Delivery & Shipping Information

At Alan Yates Music we carefully pack and ship a wide range of items including accessories, strings, parts, cases and musical instruments.

Every order is prepared with care so it arrives safely and in the same condition it left us.

We aim to dispatch orders within 2 working days of receiving payment.

United Kingdom Delivery

Free delivery is available anywhere within the United Kingdom.

Most shop orders are sent using Royal Mail, with larger or higher-value parcels sent via Parcelforce or courier services where appropriate.

As a general guide:

• Orders up to £19 – Royal Mail 2nd Class
• Orders £20 – £149 – Royal Mail Tracked 48
• Orders £150 and above – Royal Mail Special Delivery or courier service

These services provide appropriate tracking and insurance depending on the value of the item.

If you require a specific courier or faster delivery service, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss available options.

Packing & Shipping Instruments

When shipping musical instruments we take additional care to ensure they travel safely.

Where appropriate we use protective wrapping, internal stabilising materials and reinforced outer packaging.

Higher-value instruments may be sent via Special Delivery or courier services to provide suitable tracking and insurance.

To reduce unnecessary risk during transport, fragile or valuable instruments are not dispatched on Fridays, preventing parcels from being held in transit over a weekend.

International Shipping

International customers are welcome.

Because shipping costs vary depending on parcel size, weight, destination and courier service, international orders are arranged directly with us rather than through automatic checkout.

If you are located outside the United Kingdom and wish to purchase an item, please contact us and we will provide:

• a shipping quotation
• available delivery options
• estimated delivery times

No payment is required until you are happy with the shipping arrangements.

International customers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes or import charges required by their country.

U.S. Customers

We regularly assist customers in the United States and are happy to arrange international shipping where possible.

Many instruments originally manufactured in the United States (for example Gibson, Fender or Martin) may qualify to re-enter the USA as “U.S. Goods Returned.”

In certain circumstances this may allow the instrument to enter the United States without import duty, provided the appropriate customs documentation is completed.

Where applicable we are happy to provide supporting information confirming U.S. manufacture. All customs decisions remain at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Shipping Destinations

Alan Yates Music ships orders throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.

We regularly assist customers from the United States, Europe and other international destinations. International shipping is arranged individually so that the most suitable delivery service can be selected for each order.

Delivery Instructions

If you have any specific delivery instructions, such as a safe place or delivery note, please include these during checkout and we will pass them to the courier where possible.

Delivery Inspection

When your parcel arrives we recommend inspecting it as soon as possible.

If the outer packaging appears damaged during delivery, please notify the courier and contact us as soon as possible so we can assist.

If any issue with the contents is discovered after delivery, please contact us promptly and retain the original packaging where possible, as this may be required if a courier claim needs to be made.

Seasonal Delivery Periods

Bank Holidays
Please allow additional time for deliveries during UK bank holidays.

Christmas Period
From late November through the Christmas season postal services experience extremely high demand. Delivery times may be longer than normal during this period.

After Dispatch

Once your order has been dispatched it is in the care of the postal or courier service.

If you experience any delivery issues please contact us and we will do our best to assist in resolving the matter.

Our aim is always to ensure every order arrives safely and in the condition it left us.