Terms and conditions
General Terms and Conditions of Business (version 03.05.2026)
1. Scope
All deliveries and services arranged between you, the buyer, and us, Corilon violins GmbH., shall fall under the exclusive scope of these General Terms and Conditions of Business, called "GTC" hereinafter. The version valid at the time of the order shall apply.
2. Sole applicability
2.1 Our GTC apply to transactions between us and companies/business customers or private persons who are end consumers.
2.2. Contradictory terms and conditions of the buyer are only valid if we expressly agree to them in writing.
3. Object of the contract
The object of the contract is solely the sold product with the characteristics and features stated in the product description in the online shop. The images in our Online Shop serve as purely visual illustration and do not claim to be complete. Images of products are non-binding and may differ slightly from actual appearances (colouration, size, etc.).
4. Offers / Formation of the Contract
4.1. The presentation of products in the online shop constitutes an invitation to place an order and does not constitute a guarantee regarding the product descriptions. Our authenticity guarantee is set forth in Section 13. Since each instrument is one-of-a-kind, we reserve the right not to accept orders in individual cases. To try out multiple instruments, we offer in-person appointments in Munich—please schedule an appointment in advance.
4.2. By clicking the “Order” button in the final step of the ordering process, you, as the customer, place a binding order with us for the items in your shopping cart. The purchase contract is concluded upon delivery of the ordered goods to you—not upon receipt of the automatically generated order confirmation.
4.3. For payments made in advance or via PayPal, the contract is concluded upon receipt of payment. Please transfer the amount within 7 days of placing your order.
4.4. For orders placed outside of the internet, the contract is concluded upon the handover or delivery of the goods to you.
4.5. We do not offer products for sale to minors. All products may only be purchased by adults who are at least 18 years of age.
4.6. Reservations are only made in exceptional cases, as each instrument is a one-of-a-kind piece.
5. Registration
5.1. You can register as a customer in our online store and create a customer account. However, you can also place an order without registering first. When registering a customer account, the customer chooses their own username and password and is automatically logged into the system upon completion of the registration process. We reserve the right to suspend customer accounts in the event of violations of these Terms and Conditions.
5.2. Registering multiple accounts under different names or addresses is prohibited. In such a case we are entitled to block the user name and password.
6. Buyer's duty to inform
6.1. As our contractual partner, you must provide accurate information when placing an order and during registration. If your information changes during the term or execution of the contract, you are required to notify us of such changes immediately. If you fail to do so or provide us with incorrect information from the outset, we are entitled to refuse the order.
6.2. As our contract partner, you must ensure that the email account you provide is valid and accessible and that receipt of emails is not prevented due to forwarding, neglect, or filling of the account.
7. Cancellation Policy
7.1. Right of Cancellation for Distance Sales: As a consumer, you may cancel your contract within 14 days without giving any reason in writing (e.g., letter, fax, email) or—if the goods are delivered to you before the deadline expires—by returning the goods (please include a copy of the invoice). Excluded are custom-made products and commissioned works, such as the certificate of value confirmation. The period begins upon receipt of this notice in writing, but not before the goods are received by the recipient (in the case of recurring deliveries of similar goods, not before receipt of the first partial delivery) nor before we have fulfilled our information obligations pursuant to Article 246 § 2 in conjunction with § 1 (1) and (2) EGBGB, as well as our obligations pursuant to § 312g (1) sentence 1 BGB in conjunction with Article 246 § 3 EGBGB. To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient to send the cancellation notice or return the item in its original condition in a timely manner. The notice of withdrawal must be sent to:
Corilon violins GmbH
Lilienstrasse 2
81669 Munich
Germany
Email: [email protected]
7.2. Consequences of withdrawal: In the event of a valid withdrawal, the services received by both parties must be returned. If the goods have deteriorated due to improper use, we reserve the right to claim compensation for the loss in value. If compensation for diminished value is proven, proportional payment obligations may apply. You are only required to pay compensation for the deterioration of the item and for any benefits derived from it to the extent that such benefits or deterioration result from handling the item beyond what is necessary to assess its properties and functionality. “Checking the properties and functionality” refers to testing and trying out the respective goods, as is possible and customary in a retail store, but not to alterations or modifications to the instrument by you or by third parties.
Items suitable for shipment by parcel must be returned in the same condition as received, properly and securely packaged. The buyer bears the shipping costs for the return in accordance with statutory regulations. Obligations to refund payments must be fulfilled within 30 days. The period begins for you upon sending your notice of withdrawal or the item, and for us upon receipt thereof. Third-party transaction fees are handled in accordance with Section 10.6.
8. Extended 30-Day Return Guarantee
8.1. In addition to the statutory right of withdrawal, Corilon violins grants you an extended 30-day return guarantee for orders placed via our website. If you are not satisfied with an instrument purchased from us, please notify us within 30 days of receipt. We will refund 100% of the purchase price within 14 business days of receiving the instrument in undamaged and unaltered condition—no later than 45 days after delivery. The buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs in accordance with legal regulations. Third-party transaction fees are handled in accordance with Section 10.6.
9. Place of Performance/Transfer of Risk/Transport Damage
9.1. The place of performance for our delivery obligation is our company headquarters in Munich. For many years, we have taken all necessary packaging precautions to ensure that the instruments we ship reach you undamaged and safely. For all online orders, we assume the shipping risk and bear full responsibility for any transport damage. For returns, we provide our proven shipping packaging—it is designed for the safe transport of string instruments.
9.2. In legal transactions between us and businesses/commercial customers, the shipment of the ordered goods is at your risk. Our obligation to perform is fulfilled upon timely delivery of the goods to the supplier/carrier. Delays in delivery are solely the responsibility of the supplier or you.
9.3. For purchases by private individuals, the risk of loss passes to you only upon delivery of the goods.
10. Prices/Payment Terms/Shipping Costs/Cancellations
10.1. Prices: The prices listed in our online shop include the statutory value-added tax levied in Germany. Only the invoice prices at the time the contract is concluded are binding. Sales tax on old instruments and bows (used items) is calculated according to §25a of the German Value Added Tax Act (UStG) (“differential taxation”); in this case, sales tax is not shown.
10.2. Payment Options: You may choose to pay in advance (via bank transfer) or via PayPal/credit card. Delivery of the ordered goods will take place after the invoice amount has been credited to our specified PayPal or bank account. We reserve the right to limit the payment method to prepayment and to carry out further deliveries against prepayment. For transfers from abroad, any transfer fees incurred by the designated financial institution are to be borne by you.
10.3. Shipping Costs: Shipping costs are listed in our online shop under “Shipping Costs” and during the ordering process. Where free shipping is indicated, we deliver at no cost. Our free shipping applies to first-time purchases. For subsequent orders, as well as for customers who have personally visited and inspected the instruments, the following shipping costs apply: Violins, violas, bows: 19.50 EUR within Germany, 39 EUR within Europe, 59 EUR worldwide. Cellos: 99 EUR within Germany, 149 EUR within Europe, 299 EUR worldwide. Please ensure that the delivery address provided is correct and that the shipment can be received.
10.4. Late Payment: If payment in advance has been agreed upon, we are entitled to cancel orders for which we have not received payment within 14 days of order receipt.
10.5. Transaction costs: In the event of payment cancellation or order cancellation at the customer’s request, the customer shall bear any transaction fees incurred, such as credit card fees, bank charges, or exchange rate differences, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective payment provider.
10.6. Credit card fees: Corilon offers free payment options, in particular bank transfer. When paying by credit card, third-party fees apply, which are borne by the buyer.
11. Retention of title
11.1. The goods remain our property until full payment of the purchase price.
11.2. As the buyer, you are obligated to treat the delivered goods with care and report any damage, destruction, or third party access to the goods (for example, in the case of enforcement measures) to us immediately.
12. Remedy of Defects/Liability
12.1. For defects present at the time of delivery, we provide a warranty of 24 months for new goods and 12 months for used goods. Please inspect the instrument carefully upon receipt and notify us of any obvious defects within 30 days. In the event of a valid defect, we will remedy it, at your discretion, by repair or replacement.
12.2. Our liability is limited to damage to the delivered item itself. We are not liable for indirect damages such as lost profits—to the extent permitted by law. This applies accordingly to our employees and vicarious agents.
12.3. The foregoing limitation of liability does not apply if the cause of the damage is based on intent or gross negligence or if personal injury has occurred. Furthermore, it does not apply if the customer asserts claims governed by law. If we negligently breach a material contractual obligation, our liability for property damage is limited to the damage typically incurred.
13. Guarantee of authenticity
13.1. Corilon’s Guarantee of Authenticity protects you against counterfeits, copies, and imitations. Many of our instruments and bows are sold with certificates or appraisals from independent experts. If you have reasonable doubts about the authenticity of an instrument, please notify us in writing within 12 months of the date of sale.
13.2. For verification, please return the instrument to us within 12 months of the date of sale, along with a written statement from a recognized expert. Upon receipt of the undamaged instrument and the expert’s statement, Corilon violins will refund the full purchase price. The buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs. We recommend sending the return via insured and tracked shipping.
13.3. We assume no liability for consequential damages, such as lost profits from resale, resulting from defects in the determination of origin that were unknown to us.
14. Trade-In Guarantee
14.1. Instruments and bows purchased from us may be traded in at any time, provided you present the original invoice, if you wish to purchase a higher-value instrument from our selection.
14.2. Consignment instruments that we sell on behalf of others (A-inventory numbers) are excluded from the trade-in guarantee.
14.3. The trade-in applies to instruments of the same category—a violin can be traded in for a violin, a bow for a bow. The new instrument must be at least twice as expensive as the one being traded in. We credit 100% of the original price if the instrument is in well-maintained and original condition.
14.4. Normal signs of wear on the bridge, fingerboard, and varnish are acceptable. In the event of significant damage or necessary overhauls, the credit amount will be adjusted based on a professional assessment.
14.5. For overhauls, minor repairs, and new strings, we charge a trade-in fee of 250 EUR for violins and violas, and 500 EUR for cellos and bows (CITES) — see website for details. If more extensive restoration is required, the actual costs will be charged. Shipping costs are borne by the buyer. For international returns, we request a correct customs declaration in accordance with the value of the goods.
14.6. The decision regarding the acceptance, evaluation, and credit value of an instrument offered in trade-in is at our sole professional discretion.
15. Copyright and trademark rights
Corilon violins retains all copyrights and rights of use to objects we create and publish. Reproduction or use of photographs, graphics, audio records, video clips, and texts in other electronic or printed publications is prohibited without our express permission.
16. Applicable law
Only the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany apply, to the exclusion of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
17. Place of jurisdiction
If you as the buyer are a merchant, corporate body under public law, or special fund under public law, Munich shall be the sole place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from this contract. The same applies if you as the buyer have no general place of jurisdiction in Germany or your place of residence or habitual abode are not known when the action is filed.
18. Severability clause
If individual clauses or parts of clauses of these GTC are or become invalid, the validity of the remaining clauses shall not be affected.
Related information:
Library - text about the history of stringed instruments