Work Order, Rental, and Invoice Agreement
Minimum Work Approval: All instruments left at the workshop are authorized for 1-2hr of work at our discretion without an estimate. Estimates will be provided for instruments that go beyond that time frame.
Estimates: Every instrument is unique and it is impossible to know *exactly* how much time a repair or restoration will take. Estimates are based on our prior experience and we do our best to communicate them as accurately as possible before services begin. Although estimates are typically free of charge in some cases an hour or two of work may be necessary in order to determine a more accurate scope. In situations where repairs are performed during an estimate, or when work needs to be performed to determine scope, then up to an hour worth of work may be invoiced. If a budget is limited to a specific amount please let us know before we begin services.
General Procedure Terms: Once an instrument is dropped off, and an estimate is discussed, it is assumed that work will proceed unless the owner of the instrument clearly declines or changes the scope of our recommended services. We may begin performing any of the preliminary services outlined in the estimate at any point after the instrument is left at the workshop even if the majority of the work may not be performed for weeks or months later.
Turnaround Time: All instruments are worked on in the order that they come into the workshop or the point that we receive a reservation deposit to hold a place in our queue. It is hard to predict exactly how long it may take to work on an instrument, and our best ability to estimate that time frame is based on the turnaround time frame of the instruments that are currently on our bench. If you need an instrument by a certain date, please contact us about expediting services and we can likely work something out.
Payment Agreement: Payments can be made via Cash, Check, Venmo, CashApp, ApplePay, Wire Transfer, PayPal or Credit/Debit Card at your convenience. Please note 3.5% will be added to credit card and PayPal transactions to help cover processing fees but is not applied to other payment types. Payments must be made in full before the instrument can leave the workshop (see pickup/storage below).
Down Payments: Down Payments towards the final invoice may be requested to reserve an instrument from our inventory, reserve or purchase parts, or pay for contracted labor with a fabricator. Down payments towards inventory or parts may be partially refundable (see “cancelations” below).
Reservations: Workbench reservations for spots in our job queue are made with a downpayment that is applied in full towards the final invoice. Reservations can be delayed up to 30 days once the instrument is due for the workbench. After 30 days the reservation will be cancelled. Reservation down payments are non-refundable.
Workbench Rates: Our rates are billed hourly rounded down to the nearest quarter hour for repairs and restorations.
Expediting Services and Purchases: Expedited services are offered at 1.5-2x the standard bench rate for labor on contracted repair and restoration services. For instruments purchased from CEPCo the expedited cost is calculated based on average hours of labor. The expedited costs are non-refundable.
Pickup Agreement & Storage Fees: All payments must be made in full before the instrument can leave the workshop. Storage fees may be charged if payment is not received within 30 days of completed work, or if it is not picked up within 60 days. If there is no response and no communication after 180 days the instrument becomes property of The Chicago Electric Piano Company (we are available by phone and email at all reasonable hours of the day). Storage fees are $2/day following the 30 day invoice period unless another arrangement has been agreed to.
Cancellations: If an instrument is picked up before all services are complete, or if the services (including instrument rentals) are cancelled at any point, they are still subject to the cost of the services performed to date, the cost of parts used, and additionally 10% of the remaining contracted services. If custom shop modifications are commissioned any service or parts costs associated with reverting the modification are non-refundable or partially refundable. Reservation down payments are non-refundable.
Pickup and Delivery: Pickup and delivery are offered for $50 in the city of Chicago or $50/hr outside of the city limits.
Rental Damages and Loss: Renting clients are liable for any damages or loss of the instrument. Rental repair services due to damage incurred are billed at 1.5x bench rate. Replacement cost in the case of a loss is equal to the replacement cost of the instrument plus restoration services provided, or the full retail cost of the instrument if it is available for purchase. Do not attempt any repairs or allow others to attempt repairs before contacting the Chicago Electric Piano Co and getting approval.
Warranty: All repairs and restorations are covered by an open-minded warranty proportionate to what is reasonable for the scope of services provided by our workshop. The time frame ranges from 30-60 days for the most minimal setups to 1-2 years on parts for our most detailed restoration services and the fully restored electric pianos sold from our workshop. Our open minded warranty only applies to reasonable use of the instrument–if it falls down a flight of stairs we’ll have to work something out. We are always here to help you out as long as the issues are within reasonable scope of the services provided.