Instrument Purchase & Donations

Instrument Purchase & Donation Terms & Conditions

MLC Retail Limited
Last updated: [Insert date]

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) set out how MLC Retail Limited (“we”, “us”, “our”) purchases instruments and accepts instrument donations from consumers and businesses.

1. Company Details

MLC Retail Limited
Registered in England & Wales: Company No. 09341697
VAT Number: 205-960-808
Registered office: 106 Carter Lane, Mansfield, England, NG18 3DH

We operate as an online and high-street music retailer and accept pre-owned instruments for purchase or donation.

2. Scope of These Terms

These Terms apply to:

Consumers selling or donating instruments
Businesses or sole traders selling or donating instruments
Goods including (but not limited to) guitars, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, accessories, orchestral instruments, and electronic music devices

These Terms do not affect statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, anti-money laundering requirements, or general contract law.

3. Sellers and Donors – Eligibility

3.1 Consumers

You must be:

At least 18 years old
The legal owner of the instrument(s)
Able to prove identity if requested (e.g., passport or driving licence)

3.2 Businesses

You must confirm:

You are authorised to act on behalf of the business
You can provide appropriate paperwork (e.g., invoices, asset registers)

4. Ownership and Legal Title

By selling or donating an instrument, you confirm that:

You are the full legal owner
The item is not stolen, counterfeit, or subject to outstanding finance
There are no third-party claims on the instrument
You will indemnify MLC Retail Limited for any losses arising from breach of this warranty (including police seizure or civil claims)

We reserve the right to perform checks (including serial number databases and police-approved systems).

If ownership cannot be verified, we may decline the item.

5. Condition, Inspection & Testing

All instruments are subject to inspection before an offer is made.

5.1 Initial inspection

We will visually and functionally assess the instrument, which may include:

Checking structural integrity
Testing electronics
Confirming serial numbers
Inspecting for damage, wear, or modifications

5.2 Limitations

Some faults may only become apparent during deeper testing.
We may revise or withdraw an offer if a hidden fault emerges.

6. Valuations, Offers & Acceptance

6.1 Offers

Our offer will be based on:

Condition
Market value
Repair or refurbishment requirements
Accessories / completeness
Current demand

6.2 Non-binding valuations

Any verbal or written valuation before inspection is indicative only.

6.3 Acceptance

A contract to sell to us only forms when:

You accept our final written or verbal offer, and
You hand over the instrument to us

Payment will then be processed as outlined in Section 7.

6.4 Accuracy of description

If your item was misdescribed (accidentally or deliberately), we may:

Reduce the offer
Decline the item
Return it to you at your cost (if collected by courier)

7. Payment

7.1 Payment methods

We may pay via:

Bank transfer
Store credit / part-exchange
Other approved methods (never cash over £1,000 due to security and AML reasons)

7.2 Proof of identity

We may require ID to comply with fraud and anti-money laundering regulations.

7.3 Passing of ownership

Ownership transfers to MLC Retail Limited only when:

Full payment is issued (for sales), or
You formally donate the instrument (for donations)

8. Donations & Charitable Contribution

8.1 Instrument donations

You may donate instruments to MLC Retail Limited free of charge.

8.2 Use of donated instruments

Donated instruments may be:

Refurbished & resold
Used in teaching settings
Used for community programmes
Provided to learners unable to afford instruments

8.3 Profit share for charitable purposes

A portion of profits from donated instruments will be donated to:

Music Learning Collective CIC,
to support music lessons, courses, and opportunities for members of the public who might not otherwise access arts education.

8.4 No reclaiming

Once donated, instruments:

Cannot be returned to you
Cannot be reclaimed
Become the sole property of MLC Retail Limited

We may decline any donation at our discretion.

9. Liability

9.1 Our liability

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for:

Death or personal injury caused by negligence
Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
Any rights you cannot exclude under law

9.2 Limits of our liability

We are not liable for:

Loss of earnings or business loss
Value fluctuations in the used-instrument market
Consequential or indirect losses
Accessories or items not listed by you
Damage that occurs during courier transport arranged by you

9.3 Customer liability

You accept responsibility for:

Ensuring the item is legally yours
Ensuring you have the right to sell or donate it
Providing accurate descriptions
Honouring warranties given in Section 4
Risk of damage during transport to us (unless we arrange collection)

9.4 Damage to instruments left for assessment

We take reasonable care, but:

Instruments already in poor condition may worsen during inspection
We cannot guarantee original finish or integrity on fragile/vintage items

10. Courier Collections & Drop-Offs

If you send items to us:

You remain responsible for safe packaging
You are liable for loss or damage in transit unless we arranged the courier
We recommend using an insured, trackable service

If we arrange the courier:

Risk transfers to us only once the courier has collected the item
We may refuse collection for inadequately packaged items

11. Withdrawal of Offer or Return of Item

We may decline or return an item if:

Ownership cannot be verified
The item is materially different from the description
The item is unsafe, hazardous or unsanitary
It cannot be economically repaired or resold

If returned, postage costs may be charged to you (unless the error is ours).

12. Data Protection

We process personal data according to our Privacy Policy, in line with:

UK GDPR
Data Protection Act 2018

Data collected includes contact details, identification checks and transaction records required by law.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

14. Contact Us

For queries about selling or donating instruments:

MLC Retail Limited
106 Carter Lane
Mansfield
England
NG18 3DH