Shipping: When you contact me to order an instrument, I'll need your ZIP code in order to calculate a shipping estimate. U.S. orders of instruments are usually shipped via UPS, and international orders are shipped via the U.S. Postal Service, unless the buyer specifies another carrier. I will not mark your purchase as a gift, declare a lower value, or commit any other customs fraud, so don't ask. When I ship, I'll send you the tracking number via email.

All string orders are shipped via the Postal Service.

I work 50–60 hours a week and have many other responsibilities in addition to Emando.com, so some orders can take a day or three to ship. If you need your item by a specific date, please notify me when you order.

Custom string orders: I've tried to set up the site so you can order a string set made up of any gauges I have in stock. If you know what you want but don't see it listed, just e-mail me at and we'll work it out.

48-hour approval: When buying an instrument from Emando.com, you have 48 hours after receiving it to try it out. You may decide to return it, for any reason at all, as long as you notify me within that 48-hour period. Return shipping is your responsibility. Upon receipt of the instrument in the same condition as when it was sent, I'll refund the purchase price (minus the nonrefundable PayPal fee if you paid with PayPal).

If you need to, you may negotiate a longer approval period in advance. But once that period is over, the instrument is yours to keep.

Shipping damage is rare, but it has happened. If you notice shipping damage, you must report it to me within the approval period. I'll work with you to file an insurance claim. You must also save the box and all packing materials; in some cases you'll need to turn them over to the claims inspector along with the instrument. For damage reported within the approval period, you have the option of receiving a refund once the claim is processed. For damage reported after the approval period, I will still work with you on a claim, but you are financially responsible for the instrument.

Used vs. new: As a rule, instruments sold by Emando.com are used. On rare occasions I may take a consignment of a new instrument directly from a luthier, but it's not my usual practice.

Payment: For domestic orders, I can accept PayPal, cashier's checks, credit cards (with Square, usually via a phone call), or postal money orders. For international transactions, PayPal seems to be the only safe method of payment.

If you see something you like but are short of dough, you can set up an installment plan. I try to be flexible.