You should be! You probably have concerns on several accounts:

Dear Squeezebox Enthusiast:
The Home for Wayward Accordions is a home-based enterprise run by accordion teacher and performer Wendy Morrison. That's me. I know from personal experience that it is pretty risky to buy anything over the Internet from someone you don't know, but especially for used musical instruments. And even more so in the case of accordions and concertinas, due to the fact that they tend to hide their defects from the casual observer. You can throw away your money buying an accordion or concertina at an internet auction. Particularly when you buy from an individual, you have no idea what you're going to get. Even reputable music shops may not be very knowledgeable about squeezeboxes, especially used ones. In contrast,

 

I am.

 

I've been playing accordions since 1963

I've served as the accordion & concertina specialist at the House of Musical Traditions since 1982, and

I've been selling instruments, new and used, over the Internet since 1995.

 

I'd like to make it as easy as possible for you to make an informed decision about purchasing any of my instruments, or from HMT. Note: I do not evaluate instruments you want to buy from another individual or store, or on eBay.

I am always willing to play an accordion over the phone, and if you are close enough to visit, I will gladly show you the instrument in person.

If you have any concerns which are not addressed by following the links on this page, please send email to info_at_waywardaccordions.com
Thanks for your patronage.

Wendy Morrison

Condition of Used Instruments

• Unless otherwise noted, there are no major fixer-uppers: used instruments listed are in decent playing condition, essential repairs have been made.
  • Exc. condition means all the mechanical parts are in proper working order, it is in good tune, it is cosmetically clean, the keyboard is level, the bellows are tight and show little if any signs of wear, the keys are not noisy.
  • VGC (very good condition) means all the mechanical parts are in proper working order, it is in acceptable tune and plays well, but there may be some minor cosmetic wear, chips, or scratches, or some slight wear on the bellows, some key noise or a few keys very slightly off but not affecting playability.
  • More serious flaws are spelled out specifically for each instrument.
  • I do not gloss over defects that I am aware of at the time of description - if I notice any problem with an instrument when it is received, I spell it out, and as a professional player, my standards are higher than average. You will notice, as you read the descriptions, that I have listed many problems I've encountered. Please be assured that I am representing these instruments to the best of my ability. Please inquire via email for current status of any instrument you are considering purchasing, as condition can change over time with ambient changes.
    
• Ladies or spinet sized PA's listed are equipped with approx. 5/8" or 11/16" keys, narrower than the standard full size 3/4" keys. At the full complement of 41 keys, this would be a keyboard of around 17". A 16" or 16.5" keyboard with 41 keys indicates very narrow keys, around 9/16", which is a size suitable for young students but somewhat awkward for adults with larger fingers. Please check key size before ordering.
• All instruments come with case and straps unless otherwise noted.
• About Used Accordions: repairs & maintenance, advice on purchasing, how to check out the condition of a used accordion. Email discussions about buying used accordions.
• Warranty & return policy on accordions
• For more detailed advice on identifying, selecting, purchasing, and maintaining used accordions, see "The Pretty Complete Guide to Squeezeboxes".

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"If it doesn't work out, will you give me a refund?
(or can I resell it, trade it in, consign it)"

IMPORTANT: Used accordions, especially older ones, are often quite susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, unless they have been recently overhauled (a considerable expense). They may sit happily on the shelf for weeks, and then suddenly develop a behavioral problem, such as a spitting or growling reed, or a reluctant button. It is impossible for me to check out the status of each reed and button on each instrument in stock on a daily or even weekly basis, which is why I check them before shipping.

Shipping is to be avoided when possible on vintage squeezeboxes (over 50 years old). After shipping, older accordions and concertinas may develop problems -- buzzing or silent reeds, sticking keys, rattles, strange harmonics -- that were not there when they were in a different environment. Because of this, I don't guarantee them.

I will gladly absorb any minor repair costs necessary before shipping, but if unexpected repairs exceed a certain cost, it may no longer be possible for me to sell the instrument at the same price as before. In this event, you may opt to have the instrument shipped as-is, in which case it will not be returnable. See more on used instruments at Used Accordions.

Trade-Ins: I may occasionally be willing to accept a trade-in of your used instrument in good condition. Inquire via email.