Shipping policy
In this policy, "Houghton Horns," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Houghton Horns LLC. "You" and "your" refer to the customer.
General Shipping Terms
Shipping Method. Unless you specify otherwise at checkout, we generally ship small accessories such as mouthpieces or oils through USPS Ground Advantage, we generally ship sheet music and other printed materials through USPS Media Mail, and we generally ship instruments and cases through UPS Ground with signature required. The choice of shipping method for free shipping promotions is left to our discretion.
Delivery Dates. We do not guarantee delivery dates for any shipping method. Once we hand the package off to the shipping service, we unfortunately have no control over when it will arrive.
Pre-Orders, Special Orders, and Backorders. The shipping timeframes in this policy apply to in-stock items only. Some items in our store may be offered to you as a pre-order, special order, or backorder. When you purchase a pre-order, special order, or backorder, you are buying an out-of-stock product not yet in inventory. If your order includes one of these items, the ship date depends on the manufacturer's production and delivery schedule, international transit, and supply chain conditions, and we cannot guarantee a specific ship or delivery date. If the estimated date you were given when you placed your order has passed, please contact us at sales@houghtonhorns.com for an updated estimate; we will not be able to give you a more accurate estimate before then.
Mixed Orders. If your U.S. order contains a mix of in-stock and backordered items, we generally hold the entire order and ship it together when all items have arrived. At our discretion, we may approve requests to split fulfillment, send the in-stock items first, and send the backordered items when they arrive. If your international order contains a mix of in-stock and backordered items, we will hold the entire order and ship it together.
Lost or Damaged Packages. If the product arrives damaged, or if the package is lost, please contact us immediately to arrange for repair, replacement, or refund. Include photos and a description of the issue in an email to sales@houghtonhorns.com.
Shipping Addresses. You are responsible for providing us with a valid and correct shipping address. We are not responsible for packages that are lost or mis-delivered because of an invalid or incorrect shipping address. If a package is returned to us or sent to the wrong address, you are responsible for paying to have it shipped out again or paying for a replacement item.
Free Shipping Limits. Free shipping promotions are limited to three free shipments per product category within a three-month period.
Returns. Most purchases receive a 15-day return period, although there are some exceptions. Click Returns, Exchanges, and Refunds at the bottom of our website to read our refund policy or start a return, exchange, or refund.
Local Pickup
Local pickup is always free and welcomed. If you select "Local Pickup" at checkout, you will get an email notifying you that the order is ready for pickup within 1–3 business days.
You must retrieve items ordered via "Local Pickup" from Houghton Horns within 7 days, or we will cancel the order and refund you. If there are special circumstances and you need us to hold an item longer, please contact us.
48 Contiguous U.S. States
Standard Shipping. When you request free shipping or a domestic ground shipping service, we will ship your in-stock order within 3 business days. Your items should arrive in 3 – 7 business days depending on delivery location.
Expedited Shipping. When you request a domestic expedited shipping service, we will ship your in-stock order within 1 business day. Your items should arrive in 1 – 3 business days depending on delivery location.
1. New instruments and accessories
New instrument and instrument accessory purchases above $75 will receive free outgoing shipping to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. (Excludes Thein instruments, tubas, and other large, bulky instruments.)
2. Pre-owned instruments
Pre-owned instruments are not eligible for free shipping promotions, so you must pay outgoing and return shipping.
3. Thein instruments
Thein instruments are not eligible for free shipping promotions, so you must pay outgoing and return shipping.
4. Tubas and similarly large, bulky instruments
We offer a freight shipping option for tubas and instruments of comparable size. These items are not eligible for our free shipping or free returns policies. You can click the "Reserve Now" button on any tuba page to temporarily reserve a tuba and get a quote for freight shipping before you commit to purchasing. Local pickup is always free.
Alaska and Hawaii
Orders shipped to Alaska and Hawaii are excluded from free shipping promotions, so you must pay outgoing and return shipping.
Standard Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 3 business days. Your items will take an additional 2 – 6 business days for delivery beyond typical continental transit times.
Expedited Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 1 business day. Your items will take an additional 2 – 4 business days for delivery beyond typical continental transit times.
Other U.S. Territories and Possessions
Orders shipped to U.S. territories and possessions are excluded from free shipping promotions, so you must pay outgoing and return shipping.
Standard Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 3 business days. Your items will take an additional 2 – 6 business days for delivery beyond typical continental transit times.
Expedited Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 1 business day. Your items will take an additional 2 – 4 business days for delivery beyond typical continental transit times.
Fees. Shipping, taxes, duties, and customs fees are non-refundable. In addition, if we are charged any unexpected taxes, customs fees, or duties on your order for any reason, you will be responsible for these charges.
Government and Non-Profit Institutions
1. U.S. Military Addresses
We try our best to provide free shipping to our armed forces. For large objects such as instruments or cases, there may be size restrictions on UPS deliveries to your base that require us to make alternative paid shipping arrangements. We will contact you if there is an issue with the standard UPS Ground free shipping option.
Please send requests for quotes or purchase orders to sales@houghtonhorns.com.
2. Schools, Universities, and Other Government and Non-Profit Institutions
We try our best to provide free shipping to schools and other non-profit institutions. If your address is not accessible via USPS or UPS at normal rates, or if your order is under $75, we may have to contact you to work out alternative paid shipping options.
If you live within a few hours of the Dallas–Fort Worth area, we can also deliver large orders in person.
Please send requests for quotes or purchase orders to sales@houghtonhorns.com.
International Orders
International Orders. UPDATE MAY 12, 2025: Unfortunately, due to the tariff situation, we cannot offer returns, exchanges, or refunds on international purchases at this time. Currently, all international sales are final. We sincerely apologize for these circumstances and hope to resume international returns soon.
Orders shipped outside the U.S. are excluded from free shipping promotions, so you must pay outgoing and return shipping. We ship to most countries worldwide.
Standard Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 3 business days. Shipping time frames depend on various factors such as the items selected, the shipping destination, and the shipping method selected. Please be aware that UPS Worldwide DDP shipments may take 10–25 days to arrive, and consider an expedited service if your shipment is urgent.
Expedited Shipping. We will ship your in-stock order within 1 business day. Your items will take an additional 2 – 4 business days for delivery beyond typical continental transit times.
Fees. Shipping, taxes, duties, and customs fees are your responsibility and are non-refundable. In addition, if we are charged any unexpected taxes, customs fees, or duties on your order for any reason, you will be responsible for these charges.