INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTIONS
The cosmetic condition of our vintage instruments are described in the following terms:
Mint (MT):  Sealed since manufacture, never played
Extremely Fine (EXF):  Carefully played and maintained, no flaws.
Excellent (EX):  May have very minor cosmetic flaws--but is well preserved.
Very Good (VG):  May have had major repair, very professionally performed.
Good (G):  May have visible repair,  but is structurally sound.
Needs Work (NW):  Sold as is, price reflects this.

In applying these descriptions, we take the age and availability of the instrument into consideration.  Please call for a careful, in-hand description before ordering.PHOTOS:Available upon request for  $3.50 per picture.
 

ORDERING INFORMATION
1)  Order by telephone or e-mail--be sure to confirm that the instrument you are ordering is still in stock.  We have a very high turnover rate and do not guarantee availability.
2)  Ask to have the instrument put on hold for you.  Once on hold, we will not sell the instrument to anyone else at any price.  Instrument will be held for 5 working days to allow you time to arrange payment.
3)  Make payment.  Please send total funds, plus shipping costs (and 6% sales tax if you are a North Carolina resident), in the form of certified check or money order payable to "Mandolin Central".    We will not ship on personal checks until the check clears.  All payments must include your name, street address, telephone number, instrument description, model and year.  We will  also accept a 25% deposit to hold the instrument for 30 days.  Upon receipt of the balance, the instrument will be shipped.  Deposits are non-refundable and there is no approval period when payment is made this way.
4)  Your instrument will be shipped via UPS when we have received payment in full.
Regular ground rate shipping costs are $25 Eastern and Central zones, $35 west of Rockies, $55 for Alaska or Hawaii, $80 Canada.  Instruments over $1500 value will require extra insurance and Overnight or 2nd day delivery : extra cost.
5)  When you receive the instrument you have 48 hours to examine it and try it out.  If we do not hear from you during the 48 hour approval period, we will assume the instrument has been sold.  If you are not satisfied, call us within the 48 hours to tell us you are returning it.   All shipments sent by us are insured and return shipments must be also.  We return the full price of the instrument as soon as we receive the item in the same condition as when it left our shop.  We cannot refund shipping charges or bank card processing fees.   Unless otherwise agreed, you the customer are responsible for all risk of loss or damage in shipping.
APPRAISALS:  A written appraisal for any instrument you buy from us will be mailed to you upon request.   Appraisals for other instruments are available for a fee of $25.  If we do not have the instrument in hand, we require clear  photos, front and back, the serial number and a money order for $25.  All appraisals are kept on file here and our records are confidential, but available to you in the event of emergency.
WANT FILE:  If you have a specific instrument that you would like to purchase, write or phone with a description.   We will keep this request on file and you will be notified when an instrument of that description comes available.