Meridian Winds

Returning a Rental Instrument:

If you are local, please bring it to the store whenever is convenient for you.

If you are not local (Ann Arbor, etc.) and attend a school we service, please talk to your band director. Typically you can just let your band director know that you need to return the instrument and they will be able to make sure we pick it up when we visit, but if your band director gives you other directions, please follow those.

You are also welcome to ship the instrument back to the store, but you are responsible for the shipping and insurance if you choose to do so.

Exchanging for a Different Rental Instrument:

You will need to fill out another rental agreement for the new instrument. If you are local, we suggest you take care of that in-store so you can take the new instrument home with you; just bring back the original instrument and any included accessories and let us know you need to exchange it.

You can also fill out the rental application online and indicate in the notes that you would like to exchange; this is the best option for rental families who do not live locally. We will put together the new instrument rental for you and it can be delivered on the next school visit (or shipped to your home for an additional fee). We will expect to pick up the original rental instrument and any included accessories on the same school visit; please make sure the band director knows that we need to pick up that instrument and follow any directions they give you to return it.

What’s Included With My Rental?:

All instruments come with a case, mouthpiece, and the following accessories so your student will be ready to play!

Flute includes a cleaning rod and polishing cloth; Clarinet includes 3 reeds, cork grease, and a swab; Oboe includes 1 reed, cork grease, and a swab; Saxophone includes 3 reeds, cork grease, and a neck strap; Brass instruments include oil and slide grease.

The Bells Only Percussion Kit includes a 2.5 octave bell set, practice pad, stand to hold bells or pad, drum sticks, and bell mallets and the Bells & Snare Percussion Kit includes a 2.5 octave bell set, practice pad, stand to hold bells or pad, drum sticks, bell mallets, snare drum

Additional accessories may be purchased when you make your initial rental agreement payment, or visit our online store!

Other Common Questions:

How long do I have to rent until I own the instrument?:

This is dependent on the purchase price of the instrument and the set monthly payment; your monthly payments are applied to the purchase price of the instrument and you own the instrument once the total monthly payments equal the purchase price. A clarinet priced at $530 (including tax) would be 17 monthly payments of $30 and a final payment of $20. A saxophone priced at $1272 (including tax) would be 21 monthly payments of $60 and a final payment of $12.

How much will the instrument cost?:

The prices of instruments are set based on brand, model, age, and cosmetic condition, among other factors. Your rental agreement paperwork shows the total purchase price for your instrument. You are welcome to call or come into the store to see what we have available before completing a rental agreement.

Why do I need to rent through the summer?:

All of our rentals are rent-to-own so as you make your rental payments you are accruing credit toward the purchase price of that instrument. When you return a rental instrument you terminate your rental agreement and all accrued credit is forfeited; therefore we recommend renting through the summer if you plan to rent in the fall so you can continue building that credit towards owning the instrument. Your child’s band director is also hoping your child will practice over the summer, and they will need their instrument to do that!

Why do you need my driver’s license number?:

Your driver’s license information is important to have to help identify you if we need to report a loss or pursue a rental in default. We do not require your social security number but we do your driver’s license number.

Can I pay off my rental early?:

Yes, you may pay off your rental early if you like. There is no penalty for paying in full ahead of schedule.

What do I do when my credit card information changes?:

Please call us if your credit card information changes so we can update your payment information ahead of your next due date.

If you forget and your payment becomes past due, we will reach out to you by phone and email (email comes from rentals.meridianwinds@gmail.com) to remind you.

If we are not able to contact you by phone or email, we may send you a letter in the mail or ask the band director at your child’s school to let you know we need to get in touch with you.

I am a current rental customer and I am moving--what do I need to do?:

If you are moving out of an area we service it is especially important you contact us to resolve your rental. However, please reach out to us to update your address or any other contact information that may change even if you are only moving within your town/city.

What do I do if the instrument is broken?:

We include a maintenance program which covers most repairs that would be needed to keep your instrument in excellent playing condition during your rental term. There are exclusions, such as repairs needed as a result of malicious damage or abuse. More details regarding our maintenance program can be found in our Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions under the Service and Protection Agreement. All service must be performed by Meridian Winds technicians.