument returned with a sticker or marking applied to the same shall be considered destroyed and the Customer shall be responsible for the Retail Price of the Instrument.
Credit Card: Customer has provided credit card information to Metropolitan Music Services. Metropolitan Music Services is authorized to process the credit card for the following:
1. Monthly payments on the Due Date
2. Extraordinary maintenance charges
3. Late fees
4. Charges allowed under a default
5. Any other amounts due as described herein, including without limitation the Retail Price of the Instrument if so warranted hereunder.
- Customer shall maintain current credit card information with Metropolitan Music Services. Failure to maintain current credit card information shall be a default under this Agreement and shall result in a termination of this Agreement and Customer being charged the Retail Price of the Instrument.
- If at any time Customer initiates a chargeback on a credit card, without prior notice to Metropolitan Music, Customer shall be charged a fee of $100.00.
Lost or Destroyed Instrument: In the event the Instrument is lost or destroyed Customer shall be responsible for the Retail Price of the Instrument.
Terms: Customer hereby agrees to rent the Instrument described above for a minimum period of three months (1 month payable in advance). After the initial month period, if Customer wishes to keep the Instrument Customer shall pay the monthly rental for each month Customer has the Instrument. If Customer is in default of the first payment after participating in a store promotion, Customer is responsible for the full value of the promotion.
Due Date: The Due Date for the monthly payment shall be advised by Metropolitan Music each and every month, and said date may vary month-to-month.
Late Fee: A late fee of $10.00 shall be charged on any payment not received within seven (7) days of the Due Date. An additional $25 dollar fee shall be charged for each month a payment is late.
Termination: Customer may terminate the lease at any time by returning the Instrument to one of the above locations in good condition and paying all amounts due to Metropolitan Music Services. Metropolitan Music Services is not required to refund the unused portions of the first months' rental or for the unused portion of any month thereafter.
Maintenance: Customer agrees to pay a maintenance fee each month, which fee is in addition to the monthly rental charge. For this fee, Metropolitan Music Services will provide normal service of the instrument during the term of this lease, maintaining it in good condition. Any and all maintenance and repair to the Instrument shall be provided by Metropolitan Music Services. Customer shall not take the Instrument to any other reapir shops for maintenance and/or repair. Neither Customer nor student shall perform any repair on the instrument.
Option to Purchase: Customer may elect to purchase the Instrument at any time during the term of the lease by paying the balance of the Instrument Retail Price. At the time of such purchase, Customer will receive a credit towards the retail price of an amount equal to 100% of rental payments during the rental period. For this purpose, rental payments include only the monthly rent amount and does not include late payment charges, default fees, reinstatement fees or other fees as disclosed in this Agreement. Customer will be charged apllicable sales tax.
Non-Payment of Rental - Reinstatement: If Customer does not make payment by the Due Date and has not returned the Instrument within ten days after the Due Date, then Customer shall be deemed (a) to have converted the Instrument to Customer's own use, and (b) to be responsible to Metropolitan Music Services for the Retail Price of the Instrument. PROVIDED, that Customers shall have the right to reinstate this agreement as set forth in applicable state law. A reinstatement fee of $250.00 shall be charged to Customer.
Instrument Return: An Instrument must be returned on or before the Due Date to avoid paying another month's rent.
Default: If Customer defaults on any payment, obligation, or fees due hereunder and Metropolitan Music Services refers to this matter to a collection agency or attorney for collections, the Customer agrees to pay in addition to any sums due to Metropolitan Music Services, the reasonable collection or agency or attorney fees incurred, plus court costs.
NSF Fee: Any check issued by Customer which is returned for insufficient funds will be subject to a $25.00 handling fee.
Ownership: Customer does not own the Instrument until all necessary payments have been made to purchase the Instrument as set forth above.
Warranty: Maintenance and repair is provided during the lease term as set forth above. Some instruments may include a warranty. Metropolitan Music will provide specific information regarding the Instrument and any accompanying warranty. If any part of a manufacturer's express warrany covers the Instrument at the time Customer acquires ownership of the Instrument, said warranty shall be transferred to Customer, if allowed by the terms of the warranty.
Optional Theft Protection (OTP): Customers who choose the OTP must have their account paid up to due date at the time of the loss for coverage to be effective. Only in the event of an actual breaking and entering of the Customer's home, child's locked locker or the locked band room will the coverage apply. No other instances of theft or loss will be covered. Customer must submit a copy of a police report and $100 deductible must be paid by Customer. Upon receipt of the foregoing, this Agreement will be terminated.
Instrument Exchange: If, upon teacher recommendation, Customer wishes to exchange the Instrument for a different type of instrument of equal or greater value, Metropolitan Music Services shall allow up to six month's base rent toward the retail price of a new instrument. Accrued purchase credit on a fractional-size string instrument shall transfer to the next size string instrument.
Attorney's Fees: In the event of any action or proceeding brought by either party against the other under this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all of his or her costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, whether with or without trial, or on appeal.
Condition of Agreement: The Agreement shall become effective only when signed by the parties.
Voluntary Execetion; Entire Agreement; Amendment: It is understood and agreed that no inducements or promises of any kind or nature have been made or extended from either party to the other which would influence the execution of this Agreement other than those specific terms contained herein. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to any matter covered or mentioned in the Agreement, and no prior agreements or understandings pertaining to any such matter shall be effective for any purpose. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written agreement fully executed by the parties.
Governing Law: This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and for all purposes governed by the laws of the State of Washington.

Do You Accept Returns?

Yes, we accecpt returns. Metropolitan Music strives to make sure that our customers have all the correct pieces and parts of gear and equipment they need for a successful music playing experience. To achieve this, we have an accomodating return policy.

Customers have a grace period of 30 days to return an item with a receipt.

However, there are a few items we cannot refund; we cannot accept opened packages of reeds or any item opened and not in like-new condition for return.

Will You Ship My Rental Order to Me?

It depends. At this time, Metropolitan Music does not offer shipping as a standard part of rentals, unless you are a customer in the State of Alaska. All rented instruments will need to be picked up in-store, at a rental night, or received from a pre-arranged delivery with your music program.

Will You Deliver My Rental Order to Me?

No. At this time, Metropolitan Music does not offer individual deliveries as a standard part of rentals. We do deliver to some music programs that we make prior arrangements with. If you are interested in arranging rental instrument deliveries from us for your music program, give us a call or talk about it with whoever is in charge of your music program.

What the Heck Are You Doing With All My Personal Information??!

Honestly, not much. The personal information you supply to us is stored securely in our database. Our software tokenizes your credit card information, drastically reducing the risk of compromised info, accidental exposure, and unauthorized use. The Alternate Contact Information you give us on the rental contract is never used for marketing purposes. We only use Alternate Contact Information when your primary forms of contact info fail to work after numerous attempts. We do not sell or distribute your information. You may receive the occasional promotional email or text from Metropolitan Music. Rest assured, we will not be blowing you up nonstop with marketing spam.

What About Security?

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