Terms

Return Policy – Continental USA Only

Please Read Carefully

Approval Period

All internet sales include a 48-hour approval period.

  • Upon delivery, please allow the instrument to acclimate for 24 hours before opening the box. Opening too soon can cause finish damage.

  • After the 24-hour acclimation period, you have another 24 hours for inspection and approval.

Returns

  • If you decide to return an instrument, outbound shipping costs will be deducted from your refund.

  • The buyer is responsible for fully insured return shipping.

  • We do not provide return shipping labels.

  • A 1%–3% restocking fee applies to sales where payment processing fees were incurred (credit card or PayPal). This fee is waived for cash or check payments.

  • Returns are not accepted on modified instruments or trades.

  • Instruments must be returned in the same condition as shipped. A cleanup fee may apply if the instrument shows new wear (scratches, damage, or playwear).

Shipping & Delivery

  • Most instruments are shipped signature required.

  • If you cannot receive the shipment personally, you may request it be held at a FedEx location or Walgreens after shipment using your tracking number.

  • Refused packages will not be refunded for outbound shipping, and return shipping charges will still apply.

  • Please note: Express shipping services are no longer guaranteed.

Sales Tax – USA

  • Ohio residents: 7% sales tax applies.

  • All other U.S. states: No sales tax.

Shipping Damage

If your instrument arrives damaged, contact us immediately. We will arrange pickup and send a replacement right away. If a replacement is unavailable, you will receive a full refund.

Special Orders & Custom Instruments

  • Special or custom orders require a non-refundable deposit of 20%–50%, depending on the instrument and build time.

  • Deposits may be made via cash or trade-in.

  • The balance is due upon completion and delivery to The Mandolin Store.

  • All custom instrument sales are final.

  • In select cases, special-order instruments may be exchanged at our discretion.

International Customers

  • We no longer ship to the EU.

  • We currently ship to Canada and select other countries.

  • We do not ship instruments in gig bags outside the 48 continental U.S. states.

  • There is no approval period for international shipments.

  • The buyer is responsible for all customs fees, import taxes, and shipping delays.

Warranty Information

  • Customers are responsible for inbound and outbound shipping on warranty repairs.

  • Shipping charges are not covered by manufacturer warranties.

  • Instruments shipped outside the USA are not covered by warranty.

  • Warranties apply only to the original owner.

Warranty Coverage by Brand:

  • Lifetime (Limited): Weber, Collings, Gibson, Ellis, Pava, Eastman, and private builders

  • 5-Year Limited: Northfield, Lafferty

  • 1-Year Limited: Kentucky, Trinity College

Privacy Policy

Our Commitment

The Mandolin Store respects your right to privacy and your desire for a secure online shopping experience.

Information We Collect

We collect aggregate visitor data to improve our website experience. When you make a purchase, we collect your:

  • Name

  • Address

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Payment details

This information is used only to process your order and contact you if necessary. All customer data is stored in a secure database. Credit card information is not stored and is deleted immediately after the transaction.

We may collect your email address to confirm your order or share store updates. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of our emails.

Disclosure of Information

We do not share customer information with outside companies or organizations.

Children Under 18

For safety, we request that minors do not submit personal information without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Secure Shopping

We use GoDaddy Secure Certification Authority, which provides strong encryption and data protection. Your payment information is securely transmitted and encrypted.

Additional Notes

We make every effort to ensure accuracy in pricing, product descriptions, and manufacturer specifications.
However, The Mandolin Store is not liable for typographical errors or misprints.
We also reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.