Purchasing musical instruments

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Billie
Posts: 117
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:12 pm

Purchasing musical instruments

Post by Billie »

Does anyone know anything about a scheme for buying musical instruments VAT free through schools?

I have seen mention of it on some music sales websites.
My DS plays the piano. He has lessons at his state primary school (London Borough - Bromley).

At home we have a keyboard and he is getting to the stage that he needs a full size one - he is about to take grade 2.

The area music service have told me they can't help because they are a charity and can't reclaim the VAT, but to ask the school, however they don't seem to know anything about it.
From what I have found there may be a problem anyway as there may be a requirement the actual instrument has to be used for the lessons and the keyboard (or probably a digital piano) would stay at home. Is it correct it wouldn't be available for a piano/keyboard??
Any info appreciated. Thanks
Billie
solimum
Posts: 1420
Joined: Wed May 09, 2007 3:09 pm
Location: Solihull, West Midlands

Post by solimum »

We've done this twice for musical instruments, one for my son's bassoon and once my daughter's violin. In the first case, we ordered the instrument through the shop and it was delivered by the supplier direct to the school, I think with the violin we had ordered directly and had two on approval, the finances were sorted out via the school once we'd decided. It's fairly straightforward, our Head of Music seemed fairly clued up about it as did the school finance manager.

A couple of online music shop websites set out the procedure

http://www.netmusicalinstruments.co.uk/ ... cheme.html
http://www.dawkes.co.uk/aips.asp

and this is a Customs clarification

http://www.dawkes.co.uk/hmcustoms.asp

which does imply that the instrument should be portable, and taken to school for regular lessons as part of the curriculum. This might imply that you could get away with some keyboards but not necessarily a larger digital piano which isn't designed to be regularly dismantled.
Marylou
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:21 am

Post by Marylou »

Agree with Solimum - we also have used this process twice (and saved quite a bit :) ), however I'm sure you are right to say that it only applies to portable instruments. You might be able to stretch a point with a keyboard, though, but probably not in this case if your son has lessons on a school piano and you are purchasing the instrument for home practice.

If you find you are able to obtain the instrument this way, then it has to be delivered to and paid for by the school (i.e. you reimburse the school net of VAT) and "handed over" on the school premises.
Marylou
moved
Posts: 3826
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:42 pm
Location: Chelmsford and pleased

Post by moved »

We bought a second hand Yamaha electronic piano on ebay. It has been fantastic and doesn't need tuning. Plays just like a real piano. My son is now grade 4 and this is still entirely suitable.
happymummy
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:46 pm

Post by happymummy »

We bought a piano on Ebay - only cost £5 plus £70 for a piano specialist to bring it it us. It was a real bargain - there are loads of old pianos around usually people sell because they are moving and cannot take it with them, definitely worth thinking about. Our piano tuner only charges £40 and the children love it.
Bewildered
Posts: 1806
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:29 pm
Location: Berkshire

Post by Bewildered »

Keep an eye out on Freecycle also. Seen quite a few piano's come up over the last year. Only thing is that you would need piano specialist movers cost to pay, and a tuner of course.
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

We recently purchased a piano (digital) as DD has been taking keyboard lessons at school but didn't like the teacher so swapped to an outside teacher for piano.

Keyboard we didn't get anything off and piano we definitely didn't get anything off.

When we looked into a piano we chose digital because it never needs tuning and will take her right through to grade 6 before we even need to start considering another model.

Whilst a sedond hand piano might seem attractive, the cost of tuning it each year and pssibly repairing it once purchased make it a very expensive option for someone just learning it (and possibly giving up in a year or two's time).

Just our take on it - but we haven't regretted moving her from keyboard to piano or buying a piano to practice on - she practices every day out of choice and it's wonderful to hear how she's progressing.
Image
Billie
Posts: 117
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:12 pm

Post by Billie »

Thanks for all your helpful comments.
jemima
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:17 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

new piano

Post by jemima »

I bought a second hand piano for £100 ten years ago (second hand piano shop delivered). This piano has seen all four children learn from grade 2-diploma. They have used it every day extensively and it has to be the best money ever spent. Last week I bought them a baby grand from second hand piano shop - if we get the same value for money it will be fantastic. Older children grade 7,8, and above HATE keyboards and digital (which they have in school). have to say the tone og the new piano is lovely.
Y
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:49 pm

Post by Y »

This buyback scheme might be interesting to you. You buy the instrument up front, and then if your child gets fed up, the shop will buy it back again:

http://www.rosehillinstruments.co.uk/ac ... _back.html
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