Lonely Horns Ads
Ever wanted a matchmaking service, but for an instrument? Well, you've found us!
How It Works
- Interested buyers can fill out this Google Form. We'll add you to the chart below by number. We will not release your name or contact information to the seller.
- The buyer can email us at any time and ask us to take their request down.
- If a seller has a horn that matches the description of an instrument below, they can email sales@houghtonhorns.com. Please include the following information in your email:
- The buyer's number
- Make, model, and serial number of your instrument
- A description of the instrument. Include any distinguishing features (cut bell, gold brass, etc.); a description of the condition, particularly the condition of the valves; what you know about the approximate age of the instrument and its history
- Your selling price (remember to factor in a 10% commission for us)
- Photos of the instrument from every angle
- Photos and a description of the case, if it is included
- We'll pass this information on to the buyer. If they accept, they pay 50% of the sale price to Houghton Horns upfront, and we send the seller the notification to send the instrument.
- Seller will have 5 business days to deliver the instrument to Houghton Horns or drop it off at a shipping service, or the sale will be cancelled and the buyer refunded.
- We recommend you get insurance on the shipment and follow these steps to securely pack the instrument.
- Do not include small accessories such as mouthpieces or cleaning supplies in the case because they can bounce around and damage the instrument during shipping.
- Keep the receipt in case something happens and you need to make an insurance claim or get reimbursed for shipping charges.
- Once we receive the instrument, our staff will give it a quick inspection. We will verify the make, model, and serial number. We will check for obvious signs of damage such as dents, stuck bell rings, or locked up valves. We will run a compression test on the valves, and if there are concerns we will contact the seller and the buyer both before proceeding with the sale.
- If a serious issue is found by Houghton Horns, the buyer will have the option to back out of the sale or for a full refund at this point, and the seller will be responsible for any costs associated with having the instrument returned to them. We can also negotiate a price change.
- Otherwise, the buyer must send the remaining 50% payment plus sales tax and shipping fees to Houghton Horns within 5 business days. If we cannot promptly reach the buyer to receive the payment, the sale will be cancelled. The buyer will be refunded the initial 50% payment minus the seller's shipping costs.
- Houghton Horns is acting solely as a go-between and escrow service for this transaction. Houghton Horns will not do an in-depth examination of the instrument, and it is possible there will be issues with the valves, tubes, etc. that are not found until the instrument has been played on at length or professionally cleaned. The instrument will not receive any quality assurance guarantee or warranty through Houghton Horns. We highly recommend the buyer take the instrument to be evaluated by a qualified repair shop during the return period.
- After payment is received, we can ship the instrument directly out to the buyer, or they will have 5 business days to come pick it up from us.
- The buyer will receive a 15-day return period from the day they receive the instrument. During that window, they can return the instrument at their cost to Houghton Horns at any time for a refund minus the seller's shipping costs. Houghton Horns will return the instrument to the seller.
- After 15 days, the sale is final! The payment, minus Houghton Horns' 10% commission, will be sent to the seller the next time payouts are processed, which usually happens twice a month. (Note that according to the timeline described above there will be a gap of approximately a month between when the sale is finalized and when the seller will get the payment.)
How can we help you find the love of your musical life?
| Buyer Number | Instrument | Make | Model | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French horn | Undecided | Undecided | Full-sized single F horn with detachable bell | |
| 2 | Trumpet | Undecided | Undecided | Pre-owned piccolo trumpet for high school student | |
| 3 | French horn | Looking at Alexander, open to other options | Undecided | Descant Bb/High F | $4,000 |