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UpFront Guitars and Music LLC

Tues-Thur 12-6pm
Fri 10-6pm
Sat 10-4pm
508-657-1817
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 Why UpFront?  |  Contact Us  |  View Cart  Family owned and operated
Voted Best in Music 2023!!Voted Best in Music 2023!! Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions


General


Why Buy from UpFront?

Shopping for quality musical instruments is sometimes a daunting task. Big Box stores offer lots of product – much of it rather generic – and often lack the service and knowledge to provide a satisfactory shopping experience. On the other hand, many independent retailers are focused on lessons and accessories, foregoing higher quality product in favor of starter packages. Lastly, the Great Recession of 2009 was particularly hard on both independent retailers and manufacturers, and many stores are just not carrying the level of gear that they used to.

Since we started in 2010, UpFront Guitars has worked hard to recreate the “vibe” that has gone out of shopping for quality musical instruments. The goal of UpFront Guitars is to offer a select range of product that is targeted at serious enthusiasts, players looking to move up to the next level, and gigging musicians. The products that we carry all offer high performance, exceptional fit and finish, and the quality and durability to stand up to the rigors of the road.

We love guitars, we love music, and we want to carry products that people get excited about, want to talk about, and share with their friends. Buying a piece of quality gear should be an enjoyable experience....it's a guitar not an appliance. So whether you shop online at UpFront Guitars, or make an appointment to try out gear, you'll be dealing with people who know the product, play the product, and can help you decide which piece fits your style and musical ambitions.

Lastly, in our efforts to be as "real" as possible, we photograph every product ourselves, test, play and set up every product, and write all our own descriptions. You'll see nothing on this site that has not passed through our hands for evaluation. We also don't "cut and paste" product descriptions or write ups from our manufacturer's website. If it's on our website, we're going to take the time to know the product and be able to tell you about it in our own words. The better we know the product, the better we can help you make the right choice.



Pricing/Payment Policy

Pricing:

We realize that it is a very competitive sales environment out there, and we will always strive to offer the best possible pricing. But part of our value to you is service and knowledge that you may not get at other retailers or mail order outlets. We’re not in the business to move merchandise: We’re in the business to connect musicians with the right gear to help them achieve their musical ambitions. Part of a great shopping experience is knowing that you’ve gotten the information and help you need to make the right decision, and that you really love your purchase.

We obey the MAP pricing requirements of the companies that we represent. The price you see in the product listing for any new piece of gear on our site is the MAP price. In some cases due to price changes etc. the pricing may differ from what you see elsewhere. Some companies require all product to be updated immediately when there is a price change, others allow rolling price changes as product sells.

Specific details or exceptions to MAP pricing:

  • Godin "SF" factory second or B-Stock guitars do not have to conform to MAP pricing, and will be priced at market value
  • Discontinued products do not have to conform to MAP pricing, and will be priced at market value
  • Rio Grande - All Rio Grande products are offered at 20% off list price
  • All other products are listed at their MAP or Dealer mandated "market" price

Price Matching - We will strive to match competitive quotes from other stores or online retailers. However, some stores are pricing product barely above cost, and we are seeing this happen more frequently. While the lowest price seems like a good thing for the consumer, it can have negative side effects. When retailers sell product super cheap it has the effect of devaluing the product, and over time this hurts the brand image and your resale value. Ultimately the "Wal-Mart" effect takes over where most dealers drop the product, leaving only a few mega-dealers, who now have the leverage to put more pressure on the manufacturer to cheapen the product. Ultimately, while we really want your business, we may decline to match a price where we feel that it is damaging to the brand, or our relationship with our manufacturers.

Customer Order Quotations - Custom order quotes for G&L guitars are always itemized, and in writing to that you can see exactly what you are getting. Our written quote forms also minimize the chance for errors and confusion. We know that you are free to take the quote to another dealer and say "beat that" but we hope that our being UpFront with you gives you the confidence to do business with us.

You Can Always Call - By law manufacturers have the right to set sales territories and advertised prices. But it is against the law to mandate a selling price. If you have a pricing question on anything you see on our site, please give us a call at 508-686-6697.

Payment:

  • Use our e-commerce shopping basket process. We accept PayPal, Master Card, Discover, Amex, and Visa directly through our website.
  • For ALL international orders (except Canada) PayPal is the preferred method, although some foreign bank cards can be accepted. If you plan to use a foreign bank card, please call or email. You can pay via credit card with PayPal without having a PayPal account!
  • If you prefer not to use e-commerce, you can call us directly at 508-686-6697 or 508-657-1817 and we’ll take your credit card, shipping and billing information over the phone
  • We can send you a sales invoice and your can enter your own PayPal transaction. Our email for PayPal is studio@upfrontguitars.com
  • For Layaway Options, we are happy to discuss layaway requests directly. We typically offer a 90-day, 15% down option through Paypal invoicing. Give us a call at 508-686-6697 or 508-657-1817 to discuss details.

Shipping:

  • For all shipments in the lower 48 states, shipping is typically FREE on new products unless stated specifically.
  • For Canada, Alaska and Hawaii please email for quote, we will offer discounted rate
  • For all international orders, please email for quote, buyer is responsible for shipping cost


Shipping Policy
  • For all shipments in the lower 48 states, shipping is typically FREE on new products unless stated specifically.
  • For Canada, Alaska and Hawaii please email for quote, we will offer discounted rate
  • For all international orders, please email for quote, buyer is responsible for shipping cost


Return Policy

Despite our best efforts to accurately describe and match our products to your needs, sometimes the "fit" just is not right. For those rare situations, we offer a 14-day return policy from the date that you receive the product, whether in the store or online.

Our requirements are simple:

  • Please, if you are not sure you are crazy about your purchase, do not take it on a gig or loan it to your friends! Avoid unintentional wear by removing belt buckles and zippered clothing before playing guitars. Leave protective plastic on guards, covers etc. and do not trim pickup leads. If a product is returned with wear/damage to the extent that we cannot resell it as new, there will be a 15%-25% restocking fee.
  • Please return the product in like new condition, with all original packaging, tags, warranties, certificates and user information.
  • The buyer is responsible for return shipping charges and must insure the product for the full purchased value. Any damage claims occurring during return transit are the responsibility of the buyer. Upon request I can send you a return UPS label so you get our shipping rate. I will deduct the shipping from the return.
  • Credit will be issued once the item is received and inspected at UpFront Guitars.
The address for return shipments is:
UpFront Guitars
2 South Maple Street #3
Bellingham, MA  02019

Thank You!



Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions: We make it simple and no funny fine print. Unless otherwise stated, we offer a 14-day return policy, and the buyer receives a full refund less return shipping. For specific details please see our Return Policy and Payments/Special Orders pages.

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which UpFront Guitars and Music LLC collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the www.upfrontguitars.com website ("Site"). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by UpFront Guitars and Music LLC.

Personal identification information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, place an order, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, mailing address, phone number, credit card information. Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

Non-personal identification information

We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Web browser cookies

Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How we use collected information

UpFront Guitars and Music LLC may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:

 

  • - To improve customer service
    Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
  • - To process payments
    We may use the information Users provide about themselves when placing an order only to provide service to that order. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service.
  • - To send periodic emails
    We may use the email address to send User information and updates pertaining to their order. It may also be used to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact us via our Site.

 

How we protect your information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over a SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures.

Sharing your personal information

We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others.

Changes to this privacy policy

UpFront Guitars and Music LLC has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Your acceptance of these terms

By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy and terms of service. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
UpFront Guitars and Music LLC Bellingham MA
508-657-1817
studio@upfrontguitars.com

This document was last updated on November 26, 2013