We just moved to South Carolina after losing our homes in two different hurricanes. Our credit took a toll after losing everything we had twice. It's been a rebuilding nightmare, especially after we learned that my identity was stolen about 6 months ago.
When I picked my son up from private school a few weeks ago, he has a flyer for learning to play the cello. He was beyond excited. I signed him up for the classes, and went to rent the instrument at this store. We never knew there was a credit check (defeats the purpose of calling it a rental), and this was after I called them and asked about the process...twice. It was not even mentioned at the sign-up. I've rented my own musical instruments in the past without credit checks.
When I entered this store, the employee called to someone in the back, ""Can someone give me a crash course on sizing a kid for a cello?"" This actually never even happened. He went to the back and came out with a cello, stating, ""This will work for him."" Imagine my child's excitement, please. Put yourself in his shoes.
Then, he says, ""Oh yeah, I need to do a credit check."" My heart sank. There isn't any mention of this on the flyer, not with the phone call, not with the welcome at the center, nothing. I asked to speak to the manager, and he talked to me as if I were a criminal, never really even talked to me with eye contact, and conducted this in front of other customers. I was so embarrassed...more so for my son...who was bursting into tears. The manager then told me no one would ""rent"" to me. Please understand that I have money. My credit is only a part of a huge mess. I would have been willing to pay for an instrument. That wasn't even offered. My husband is a therapist, and I am a nurse. We were prepared to make a purchase if needed.
The rental comment is not true. There are other organizations that you can RENT from online. Just look. I ended up just buying it out right because it was cheaper in the long run, since he has already fallen in love with it with a friend's cello. I was able to be my son's hero, but I wonder what they make people feel like that don't have that alternative. I am hoping people know to look online. They CAN deliver without a credit check...It's a little more expensive, but they are also guaranteed and applicable towards a purchase if desired.
MusicRentalCentral with the dot com is an excellent source.
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