How we work

These are the rules of the counter. The document that decides who carries what risk is the service waiver you sign when you drop an instrument off, and it is read to you before you sign it.

Quotes and prices

Everything on the price list is a flat rate, not an hourly one. Work that is not on the list is quoted only after we have had the instrument on the bench. We do not quote that kind of work over the phone, because a number given without looking is a guess.

A $20 diagnostic covers looking at it properly, and it comes off the job if you go ahead. Non-standard instruments carry $30 on a setup, listed on the price list. Every 5th visit is half off.

Changes while it is here

If the work turns out to be more than we quoted, we stop and send you a new estimate. Nothing beyond what you approved gets done, and nothing beyond what you approved gets billed.

Paying

Payment is collected at the counter when you collect the instrument. We do not email invoices. Square, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal or cash.

Collecting it

We tell you when it is ready and we hold it for you. An instrument left more than 30 days after it is ready may be treated as abandoned under the waiver you signed, and storage may be charged at $10 a week. We will try to reach you first; we do not act on this automatically.

If something is not right

Play it before you leave. If something feels off after you have had it a while, bring it back and we will make it right. Ask at the counter, or use the number on our listing. The Bench is in Amarillo, TX.

Insurance

We do not currently carry insurance on customer instruments. We say so out loud at drop-off, the waiver says so in writing, and we photograph the condition of everything that comes in. We would rather tell you that than let you assume otherwise.