Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of Flute Specialist FAQ’s arranged by category. If you can’t find an answer to a question you have please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Purchases
Can I try flutes and piccolos before deciding what to buy?
Our expert team of flutists includes experienced performers, teachers, and repair technicians. We are here to help you find the instrument that best suits your performance needs and also your budget. All consultations for purchases are FREE. We will help you in person or over the phone to choose a few instruments that will best fit your needs. You can then have a FREE 7-day trial to test this instrument(s) in your own home or studio or play it for your teacher and friends to get other opinions. Buying an instrument is an important decision, so we want you to have time to make sure you’re delighted with the choice you’ve made.
How do I start my free seven day trial?
Fill out our online trial form here, and we will contact you. It’s just that easy!
Does my instrument purchase come with a warranty?
In addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, each purchase comes with our Flute Specialists warranty on adjustments. Our warranty is typically a six-month warranty for used instruments and 12 months for new.
What is your return/exchange policy?
Since Flute Specialists offers free 7 day in home trials, there are no returns or exchanges for all purchases of new and used instruments or headjoints. These are considered to be a final sale. Instruments purchased from our website may be eligible for a return or exchange. The customer must contact Flute Specialists within 7 days of the original invoice date to initiate the process. All returns are subject to inspection for damage to the instrument and all related accessories. In the event of a valid return the customer is responsible for all shipping costs, transaction fees and restocking fees.
No exchanges or refunds on sheet music, special orders, and products that have been used and/or damaged by the purchaser. If a product appears to be defective or previously damaged, please contact us immediately to arrange an exchange if the problem cannot be corrected.
Shipping
How do I ship my flute to you for repairs?
We understand that to some people may feel uneasy about shipping their flute or piccolo. We are here to help! Here’s a quick guide for how to ship your instrument:
Make sure that your instrument is insured for while it’s being shipped. Many players use instrument insurance agencies like Andersen or Clarion and others have their instruments insured through their homeowners insurance. Before mailing your flute, just double check that your instrument(s) are covered at their full replacement value for while they are en route. Need a new appraisal letter? Contact us, we can help!
Acquire a shipping box. Make sure that it will fit your flute with an extra 2-4 inches all around for packing materials. Need a box? Contact us, we can help
Pack your instrument(s) so that the box is filled and there is at least 2-4 inches of padding around the instruments. You can use packing kernels, bubble wrap, balled up newspaper, etc.
Before you seal up the box, add a note with your name, contact information (address, phone number, and email), make, model and serial number of your flute, when you would like to have your flute bak and any specific concerns you have about the instrument (sticky keys, specific mechanism problems, pad issues, etc.)
Ship to our office address at:
606 S. Rochester Rd.
Clawson, MI 48017-2125
We receive shipments from all shipping companies (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.). We recommend sending with signature required. You can choose to add delivery confirmation. It is up to you to decide if you want to add extra insurance through the shipping company.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship internationally! Contact us to find out which countries are eligible. The recipient will assume responsibility for all duties, taxes, fees, etc.
Repairs
Do I need to schedule an appointment to have my flute repaired?
No appointments are necessary to receive one of our FREE repair consultations! We recommend calling in advance to make sure someone on our repair staff is available when you arrive. If you’re coming from a far distance, it may be best to give us a call first just to be sure that we’re not traveling to one of the many flute events where we exhibit and give repair lectures.
I don’t live near you, can I still get a free flute repair consultation?
Absolutely! We ship instruments every day. If you can’t bring your flute to us, just ship it! We will call you once we have received it at our store and provide you with the repair consultation over the phone.
What is the typical cost of repairs? What are the different levels of repairs?
Unlike many other service and repair companies, we believe that all repairs are elective. This means that you, as the owner and player of the instrument, can select the level of service that you want based on what you think the instrument needs and how you want it to perform. This can allow you to save money on your repair by choosing what you would and would not like to have serviced with your instrument. At Flute Specialists, the standard annual maintenance COA (clean, oil, and adjust) is not always the same cost. You can elect to have your instrument polished and disinfected or not. You can replace the headjoint cork or decide not to replace it yet if you aren’t noticing any issues. You can choose to replace some of the pads and not others. It’s YOUR instrument and YOUR budget so YOU should be in control of how your instrument is serviced and how much money you’d like to spend.
Do you offer free consultations on repairs?
Yes, we do offer FREE consultations on all repairs! Consignments are always welcome. If you visit our store, we will inspect the instrument during your visit and give you a quote. We can also provide consultations over the phone and provide estimates. Still, we cannot confirm exact repair costs without visually inspecting the instrument. Sometimes while servicing an instrument, additional repair costs may arise. If this happens, we will call you first before any further work is performed. We don’t want you to have any surprises when you get your instrument back from servicing!
Does my repair come with any sort of warranty or guarantee?
Yes! Flute Specialists offers a warranty on adjustments for all repairs and purchases. This is typically a 45-day warranty on adjustments and a 6-month on overhauls.
What brands of flutes do you repair?
We service all modern production flutes, piccolos and headjoints along with many antique instruments as well. Not sure about your instrument? Give us a call!
How often does my flute need to be serviced?
At Flute Specialists, Inc. we believe if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! Sometimes something just seems off about your flute. Bring it in and we can look it over to see if it just needs some adjustments. The flute industry recommends annual maintenance, often called a COA (clean, oil and adjust).
How long will I have to leave my flute with you while it’s being serviced?
Of course, the answer to this question can vary based on the time of year and the amount of work that your instrument needs. Some minor adjustments can even be made on the spot. A standard servicing without appointment typically takes about two weeks, and overhauls (much more extensive work including fully re-padding the instrument) typically takes about four weeks. Expedited services potentially can be available upon request.
Consignments
Will you take my old flute as a trade-in?
Many old instruments have sentimental value. So you may decide you want to keep your old flute to use as a backup, for travel or as a marching instrument. We may be able to help you by selling your instrument on consignment or taking your flute as a trade-in. Contact us for more information.
Will you help me sell an instrument?
All instruments are worthy of consideration for consignment sale. Selling your instrument through Flute Specialists has many advantages over selling it on your own. All instruments go through our standard pre-sale servicing and this is part of the package at no cost to you the seller (unless you request the instrument is returned to you before it is sold). This means that if you have an instrument that you’re concerned isn’t in good shape to sell, you don’t have to worry about fixing it up on your own. Just fill out the consignment form, send the instrument to us and we will do the rest! After servicing, we will begin to show your instrument to the thousands of flutists we are in contact with across the country both in our store and at the many events we attend throughout the year. It will also appear on our website and there’s a possibility it could be highlighted on our social media accounts as well. When considering the pre-sale servicing, the Flute Specialists warranty on purchases and the national reach provided by a nationally known repair and sales company, why sell your instrument in any other way!
Lessons
Do you offer private lessons at your store?
Flute Specialists has multiple private lessons teachers that regularly teach at our Clawson location. You can see their bios and the days they teach on our website. You can contact the teachers or us directly to learn more about their availability and the cost of lessons.
Flute Chior
Who can join the flute choir?
The Flute Specialists Flute Choirs have no audition requirements and are free! There are two levels: intermediate and advanced. We recommend the intermediate flute choir is for players who are new to playing the flute and have played for around 3 years or less. Advanced choir is for those players with more than three years of experience. Not sure which one is for you? Just show up and try it out!
Is there a cost to join the choir?
There is no cost to join the Flute Specialists Flute Choirs! This is a free ensemble with no obligation. Come to rehearsals when you can and join the fun!
How often does the flute choir rehearse?
Flute Choir rehearses typically every Saturday, rotating one week for intermediate and the next week for the advanced choir. Sometimes the groups come together for the combined choir. You can see the rehearsal schedule and get more information about the flute choir on our website here.