This site is owned and operated by Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments. These terms & conditions set out the basis on which you can visit and use our website and are legally binding. By accessing any part of the Website, you shall be deemed to have accepted these terms in full.
The trademarks and names displayed on this website are registered and unregistered trademarks of Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments and must not be reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the Managing Director.
The content displayed on this website is owned by Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments and may not be reproduced in whole, or in part, without the express written permission of the Managing Director.
Any use of this website or its contents, including copying or storing it in whole or in part, other than for your own personal, non-commercial use is prohibited. You may not modify, distribute or re-post anything on this website for any purpose without the permission of the Managing Director of Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments.
Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments take care to update the website and present accurate descriptions and prices however we reserve the right to alter these according to current market trends. All prices are displayed inclusive of VAT. Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of any of the information contained on this website.
Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments makes every effort to ensure that this website is free from viruses or defects. However Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage which may arise to computer equipment as a result of using this website.
All items on this website are subject to availability and are likely to change. We recommend you contact us to check availability and updated pricing.
If you use the links on this website to other websites, Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments cannot accept any liability in respect of the use or content of these.
Joining our mailing list or providing us with your email address via the shop (33 Chalk Hill, Watford, WD19 4BL) or through one of our competitions permissions us to send you offers, promotions and news. If you do not wish to be contacted by us you may opt out of this service by contacting us by email at info@thwaites.com.
Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments reserves the right to revise the terms and conditions of this Agreement at any time. Any such revision will be binding and effective immediately upon posting of the revised.
Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions
Please note there are separate Terms and Conditions for our Student Rental Scheme and our Online Rental Scheme
Student Rental Scheme (only by visiting the shop)
- All rented instruments (instrument, bow and case) remain the property of Thwaites at all times. The Customer must not sell or dispose of any items, unless agreed in writing. This agreement is not a rent-to-buy scheme. All direct debit costs are for the rental of the instrument.
- There is no minimum period of hire. Instruments may be exchanged for a different size so long as the new instrument is of the same quality or returned at any time without penalty. If the Customer wishes to upgrade to a more expensive instrument the Direct Debit will increase. You will be advised of any increase at the time of the upgrade.
- The rental fee is payable in advance on the 1st of the month by Direct Debit. This will show as GoCardless on your statements, which Thwaites use as a third party. Failure to meet monthly payments will result in a request to return the instrument and may incur additional charges to cover our costs. We reserve the right to terminate any rental agreement by giving one month’s notice in writing.
- The Customer may terminate the rental agreement at any time by returning the instrument to the shop. The Direct Debit must not be cancelled before the instrument is returned. The Customer is responsible for returning the instrument in good order.
- Any late or failed payments will incur an extra charge of £1.00 to cover bank fees and additional administrative costs.
- We reserve the right to increase the monthly rental fee by giving one month's notice in writing. We may increase the rental fee at any time in response to changes in the rate of VAT.
- It is the Customer’s responsibility to keep the instrument safe and to use it in a proper and careful manner. Damage must be reported promptly and any repairs carried out by Thwaites. All repair cost incurred are the responsibility of the customer to pay. You may incur extra charges if you take the instrument elsewhere for repairs unless agreed in writing in advance.
- All hires include general maintenance, which covers the cost of basic quality strings, bow rehairs, and fair wear and tear. Any better-quality strings are not covered under the agreement but are available at an extra cost.
- The Customer is liable for any damage to the instrument and any costs that incurs.
- The full cost of a replacement instrument due to loss or theft will be charged to the Customer.
- In relation to the above two clauses, it is the Customer’s responsibility to arrange appropriate cover for the duration of the rental either through a household insurance policy or a specialist musical instrument insurance policy. Many of our customers use Lark Musical Insurance (quote THWAITES).
- The Customer must keep Thwaites informed of any changes of address or contact details. Failure to do so may result in an additional charge to cover our costs.
Online Rental Scheme
- All rented instruments (instrument, bow and case) remain the property of Thwaites at all times. The Customer must not sell or dispose of any items, unless agreed in writing. This agreement is not a rent-to-buy scheme. All direct debit costs are for the rental of the instrument.
- The minimum rental period is three months. The payment for the first three months, which is non-refundable, will be charged prior to the instrument being dispatched. Subsequent monthly rental fees are paid by Direct Debit and continue until the instrument is returned to us. This will show as GoCardless on your statements, which Thwaites use as a third party. Failure to meet monthly payments will result in a request to return the instrument and may incur additional charges to cover our costs. We reserve the right to terminate any rental agreement by giving one month’s notice in writing.
- Instruments may be exchanged for a different size so long as the new instrument is of the same quality or returned at any time without penalty. If the Customer wishes to upgrade to a more expensive instrument the Direct Debit will increase. You will be advised of any increase at the time of the upgrade. You will be liable for all shipping costs incurred.
- The Customer may terminate the rental agreement at any time after the initial three month period by organising the return of the instrument to the shop by yourself, through Thwaites or an agreed third party. The Direct Debit must not be cancelled before the instrument is returned. The Customer is responsible for returning the instrument in good order.
- If you wish to purchase this or another instrument at any time during the rental period, we will deduct the equivalent of three month's rental from the purchase price.
- A delivery fee will be taken via a Direct Debit payment, once sent or delivered. The delivery fee is £15 for violins and violas. The delivery charge for cellos and basses will depend on distance but will be a minimum of £50. Please contact us for a quote prior to completing the order. If you collect your instrument from the shop the shipping cost will not be applied. Delivery to Mainland UK only.
- We ask that you retain any shipping boxes or packaging for ease of return. If you wish to return the instrument in the future, you can deliver or send this yourselves, or contact us to arrange collection. Please note that if we organise collection for you that we will need to charge a fee, which would be taken through the Direct Debit.
- You must keep the instrument safe and use it in a proper and careful manner. Any damage must be reported promptly and any repairs carried out by Thwaites unless agreed in writing in advance. The customer will be liable for the full cost of any repair as well as any shipping costs incurred. You may incur extra charges if you take the instrument elsewhere for repairs unless agreed in writing in advance.
- Replacement strings and bow re-hairs are not covered by the monthly rental fee. Bows are to be returned to us for repair and will be charged to the customer. Discounted replacement strings can be purchased from our sister site Violin Strings Online. https://www.violinstringsonline.co.uk
- The Customer is liable for any damage to the instrument and any costs that incurs.
- The full cost of a replacement instrument due to loss or theft will be charged to the Customer.
- In relation to the above two clauses, it is the Customer’s responsibility to arrange appropriate cover for the duration of the rental either through a household insurance policy or a specialist musical instrument insurance policy. Many of our customers use and Lark Musical Insurance (quote THWAITES).
- The Customer must keep Thwaites informed of any changes of address or contact details. Failure to do so may result in an additional charge to cover our costs.
Questions, comments and requests regarding the terms and conditions are welcomed and should be addressed to info@thwaites.com
Updated May 2025
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