Refund policy
GIRDER MUSIC LLC
RETURN, REFUND, SHIPPING & INSURANCE POLICY
Last Updated: October 23, 2026
Thank you for shopping with Girder Music. We take great care in packaging and shipping your music to ensure it arrives safely.
Please review the following policies before placing your order. These terms explain our procedures for pre-orders, shipping, returns, refunds, manufacturing defects, damaged merchandise, and optional shipping insurance.
These policies apply to purchases made through GirderMusic.com and are subject to applicable consumer protection laws.
1. PRE-ORDERS — ALL SALES FINAL
ALL PRE-ORDERS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW.
Pre-orders allow customers to reserve merchandise before its official release or arrival.
By placing a pre-order, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
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Pre-orders cannot be canceled, refunded, credited, exchanged, swapped, split, or modified once the order has been placed.
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This includes accidental orders, duplicate orders, changes of mind, manufacturing delays, or changes to anticipated release dates.
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Pre-orders will not ship until the product becomes available.
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Release dates are estimates and may change due to manufacturing, licensing, distribution, transportation, or other circumstances beyond our control.
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All merchandise purchased together will ship together when the final item becomes available.
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In-stock merchandise ordered with a pre-order will be held until the entire order is ready to ship.
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We cannot separate or partially ship an existing order.
IMPORTANT: If you want in-stock merchandise shipped immediately, please place a separate order from your pre-order merchandise.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge these pre-order conditions.
Nothing in this section limits remedies required by applicable law, including those relating to merchandise that cannot be supplied.
2. SHIPPING & ORDER FULFILLMENT
Girder Music takes pride in carefully packaging merchandise for safe delivery.
CD Shipping
CD orders are generally shipped in high-quality bubble mailers or rigid protective envelopes.
Orders containing more than five CDs will generally ship in a box for additional protection.
Shipping methods may include USPS Media Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail, UPS, FedEx, or other available services.
Vinyl Record Shipping
Vinyl records are packaged using heavy-duty record mailers with protective padding and stiffeners to minimize damage during transit.
Domestic vinyl orders generally ship through USPS Media Mail unless another available shipping method is selected during checkout.
Other shipping options may include USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, UPS, FedEx, or economy services that use multiple carriers for final delivery.
Combined Orders
All items purchased in a single order ship together when the entire order is available.
Girder Music reserves the right to combine separate shipments when operationally appropriate to reduce packaging waste and improve shipping efficiency. Combining shipments does not automatically qualify an order for a shipping refund or adjustment.
Shipping Delays
Once a package has been transferred to the shipping carrier, delivery times are subject to the carrier's operations.
Weather, holidays, transportation interruptions, customs processing, and carrier delays may affect delivery.
Estimated delivery dates are not guaranteed unless an applicable shipping service expressly provides a guarantee.
3. SHIPPING ADDRESS CHANGES
Customers are responsible for entering an accurate and complete shipping address during checkout.
If you need to request an address correction, please forward your original order confirmation email to:
Include your order number and the complete corrected shipping address.
Please wait for written confirmation that the address has been updated.
Submitting a request does not guarantee that an address can be changed.
Address changes may not be possible once an order enters processing or shipping.
We are unable to accommodate shipping address changes for international orders outside the 50 United States.
Packages returned because of an incorrect, incomplete, or undeliverable address may require additional shipping charges before reshipment.
4. INTERNATIONAL ORDERS, CUSTOMS & IMPORT FEES
International orders may be shipped through USPS, UPS, or other available international carriers.
International customers may be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, brokerage charges, and other government-imposed fees.
Where available, customers may have the option to prepay estimated duties and taxes during checkout.
Unless expressly included in the checkout total, import-related charges remain the responsibility of the customer.
Customs inspections and international shipping delays are outside Girder Music's control.
Undeliverable international shipments and packages returned because of unpaid import fees are not covered under our optional shipping insurance.
5. OPTIONAL SHIPPING INSURANCE
SHIPPING INSURANCE MUST BE PURCHASED AT CHECKOUT FOR ELIGIBILITY UNDER OUR OPTIONAL SHIPPING PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Girder Music offers optional shipping protection to help customers resolve qualifying problems involving lost, stolen, or damaged merchandise during transit.
Orders without purchased shipping insurance are not eligible for benefits under this optional program.
Shipping insurance is separate from our manufacturing-defect procedures and does not eliminate any rights or remedies provided by applicable law.
Coverage is subject to claim deadlines, supporting documentation, verification, and the exclusions described below.
Insurance Claim Deadlines
Domestic Orders (USA)
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General shipping insurance claims must be submitted within 30 business days of the shipment date.
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Claims involving visible shipping damage must be reported within 7 calendar days of delivery.
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Lost-package claims may be submitted after 21 business days from shipment if the package has not been delivered.
International Orders
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General shipping insurance claims must be submitted within 90 business days of the shipment date.
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Visible shipping damage must be reported within 7 calendar days of delivery.
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Lost-package claims may be submitted after 8 weeks from the shipment date if the package has not been delivered.
Carrier Claim Requirements
Carrier-specific claim procedures may impose additional requirements.
USPS claims should be reported to Girder Music within 30 calendar days of shipment, and UPS claims within 60 calendar days, to allow sufficient time for review and carrier processing.
Customers should report visible damage immediately rather than waiting until the end of the general insurance claim period.
Claims submitted after applicable deadlines may be denied under our optional protection program.
Insurance Exclusions
Optional shipping insurance does not cover:
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Packages returned as undeliverable because of incorrect or incomplete customer-provided addresses.
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Packages returned because import duties or customs charges were not paid.
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Ordinary wear, cosmetic imperfections, or conditions that do not qualify as shipping damage.
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Manufacturing defects, which are addressed separately.
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Damage occurring after successful delivery that is unrelated to shipping.
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Claims without reasonably requested supporting documentation.
Insurance benefits generally apply to the affected merchandise and do not include the original shipping charge unless expressly stated or required by law.
6. HOW TO SUBMIT A SHIPPING INSURANCE CLAIM
To submit a claim, email:
Please include:
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Your order number.
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Your full name.
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Your complete shipping address.
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Your telephone number.
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A description of the issue.
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Clear photographs of damaged merchandise, when applicable.
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Photographs of the shipping box, mailer, and packaging materials, when requested.
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Video documentation when needed to demonstrate a playback issue.
Please retain the original shipping box, packaging, and damaged merchandise until your claim is resolved.
We may request additional information to verify the claim or complete a carrier investigation.
Once your claim has been reviewed, Girder Music will communicate the available resolution by email.
Depending on the circumstances, an approved claim may result in replacement merchandise, a replacement component, store credit, a partial refund, or another agreed resolution.
If a return is required, please wait for instructions before shipping anything.
Do not purchase a return shipping label and assume that the cost will be reimbursed. If Girder Music agrees to provide prepaid return shipping, we will issue the label directly.
Payment disputes or chargebacks will be handled through the applicable payment provider. Filing a dispute does not automatically eliminate rights under applicable law.
7. MANUFACTURING DEFECTS — CDs, VINYL & OTHER MEDIA
Manufacturing defects are separate from shipping damage.
Examples may include:
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CDs that will not play correctly because of a manufacturing defect.
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Missing audio or tracks.
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Significant manufacturing scratches affecting playback.
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Vinyl records with verified pressing defects.
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Vinyl records with severe warpage preventing normal playback.
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Incorrect or defective merchandise caused by a manufacturing error.
Reporting a Manufacturing Defect
For domestic orders, please contact us within 90 calendar days of shipment.
Email orders@girdermerch.com with your order number, a description of the defect, and photographs or video when appropriate.
Manufacturing defects may require physical inspection or testing.
If we approve a domestic manufacturing-defect return, we will provide instructions and a prepaid return label when applicable.
Following receipt and verification of the defective merchandise, Girder Music will generally issue a store credit in the form of a gift card equal to the purchase price of the affected product.
Where appropriate under our manufacturing-defect procedure, the original shipping amount associated with the affected product may also be credited.
We aim to process approved store credits within 48 hours after the returned product has been received and inspected.
Replacement merchandise may be offered when available.
These procedures do not limit remedies required by applicable law.
8. WARPED VINYL RECORDS & PLAYBACK ISSUES
Vinyl records are manufactured from plastic and may have slight waves, unevenness, or minor variations in flatness.
These characteristics do not automatically indicate a defective record.
A record must demonstrate a significant playback problem to qualify as defective due to warpage under our standard policy.
Before Requesting a Return
For minor warpage or instability, customers may consider using a record weight or stabilizer clamp, provided the accessory is appropriate for their turntable.
These accessories may help improve tracking on certain records with minor warpage.
Requirements for a Warped Vinyl Claim
Customers must provide video documentation clearly showing:
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The record rotating on the turntable.
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The visible warpage.
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The stylus jumping, skipping, or losing proper tracking.
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The resulting interruption in audio playback.
Send the video to:
Playback Standard
Girder Music does not ordinarily replace records solely because they are not perfectly flat.
If a record plays correctly without the needle jumping or disrupting playback, it generally does not qualify for a warpage replacement.
Inspection & Testing
Returned records may be tested on our equipment.
If the record plays properly during our inspection and does not meet our defect criteria, the claim may be denied.
In such cases, the customer will be responsible for the cost of shipping the record back.
Please do not return vinyl without prior authorization.
9. DAMAGED VINYL JACKETS — SEAM SPLITS & CORNER BENDS
We understand that record collectors value the condition of their vinyl jackets.
Despite careful packaging, minor seam splits, corner bends, or other cosmetic damage can sometimes occur during shipping.
Domestic Orders
Customers must report qualifying shipping damage within 7 calendar days of delivery.
Email orders@girdermerch.com with clear photographs demonstrating the damage.
If an extra replacement jacket is available, Girder Music may provide one.
If a replacement jacket is unavailable, an approved claim may receive a $3 store credit issued as a gift card.
International Orders
When replacement jackets are available, we may include an approved replacement jacket with a customer's next order.
If no replacement jacket is available, an approved claim may receive a $5 USD store credit issued as a gift card.
Replacement jackets are subject to availability and verification of qualifying damage.
Minor manufacturing variations and ordinary cosmetic imperfections do not automatically qualify for replacement.
10. GENERAL RETURNS — 30-DAY POLICY
Eligible regular-priced merchandise may be returned within 30 calendar days from the original shipment date.
To qualify for a standard return:
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The merchandise must be new and unused.
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Factory-sealed merchandise must remain unopened and sealed.
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Merchandise must be in the same condition in which it was shipped.
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Original packaging must be included when applicable.
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Proof of purchase or an order number is required.
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The return must be authorized by Girder Music.
Opened CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, cassettes, vinyl records, and other factory-sealed media are not eligible for ordinary returns.
Returns outside the stated return window may be declined.
Customers are responsible for the cost of returning merchandise unless the return is caused by an error by Girder Music or we expressly agree otherwise.
Original shipping charges are generally non-refundable for voluntary returns.
Return Authorization
Before returning any merchandise, email:
Include your order number, the item being returned, and the reason for the return.
Do not ship merchandise to Girder Music without receiving return instructions.
Unauthorized returns may be refused or delayed.
11. NON-RETURNABLE MERCHANDISE
The following items are generally not eligible for ordinary returns or refunds:
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Pre-orders.
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Vinyl records.
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Opened CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, software, or video games.
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Gift cards.
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Downloadable digital products.
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Products containing or bundled with digital downloads, including RipStream™ and RipstreamNOW™.
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Sale and clearance merchandise.
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Merchandise specifically identified as final sale.
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Used merchandise or merchandise missing original components.
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Products damaged after delivery for reasons unrelated to Girder Music.
These exclusions apply to voluntary returns and do not eliminate remedies for qualifying manufacturing defects, fulfillment errors, shipping protection claims, or rights required by law.
12. SALE ITEMS — ALL SALES FINAL
ALL SALE AND CLEARANCE ITEMS ARE FINAL SALE.
Regular-priced merchandise may qualify for return under the eligibility requirements described in this policy.
Sale merchandise, clearance merchandise, and products specifically marked final sale are not eligible for ordinary returns, exchanges, or refunds.
This includes merchandise purchased during promotional events and special sales.
Qualifying manufacturing defects and other legally required remedies remain subject to their applicable procedures.
13. RETURN SHIPPING PROCEDURES
Once your return has been authorized, follow these instructions:
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Package the merchandise securely, preferably using the original shipping materials.
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Include your receipt or order confirmation.
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Include your full name, email address, and order number.
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Identify the merchandise being returned.
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Ensure factory-sealed merchandise remains unopened.
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Ship the return only to the address provided in your return authorization.
Return Address:
Girder Music LLC
Attn: Returns Department
[CURRENT RETURN STREET ADDRESS]
[SUITE OR UNIT, IF APPLICABLE]
Wilmington, NC [ZIP CODE]
Do not send merchandise to the manufacturer.
Customers returning merchandise for reasons other than Girder Music's error are responsible for return shipping charges.
We recommend using a trackable shipping service.
For merchandise valued over $75, we recommend purchasing shipping insurance.
Girder Music is not responsible for customer-arranged return packages that are lost before reaching our facility, except as required by law.
14. REFUNDS & STORE CREDITS
Once an authorized return has been received, we will inspect the merchandise to determine whether it qualifies for a refund or store credit.
Customers will be notified by email when the return has been reviewed.
Approved Refunds
Approved standard refunds will generally be issued to the original payment method.
Processing times vary depending on the payment provider or financial institution.
Store Credits
Store credits are issued electronically in the form of Girder Music gift cards or store credit codes.
Store credits may be used for eligible future purchases.
Partial Refunds
In certain circumstances, Girder Music may offer a partial refund or store credit as a discretionary resolution.
Examples include minor cosmetic damage, an incomplete return, or an agreed adjustment for an affected product.
Customers should not assume that opened, used, damaged, or otherwise ineligible merchandise will qualify for a partial refund.
Late or Missing Refunds
If an approved refund has not appeared:
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Check your bank account.
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Contact your credit card provider.
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Contact your bank regarding processing delays.
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If the refund still cannot be located, email orders@girdermerch.com.
15. PRICE CHANGES, SALES & DISCOUNTS
Girder Music regularly adjusts prices based on inventory, availability, market conditions, supplier costs, promotions, and demand.
Prices may increase or decrease without notice.
We do not provide retroactive price adjustments or refunds because an item is offered at a lower price after purchase.
This includes:
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Price reductions.
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Flash sales.
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Promotional events.
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Clearance pricing.
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Newly announced discounts.
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Changes in product availability or market value.
Coupon Codes
Customers are responsible for entering valid promotional codes during checkout.
Coupon codes cannot ordinarily be applied retroactively after an order has been completed.
We do not refund the difference when a customer forgets to enter a coupon code.
16. EXCHANGES & REPLACEMENTS
Girder Music does not offer general merchandise exchanges for changes of mind or customer preference.
Exchanges and replacements are generally limited to:
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Verified manufacturing defects.
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Incorrect merchandise shipped by Girder Music.
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Qualifying shipping damage.
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Other circumstances expressly approved by Girder Music or required by law.
Replacement merchandise is subject to availability.
If the original item is unavailable, Girder Music may offer store credit, a comparable replacement, or another appropriate resolution.
Customers must obtain authorization before returning merchandise for an exchange.
Email orders@girdermerch.com for instructions.
17. GIFTS
If an item was designated as a gift at the time of purchase and shipped directly to the recipient, an approved return may be issued as store credit to the gift recipient.
If the merchandise was not designated as a gift, approved refunds will generally be returned to the original purchaser's payment method.
All gift returns must meet the eligibility requirements described in this policy.
18. LOST, STOLEN & UNDELIVERABLE PACKAGES
Customers are encouraged to monitor tracking information provided by the shipping carrier.
If a package appears delayed or missing, please contact Girder Music with your order number and tracking information.
Lost Packages
For optional shipping insurance claims:
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Domestic lost-package claims may be submitted after 21 business days from shipment.
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International lost-package claims may be submitted after 8 weeks from shipment.
Claims must also comply with the applicable overall insurance deadlines.
Stolen Packages
Packages reported as delivered but believed to have been stolen will be reviewed based on available tracking information, carrier records, and the terms of any purchased shipping protection.
Coverage is not automatic and may require additional documentation.
Undeliverable Packages
Optional shipping insurance does not cover packages returned because of incorrect addresses, delivery refusal, unpaid customs charges, or other customer-related delivery issues.
Additional shipping charges may apply if reshipment is requested.
Nothing in this section eliminates legal rights relating to merchandise that was not delivered.
19. CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION & CLAIM RESOLUTION
Email is our primary method of communication for returns, refunds, shipping claims, and merchandise issues.
Customers are responsible for monitoring their email inbox, including spam or junk folders, after submitting a claim.
We may request additional photographs, videos, shipping information, or other reasonable documentation.
Failure to provide necessary information may prevent us from verifying or approving a claim.
Please do not dispose of damaged merchandise or packaging while a claim remains under review.
20. CONTACT INFORMATION
Girder Music LLC
Website: GirderMusic.com
Customer Service: orders@girdermerch.com
For all returns, refunds, exchanges, manufacturing defects, damaged merchandise, shipping insurance claims, and order issues, please contact us by email with your order number.
IMPORTANT: All returns require prior authorization. Do not mail merchandise to an address shown on an old packing slip or an outdated website page. Use the return address provided in your authorization email.
21. POLICY AGREEMENT & APPLICABLE LAW
By placing an order through GirderMusic.com, you acknowledge the policies and conditions applicable to your purchase.
Girder Music reserves the right to update its policies from time to time.
Changes will be published on our website and will apply as permitted by applicable law.
Nothing in this policy is intended to waive, restrict, or eliminate consumer rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Where applicable law provides a remedy that differs from our standard voluntary return or shipping protection procedures, applicable law will govern.