Saunders Recorders
Mail Order Information

(I'm very happy to be addressed as 'John'. Mr Saunders, Gordon, who started the business, has retired. My surname is Everingham.)

My order form sends me your information by email. Please, if possible, quote any reference number that you have been told or found on my site. Please check that any music you order is for the size of recorder you play. S is for descant (soprano) and A is for treble (alto). The bracketed words are international. All other abbreviations are listed here.

My order form now includes a box where your recognition that such data as you enter will inevitably be stored digitally can be registered. I hope that this meets the requirements of GDPR legislation. I have also revised and expanded my privacy statement (link below)

If you wish, you may visit me by appointment. Email is my preferred method of communication. The email link above will usually add a suitable subject line. I get so much spam that there is a risk that I may delete your mail at my server. I am wondering if mail with subject line 'time pieces' that I trashed along with fifty invitations to buy fake designer watches might have been a genuine mail relating ABRSM books. Unfortunately, its too late now. I don't use a spam filter. I found it more trouble that it was worth. If you do, check your spam folder. My replies sometimes end up in one. I have no idea why!

You can find my telephone number and mailing address by clicking here but please use the email address above if at all possible. Do not leave an email address on my answer phone, it can be impossible to work them out. Just send me a brief email using the link above. Now that I use a mobile phone text messages are a good alternative to email but please do not use text to send images. Its expensive for you and makes difficulties for me. A new regime started in October 2007 and you should not plan a visit without contacting me beforehand.

1. I work by personal service rather that automatic machines. There is no 'shopping cart' or computerized automatic billing. Orders are processed by me, John Everingham. I may be available on the phone during the working day and my smart phone checks email many times a day. If you wish to contact me please do it by email. I am now virtually 'retired'. You can expect email to be answered within 24 hours (excluding Sundays). Do check your 'spam' folder. If you don't get a reply please try again. I receive huge amounts of spam and may have deleted your mail by mistake.

2. Trial & Approval. I am prepared to negotiate depending on what you require. Conditions (pdf document 6KB]

3. If money has to be moved remotely PayPal is now my preferred option.

   Direct transfer payment via on-line banking is welcome. My account details are now printed on my invoices. This is primarily for the convenience of clients with a sterling account with a UK bank. Please let me know when you pay this way. Without prior agreement direct payment raises problems in identifying the credit to my account.

   Direct transfer from a non-sterling account or from a non-sterling cash deposit must be agreed beforehand so that I can explain the difficulties. I expect my clients to settle my invoices in full (its not unreasonable!). There are very significant charges for transfers from other currencies, and the option to add all charges must be checked.

   'Currency' transfers generate additional costs over and above the exchange rate. Such transactions must be agreed beforehand. If you pre-empt me and make a payment from which my bank deducts transaction charges, relying on my goodwill to absorb them, you may find that I will not consider the invoice 'paid'.

   Please be aware that direct transfer is not a protected means of payment but you may rely absolutely on my integrity. (Just Google me!) It is used mainly by business, corporate, and account clients. There has been publicity in the UK regarding scams associated with direct payments and I think you should be warned of its potential for abuse. For a vendor, a direct funds transfer is better than cash. There are no banking charges and the money arrives very quickly. But, should the vendor default on the agreement to send goods, there are no banking remedies or guarantees that would help you recover your payment. In the event of a refund of a payment made by direct transfer I will need your banking details. There is no security issue as money can only be 'pushed' into the specified account, and never 'pulled' from it. (I am not able to set up 'Direct Debits'. If you need extended credit you can get it from your card provider.)

   • Card payments direct to the business are not possible.

   • PayByLink has been replaced by PayPal.
        (I will email you a PayPal invoice, with a payment button.)

   • It is not necessary for you to have a Paypal account yourself.

4. Orders need to be paid for when I have confirmed them. My computer system stores customer information, including purchase history. Full credit account status is available on request.

5. Do not send me card information. I am no longer able to process card details.

6. If you have a query please check all of this page, my information page, and my lists before contacting me. Click this link for all topics. if there are no menus at the left and top of your screen and you are viewing this on a large screen.

7. I am happy to send anything anywhere, or you may visit me by appointment. For orders from official bodies, goods are sent on receipt of order. For individuals it depends on the value and how well you are known to the business.

8. If you are known to the business please do not be offended by a "Pro-Forma" invoice.

9. The minimum delivery charge (within the UK) is £3.00. This will cover music up to about 1cm. of thickness. Recorders are so thick that the minimum postage is now £4.00 but this will cover several plastic recorders. Supply is usually by return using the First Class service. My postal charges cover administration as well as the cost of the stamps. I use my judgement to reduce the charge for big orders. Valuable packages are insured, at a small extra charge. You can check postal rates at RoyalMail.com.

   Once a delivery has been made (and signed for where applicable) the goods become the responsibility of the addressee. Any return costs (including insurance) will not be reimbursed or credited other than by specially negotiated agreement.

10. If you have changed your address since you last ordered, please say so.

• Fax. I have disconnected my fax machine. It is a very long time since I received a genuine fax message.
  
  

• I am prepared, by arrangement, to accept payment for small invoices in euro notes.
  
  

• I am prepared to accept payment via the services of Western Union.
  
  

• I no longer accept cheques.
  
  

My phone (+ 44 (0) 7799 237 782) is a mobile. I do not always have it with me and I cannot pick it up if I am driving. Please leave a message if I do not pick it up. If you need advice please do not ask me to ring you back. Email me or try ringing again, later. I am more likely to be available in the morning than the afternoon.

If you do intend to leave a message, please be prepared, plan what you want to say, and give details slowly, there are some things which I cannot guess. Say "Hello" or something similar at the start, it helps the machine and improves the recording quality. Some of the messages I receive from mobile phones are broken and distorted. A quiet background helps. A recorder being played in the background can make it difficult to impossible to make sense of the voice message.

I have a camera and scanner readily available and can supply pictures (or even sound files) of most items on request.

I no longer sell music. You can use my lists to explore what is available.
When ordering music, please give as much information as you can, including the instrument. (With music the publisher can be very important.) Also, if you are in any doubt as to whether you will want to keep any item, please say so at the time of ordering.

PRICES

I am no longer registered for VAT and I have very few items for sale now. (I still have an active account with the UK Aulos distributor.) Delivery is not included in the price of the goods. There are no automatic price reductions for exports. However, I am open to negotiation regarding my residual stock. Ask me. At this stage in the life of the business I may be prepared to give things away.

I cannot make any firm statement regarding the level of such local taxes as may be imposed by the administration in your country. These are very much a lottery! However, it is rare for postal items to attract taxes. Such charges are much more likely to be levied on items transported by private carriers.

RETURNS & REFUNDS

My policy is generally to give full refunds. But if goods are returned after an unreasonably long time (typically, more that ten days) or are soiled or damaged I reserve the right to make a re-stocking or refurbishment charge. Do not attempt any modification, adjustment or apply any recorder oil. I am prepared to accept returns where there is no fault with the goods but they are found to be unsuitable. Please contact me first before sending anything back. (Do not invent problems in order to justify a return. An honest statement as simple as 'I don't like it.' or 'I can't get on with it.' is sufficient.) I do expect the postal charges to be met even when no purchase results from a trial.

PRIVACY POLICY