(Conditions of sale)

SALES POLICY

REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE & SETUPS

SECTION 1. Agreement with the conditions of sale

By placing an order, the customer confirms having read these conditions of sale and agrees to fully respect them. The contractual relations between BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS and the customer are governed by these conditions, accepted by both parties. These conditions shall prevail over all other provisions.
As a customer, I authorize Belforti Instruments to repair, restore or modify the instrument described in this agreement. Belforti Instruments will only perform services, repairs and improvements requested by the customer. Although, wherever possible, BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS will provide honest, reasonable and considerate services and ensure the highest quality of service and support, specific results cannot be guaranteed. Quotations are offered free of charge and without obligation. The prices mentioned are valid for 30 days from the date of issue of the quote. By agreeing to carry out the work, the client accepts these conditions

SECTION 2. Services

BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS undertakes to carry out the work specified in the estimate with diligence and professionalism, in accordance with industry standards. Additional work or modifications requested by the customer in progress may be subject to an additional estimate.

2.1. The restoration is based on the preservation of the material and the original style of the instrument, respecting the rules established by international experts. Damaged instruments are carefully examined before being repaired. The estimate includes a phase of historical research and study of the instrument.
2.2. Conservation follows the same rules as restoration, but without the objective of restoring the instrument to playing condition. This concerns instruments of historical interest, but too damaged to be put back into use.
2.3. Repairs enable cost-effective restoration of instruments There may be circumstances in which this instrument cannot be repaired. In this case, Belforti Instruments will inform the client.
2.4. Maintenance ensures the proper functioning of the instrument in the face of the demands of regular use.

SECTION 3. Deadlines

The execution times are given as an indication. BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS strives to meet these deadlines, but cannot be held responsible for delays due to circumstances beyond its control.

SECTION 4. Rates

The prices are printed in euros. The price indicated does not include delivery costs. The rates applied are those in force at the time of acceptance of the order by BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS.

SECTION 5. Retention and deposit

The instruments and equipment deposited with BELFORTI Instruments remain the property of the customer. BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS reserves the right to charge storage costs for items not collected within 15 days of notification of the end of the work. If the customer does not make arrangements to recover the result of his order, storage costs of around €300 will be applied. Beyond 3 months after having been informed that the order was ready to be delivered, the good will be considered as property of BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS 1 year after this same date.

ARTICLE 6. Payment

The amount invoiced to the customer corresponds to the price indicated on the order confirmation. Payment will be made upon delivery of the order and may be made by cash, credit card or bank transfer payable to BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS. In the absence of prior agreement, in the event of late payment in relation to the agreed due date, the invoice will be increased by 7% per month of delay from the fixed due date. This increase results from the material observation of the delay and constitutes a penalty clause, in accordance with articles 1226 and 1229 of the Civil Code.
The return of the instruments entrusted to BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS will only be possible after full payment of the amount due. In the event of legal proceedings, the invoice will be increased by 15% under this penalty clause, without taking into account any legal costs.

SECTION 7. Guarantee and precautions

Instruments are sensitive to temperature extremes and thermal shock, such as heat, cold, dryness and excessive humidity. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from exposure of the instruments to very low humidity (such as exposure to sources of dry heat, near a radiator or in a car in the sun, for example). The warranty also does not cover damage resulting from the use of the instrument (scratches, wear of the frets, shocks, etc.) or damage caused by the intervention of a third party on the instrument.

SECTION 8. Applicable law and competent jurisdiction

This contract is governed by French law. BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS cannot be held liable for damage of any kind, material or immaterial, resulting from improper use of the instruments. Complaints or disputes will always be received with kindness and attention, good faith being presumed in those who take the trouble to expose their concerns. BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS certifies that it has taken out civil liability insurance with a recognized insurance company and undertakes to provide proof of this insurance at the customer's request. In the event of a dispute, the customer will first contact the company to seek an amicable solution. Failing this, the Commercial Court of Nanterre will have sole jurisdiction, regardless of the place of delivery and the methods of payment accepted.

INSTRUMENTS

SECTION 1. Agreement of Purchase

When you purchase an instrument from BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS, you agree to the terms and conditions of the sale as outlined in this policy.

SECTION 2. Pricing

All pricing is subject to change without notice. Prices are inclusive of any applicable taxes and excluding delivery charges unless otherwise stated.

SECTION . Orders

After exchanging with you and creating the specification sheet for your new Belforti, we'll provide you with a detailed estimate encompassing all the unique specifications of your custom instrument for your review and approval. Upon your agreement with the given estimate, we will then issue an invoice for a non-refundable deposit constituting 30% of the total cost.

SECTION 3. Payment

Full payment is expected within 40 days after the completion notification is issued. If the payment is not received within this delay, the deposit will be held and the instrument sold to another party. All Belforti instruments are BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS’ property until final payment is received.

SECTION 4. Returns & Refunds

If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 14 days of receipt. Returns will be accepted for items in their original condition and packaging. A full refund, excluding any shipping costs, will be issued upon receipt and inspection of the returned item. Please note that custom-made instruments may not be eligible for returns or refunds unless there is a manufacturing defect.

SECTION 5. Wood selection

Only after receiving a complete order and a non-refundable deposit will Belforti Instruments provide the service of hand-selecting a particular piece of top wood for an instrument.
Any samples of premium woods that you have been shown may, at our discretion, be sold to other customers until an order and a corresponding non-refundable payment have been obtained.

SECTION 6. Delivery and production

Given the complexities involved in our crafting process, providing exact completion dates can be challenging. Sometimes, our predictions for these dates can extend well over a year, with the crafting duration of our instruments varying significantly based on their unique attributes, going from a few weeks to several months. We take the right to redo any part of the instrument that would not suit our high standards, our paramount priority is to ensure the delivery of top-notch quality. Enforcing strict deadlines could potentially compromise craftsmanship’s quality, since every instrument requires its own unique, unhurried time to reach perfection. Please keep in mind that the initially projected starting and delivery dates might shift between the time of your order placement and the beginning of the build.

Our production process is based on a very precise and organized schedule that allows a small company like us to produce our world class instruments in reasonable delays. For that, we pack our orders into batches so we can streamline production and optimize each step. Once we will have reached this step, your instrument will be assigned a spot in one of the following batches. Unless a spot is freed in a previous batch, in which case you will be notified, your batch number is definitive and you will receive a confirmation a few weeks before production starts. Modifications to your build will be possible until 14 days before production starts.

Upon payment of the non-refundable 30% deposit, you still have the option to cancel your order. However, the 30% deposit remains non-refundable and will be retained by Belforti Instruments. This helps us offset costs related to the consultation process, any parts ordered, and notably, the unoccupied slot in our batch and the rescheduling of the production.

SECTION 7. Warranty

All Belforti instruments come with a five-year fixed & non-transferable warranty covering any manufacturing defects. This warranty can be extended infinitely as long as the instrument is brought back at the shop for technical control and general care every year. This service is free of charges for customers, with the exception of shipping for international customers.
The Belforti Warranty does not cover the following :

  • Any harm brought on by negligence, abuse, or accidents

  • Instruments repaired or serviced by any unlicensed repairman

  • Instruments that have been maintained or repaired by the customer or another unauthorized party

  • Instruments that have been altered in any way, “upgraded” or modified

  • Normal "wear and tear", discoloration or damage to the original finish, worn frets, strings, tuners, hardware, and plating.

  • Shipping damage of any type, fall damage

  • Instruments bought from an unlicensed merchant or secondhand instruments

  • Instruments that have been exposed to extremes of humidity, heat, or temperature

  • Damage as a result of incorrect setup or configuration.

  • Any third party parts on the instrument, should they present an undetected defect within 3 months of delivery (electronics, hardware, case)

  • Instruments with altered serial numbers

  • Subjective issues, regarding tone, playability, aesthetics, or perception bias induced opinions

If a Belforti instrument presents a factory defect, and the defect is covered by this warranty, BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS will, at their discretion, repair the instrument, provided that the instrument is sent under reasonnable delay (with freight and insurance pre-paid) straight to the factory for repairs.
All repairs are covered under this warranty, and include labor and material costs, as well as "ground" shipping costs for the return shipment.

SECTION 8. Delivery

Instruments will be shipped upon confirmation of payment. The cost of shipping will be added to the total amount due unless otherwise agreed upon. BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS is not responsible for any delays caused by the shipping provider.
Full payment for your instrument and any additional accessories, inclusive of shipping charges, must be made before dispatch. Shipping will commence post-verification of the payment.
Please note that shipping costs are not encompassed in the total price and can vary based on the weight of the items. Your instrument will be delivered to the precise address you provide us. Therefore, ensure you give us your complete address details. Adherence to import and export regulations and the payment of relevant taxes falls under the purview of the customer/buyer.
We accept payments via credit/debit card, PayPal and direct wire transfers to our bank account.

SECTION 9. Liability

BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS is not liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use - or the inability to use - the instruments.

SECTION 10. Privacy Policy

All personal information provided during the transaction process is confidential and will not be disclosed to any third parties except for transaction processing and delivery of the product.
By purchasing from BELFORTI INSTRUMENTS, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these terms and conditions and agree to be bound by them.