Thank you for reading this. It’s important we’re both on the same page.

Trials are only allowed for US customers. Earspasm does not offer international trials (including Canada).

You, the customer, are allowed 7 days from the date of receipt, as verified through UPS tracking on their website, to try the instrument.

Until the trial period is over, please do not use the mouthpiece (if one came with your instrument). If the mouthpiece is used, it will be returned to you and you will be charged for it.

If you have any suspicion you may be returning any instrument, please keep its original packaging.

If you are not completely satisfied with any instrument you receive from earspasm, for whatever reason, notify us via email within the 7 day trial period before returning the product. Please do not ship your instrument until you have received authorization.

Once authorized for a return, you will be issued and emailed a return label (which is less expensive than you paying to ship and insure it).

Bass Clarinet returns will be refunded in full, less Shipping (both ways), payment processor fee (3%), and an inspection/cleaning/prep fee (3%).

Clarinet returns will be refunded in full, less payment processor fee (3%) and an inspection/cleaning/prep fee (2%).

Exceptions to refunds exist. If you caused any damage to the merchandise by misuse, or if any accidental damage occurred during the time the instrument(s) are in your possession, you will be issued a pro-rated refund, less the repair costs. In extreme cases, we may ship the instrument back to you, and no refund will be provided.

We must receive your return within 10 days of the issuance of the Return Authorization. Returns received late will be charged an additional 10% late fee.

A few accessories are available on a trial basis. These include Bass Clarinet necks, Clarinet barrels, Backun mouthpieces, and Fobes mouthpieces. These accessories can be trialed for one week. If they show any damage, or signs of wear (mouthpieces MUST be used with the supplied teeth cushion. Any scratches on it from teeth or ligatures and I can't sell it as new, which means I will have to send it back to you with no refund.)

In certain cases, we may elect to accept a return of other items that, in our discretion, could be sold as new. However, these are limited, and are on a case-by-case basis.

VK1 reed trials are governed by their own trial terms found on their product page

To be clear, besides the items listed above, and our instruments, no other products are eligible for return.

You are responsible for inspecting the packaging and instrument immediately upon arrival. If damage has occurred in shipping, you MUST notify Earspasm immediately using the phone number or email provided inside the package, so that we can provide the steps you need to take. All claims of damage will be inspected by the shipping company (usually UPS), and claims must be made by the recipient, not the sender. This policy is common among all shipping companies.

Earspasm fully insures all packages for replacement value, so if damage occurs, we are both covered. However earspasm will not refund any items damaged during shipping if you fail to file a claim or fail to meet any of the conditions above.

Returns, unfortunately, are costly for us, because when we refund your credit card, processing fees are not refunded to us. We are charged 3% of the total amount refunded, and we pass this cost on to you.

Bass clarinets are mechanically complex, and we charge an additional 3% (on top of credit card processing fees) to cover the costs of this inspection and cleaning. Soprano clarinets are less complex, and as a result, the fee is 2%.

You may request to try multiple instruments. To do this, please contact us to arrange for these types of trials.

We generally will ship up to two soprano clarinets (with free two-way shipping) for you to try. Bass clarinets are more costly to ship, so we do charge shipping on those, both ways.

When trying soprano clarinets, we will charge only for the least expensive clarinet — not both. We will, however, keep your credit card information, and will charge your card accordingly if instruments are not returned on time.

As mentioned above, returns are costly for us, because when we refund your credit card, processing fees are not refunded to us. We are charged 3% of the total amount refunded, and we pass this cost on to you.

Bass clarinets are mechanically complex, and we charge an additional 3% (on top of credit card processing fees) to cover the costs of this inspection and cleaning. Soprano clarinets are less complex, and as a result, the fee is 2%.

Now, if you elect to keep one instrument from the trial, and return the other(s), we will charge only the processing fee (3%) and will waive the inspection/prep fee.

I must receive your return within 10 days of the issuance of the Return Authorization. Returns received late will be charged an additional 10% late fee.

As you prepare your return for shipping, please pack the instrument carefully, including any shims or packing material that came with the instrument.

If using the box the instrument came in, please remove or cover over any labels or markings. Place the label we send you, covering over any other label (or label remains) on the box.

Use clear tape over the entire label. This is especially important if you have an ink-jet printer, as liquid/rain will cause the ink to run, and the address to be illegible.

Once again, Bass Clarinet returns incur a two-way shipping charge, and a 6% restocking fee. This fee covers credit card processing costs that are not refunded to us, and to inspect, clean, and prep the instrument for the next customer.

Soprano Clarinets incur a 5% restocking fee. Shipping is free for soprano clarinets, both ways.

Instruments returned must undergo an inspection, cleaning, and re-regulation at my technician, and this is also costly. In fact, I ask him to inspect the instrument as though it was just sent from the manufacturer.

Bass clarinets are mechanically complex, and we charge an additional 3% (on top of credit card processing fees) to cover the costs of this inspection and cleaning. Soprano clarinets are less complex, and as a result, the fee is 2%.

The mouthpiece and accessories must still be sealed in the packaging with no evidence of use. If the mouthpiece has been determined to have been used (I check them very carefully), I will return it to you.

Once the instrument has been inspected, we will issue a refund to the original form of payment, less fees detailed above.

Note, however, inspection takes time, and that adds to the hold on your funds. Banks process refunds within 6-10 days. So, adding in the inspection process, you can expect to see your funds within 10-14 days.