Rental Program: Terms & Conditions

The Bows for Strings rental program makes starting your musical journey simple and accessible. By entering your payment details at bowsforstrings.com and selecting ‘Pay Now’, you confirm you have read and agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. Rental Agreement & Payments

1. Rental payments are charged monthly, made in advance at bowsforstrings.com, and deducted automatically. Payment card details are encrypted and stored securely in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

2. All rental agreements carry a minimum term of 6 months. The full 6 months of payments are payable regardless of whether the instrument is returned earlier.

3. No refund or credit is issued if the instrument is returned part-way through a billing period already paid.

4. Automatic payments may only be cancelled by contacting Bows for Strings directly and returning the instrument. Unauthorised cancellations or chargebacks initiated while an instrument remains in the renter’s possession will result in bond forfeiture and may result in further recovery action.

5. Where an instrument is not immediately available, the rental agreement may be entered into in advance to secure a place in the queue. The first payment is charged at this time; the second payment falls one month after the instrument is collected, so renters are not charged for any waiting period.

6. Failed payments incur an administration fee of $10 per failed transaction. It is the renter’s responsibility to notify Bows for Strings if their card details change.

2. Bond

7. A bond is payable at commencement and held by Bows for Strings for the duration of the rental agreement. The bond amount is less than the outfit value of the instrument.

8. The bond is refunded in full on return of the instrument and bow in good condition. Fair wear and tear will not attract a deduction – examples include minor surface marks, rosin buildup and bow hair wear from general use. Where damage is assessed, an appropriate amount will be deducted from the bond. Where assessed costs exceed the bond, Bows for Strings reserves the right to invoice the renter for the outstanding balance. The bow is not to be left wound up when not in use.

9. Any broken strings are the responsibility of the renter and will be charged at market rate.

10. Where an instrument sustains damage that significantly reduces its value, the renter will be charged the full outfit value as recorded on the rental agreement. The instrument is then transferred to the renter’s ownership. This applies regardless of whether the instrument is repairable; for example, a neck break or a crack on the body may be fixable, but the instrument’s market value is substantially diminished and a trade-in may not be accepted at a later date.

3. Care, Liability & Repairs

11. Rental instruments remain the sole property of Bows for Strings at all times and are not insured by Bows for Strings while outside our premises. The renter accepts full liability for any loss or damage during the rental period.

12. The instrument’s condition is documented at commencement and recorded on the renter’s profile. Renters are encouraged to review this at the time of collection.

13. All repairs and maintenance must be carried out by the Bows for Strings workshop. Third-party repairs or modifications are not permitted and may result in termination of the rental agreement and/or additional charges.

4. Returning the Instrument

14. The rental agreement remains active until the instrument is physically returned to our showroom. No prior notice is required. Upon return, the instrument will be inspected by the workshop and the bond processed accordingly.

5. Six-Month Buy-Out Offer

15. Within the initial 6-month rental period, renters may purchase the rented instrument — or a new instrument of greater value — with all rental payments and the bond deducted from the purchase price. This offer applies to the renter’s first rental agreement only and is not a rent-to-buy arrangement.

16. The offer must be exercised before the 6-month period elapses. Bows for Strings does not proactively notify renters as this date approaches; renters are encouraged to note it in their calendar at collection. Once elapsed, the offer is waived and prior payments cannot be applied to a future purchase.

17. Where the offer is applied to a different instrument, that instrument must be new, the same size as the rented instrument, and of greater value than the rented outfit. The offer does not apply to a different-sized instrument. Any instrument purchased under this offer may not be traded in for a minimum of 6 months from the buyout date.

6. Size Upgrades

18. Renters who have outgrown their instrument may swap to the next size at no charge. Upgrades are completed in person at our showroom and the rental agreement will be updated to reflect the replacement instrument including size, model and condition.

19. A size upgrade during the initial 6-month period automatically waives the buy-out offer (Section 5). Prior rental payments cannot be applied toward a future purchase. The renter will be asked to acknowledge this at the time of the swap.

20. A size upgrade will transition the renter to the current rental rate for the replacement instrument.

7. Rental Pricing

21. Bows for Strings reserves the right to vary rental pricing. Where pricing changes, active renters will be notified and their existing rate grandfathered until a size upgrade or new rental agreement is entered into, at which point the current rate applies.