So what about rental plans for my student saxophone, is this the best option?
Like anything else, there are some good ones and some bad ones. Like I mentioned in the very beginning, my parents got stuck in a bad one, like I know many other parents do. When I say a bad one, I am referring to the fact that in the end, the student is stuck with a saxophone that is maybe worth $300 - $500 and just spent that last three years paying a total four to fives times the actual value of the saxophone.
The key to finding a good rental program for your student saxophone is to look at the following factors:
- Rentals can be good if they allow you to do buy outs at a reasonable price. Look for rental programs where the end rental price is not even 15% more than what the student would pay for the saxophone when it is on sale.
- Also look for rental plans that are around 24 months or less. Most companies rent for three to four years, only racking up more and more interest.
- Find out if the company allows the students to buy out the saxophone at anytime, and if so, how much is the buy out compared the actual sale price. I know many rental programs will offer a buy out at a 30% discount, but this is 30% off the final payout, which is usually 4 to 5 times more than the actual value of the saxophone.
- See if, you can you return the saxophone at anytime without major restocking fees. Make sure to ask this, because I am sure that most of the major companies do charge this and in the end, you can wind up with a hefty bill after returning the saxophone.
- Check to see if general repairs are covered in the monthly fee? Your student will most likely need to have the saxophone serviced every now and then and this should be covered in the monthly
fee, if not, then you will be held responsible for these fees and instrument repair is not cheap.
fee, if not, then you will be held responsible for these fees and instrument repair is not cheap.
- Is your child getting a brand new instrument? Most companies have been around for so long, they are stuck with out dated and over abused instruments that they then use to rent to your student. The crime here is that you are paying a premium price each month and getting an inferior student saxophone; but it is happening all over America even now as you read this, only because parents don't know any better.
- What is the company that is renting the student saxophone to your child doing to help support your child’s' band program? Many of the top rental companies look at you and your child as one thing, a money sign. They thrive off of your lack of knowledge about musical instruments and the student saxophone industry. I personally recommend that you find a company that has chosen to partner with the local school programs and give back in time, talent or finances. This could include companies that have a local school representative to assist the band with clinics and master classes, that give cash back rebates and free instruments directly back to the school, or provide discounts with related organizations within our network to help reduce the overall costs for the music program.
All of the information in this article has come from my personal experience as a saxophone player who began at age 11 and now almost 25 years later, is one of the owners and operators of a saxophone company in the United States that produces both a student and professional level saxophone. I encourage you to do your own research and find what you feel is the best saxophone for your child. We hope this article has been informative and will help you to make the wisest decision possible. Thank you and be blessed.
Mark Wigginton
President
CE Winds
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