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Prices in U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to click on "Contact Us" at the left, and ask. Also feel free to e-mail a question that you would like to see answered here.

General questions

USA questions

 

General questions:

1. What is the difference between the EBF and ECBF versions of The Black Folder?
2. Is there a right-handed or left-handed version?
3. Do you take credit cards?
4. Our budget is tight...how can I save money with Black Folders?
5. How can I get the best per-folder price for my order?
6. What is the best way to convince my choir to go for a set of Black Folders?
7. I have a big concert! I need my folders "yesterday..."
8. Would the price be different if I were in Canada/ USA/ Mexico/ Sweden/ Hong Kong/ Brazil/ Kenya/ Antarctica...etc?
9. I called and heard a beep like a fax so I hung up right away...
10. I did a domain name search for "musicfolder.com" and found an address in Victoria, not Vancouver?
11. Do the double cords make the folder wider?

 

1. What is the difference between the EBF and ECBF versions?

The EBF is the standard version. The ECBF (deluxe) is improved over the standard version in that it has a detachable bottom cross strap, allowing it to open flat on a stand or your piano. It's also a little easier to load music into the folder when it can open flat. Both types now come with TWO double-stitched pencil holders - one in the top left and one and the top right panel. Singers, sorry, there's no longer an excuse for not being prepared with a working pencil :-)

The EBF (standard) version is $1.49-$1.70 USD less than the ECBF (deluxe), depending on the volume discount level. However, given the extreme durability and expected liftime of the folders, the vast majority of orders are for the ECBF (deluxe) version, when comparing those two versions.

(Point of interest: The new Choralex Compact folder is the next biggest seller after the ECBF (deluxe)).
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2. Is there a right-handed or left-handed version?

The hand strap on the folder is ambidextrous. There used to be a pencil holder in just the top of the right panel but we have now included pencil holders both in the top of the left and the top right inside the folder. Left and right-handed people now have a choice and room for a spare pencil.
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3. Do you take credit cards?

VISA and MasterCard are accepted in US dollars. American Express cards are accepted from the Canadian dollar web site (go back to musicfolder.com and choose Canadian dollar pricing) but you'll probably end up paying less at the end of the day if you avoid currency changes, so compare carefully. Transactions of all sizes are electronically authorized. Using a credit card for payment is the best way to have your order en route to you as quickly as possible, and can also save you money when currency exchange is involved, compared to a bank draft or cashiers' cheque.
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4. Our budget is tight...how can I save money with Black Folders?

This is my favourite question. The first Black Folders were made over 10 years ago and are still going strong! The quality and durability of The Black Folder is without equal. Therefore, on a yearly basis, you will be spending less on folders because they last longer, and you won't be replacing them every few years (or more often), as you would have to do with all other types of inferior music folders. The initial cost will be offset by your future savings, giving you more funds left over for music and your programme. My qualified guarantee is that The Black Folder "outlasts most singers in most choirs"!

Furthermore, over those years, you will enjoy the many ergonomic and practical features of this superb folder while taking advantage of the yearly cost savings of such a durable folder. Some choirs with yearly membership fees add a few dollars, and can have them paid off over 3 years through that increase, while enjoying the folders for so much longer. The math and economics are simple when remembering these issues. See question 5 also.
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5. How can I get the best per-folder price for my order?

You can get the best per-folder price on your order by reaching the best volume discount level that you can. When choirs in the same city combine their order into a single shipment, they can take advantage of price breaks, and a lower per-folder price for both choirs based on the total number of folders ordered by both choirs. Work with your neighbours!

I am very accommodating with separate invoices, etc...

When people order a folder to show their own choir, and also take the initiative to show other local choirs The Black Folder, they can combine orders to have two or more choirs save significantly.
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6. What is the best way to convince my choir to go for a set of Black Folders?

A folder in the hand does far more than printouts and flyers could ever do. One could extol The Black Folder's features, comfort, design, professionalism etc. for a long time, or just put an ergonomic Black Folder in a singer's hand, and not have to do so.

Take a folder or two (an EBF and an ECBF model, for example) and show them to your choir director(s), board and/or committee members and singers. Pass one around and listen to the feedback. If you ask, extra information flyers will be included for you to give away and/or photocopy for your choir. Because one or two packaged folders usually fall in the same weight range, you don't generally pay any more for shipping and handling when taking two instead of one. That effectively halves the shipping cost per folder - so take two!
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7. I have a big concert! I need my folders "yesterday..."

Chances are, it can be done. I take pride in giving exceptional customer service. If I can't take your phone call when you dial, it's likely because I'm on another call, singing, or sleeping. When out of the office, toll-free calls go to my mobile phone. That mobile number is +1 (604) 970-5489. Since business is done world-wide, please check the time first if you call that number directly. The current time here is 11:40 AM Don't ignore the overnight shipping - check the good rates that I've been able to obtain, or call for a custom quote if your location is not listed. If you've missed the cutoff and it is still possible to drive your folder(s) to the airport, yes there's a surcharge, but it can often be done. People on the East coast are often surprised to order 'overnight' late in the afternoon and still be able to have their folders the next morning.
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8. Would the price be different for folders shipped to Canada/ USA/ Mexico/ Sweden/ Hong Kong/ Brazil/ Kenya/ Antarctica...etc?

The pricing is the same, only the shipping costs differ. In countries that already have a national or stocking distributor, the price from the local distributor is probably a bit higher and that largely reflects the shipping costs, VAT and/or duty that may apply to commercial imports in that country; these costs have already been incurred on importation by your local distributor. However, you will likely pay much lower shipping within your country. The goal is to eventually have distributors in each country so that delivery times and costs are as low as possible. Please forward your local music store or choral organization to me. It is not difficult to become a distributor for The Black Folder.
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9. I called and heard a beep like a fax so I hung up right away...

More patience is required! If I am unavailable, you will hear a 1-second beep and a 2-second pause before the voice mail system begins. This allows for detection of incoming faxes as well. The number is both a fax and a voice number.

Note that you will usually have a reply to your e-mail, faxes and voice-mail within minutes or hours during the business day.
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10. I did an Internet domain name search for "musicfolder.com" and found an address in Victoria...not Vancouver???

The internet service provider that hosts this web site is Island Net (www.islandnet.com), in Victoria. My company moved from Victoria to Vancouver in 1996, but Island Net still provides excellent service and I see no reason to change (the physical location of a web server is not important on the Internet).

All current company contact and location details are on the "Company Information" page.

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11. Do the double cords make the folder wider?

No, the folder is the same width. The extra set of cords goes in the same hinge notches as the first set, so you now have a pair of cords through each notch in the hinge. The notches are approximately four millimeters apart (~0.16").


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USA - specific questions:

1. Do I have to do the US dollar / Canadian dollar exchange rate calculations?
2. I've used the worksheet to calculate the amount I have to pay using a cheque (or bank draft or international postal money order)...will I be charged exactly the same amount if I use my credit card?
3. What's the deal with UPS and possible brokerage fees?
4. Would there much of a price difference for shipping if International Distribution for The Black Folder were located in Seattle instead of Vancouver?

1. Do I have to do the US dollar / Canadian dollar exchange rate calculations?

No, you can just phone or e-mail if you like and I will do this. If you are ready to order you can call toll-free from the US or Canada at 1-877-246-7253. Note that "877" is a new toll-free prefix, like "800". I can work out your price right away. It may take a minute or two for me to verify the exchange rate.

E-mail is also great because I can answer your questions and carefully work out a quote for you, and show you how your price will vary with different options. Printing out and faxing in the worksheet (toll-free!) (on the "tools to help" page) is best because it prompts you for all the contact information and details that I need to answer you or create your quote or invoice.
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2. I've used the worksheet to calculate the amount I have to pay using a cheque ( or bank draft or international postal money order)...will I be charged exactly the same amount if I use my credit card?

No, you will likely pay just a bit less than the Canadian dollar worksheet amount, if you pay by credit card.

The bank that issued your credit card will set its own exchange rate (so I can't calculate that). However, it's a good deal for you. This is because the cash conversion (the conversion that you calculated in the worksheet) is generally about 4% above the "true" (inter-bank) rate, and the credit card conversion is generally only about 2% above the "true" (inter-bank) exchange rate.
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3. What's the deal with UPS and possible brokerage fees?

This was an issue in 1999 and earlier but I'm absorbing those costs for USA shipments now, to keep things simple. There are no applicable taxes or duty or brokerage charges on your folder shipments from Canada. If any shipping company tries this on you (I see it about one time in 500) please contact me immediately.

The savings in my not having to charge you state tax works very much to your advantage , especially with choir-size orders. If certain funding restrictions with grant money require you to purchase in-state, simply work with me to find a local music store to handle your purchase. Folders are capital items that are perfectly suited for funding applications.
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4. Would there be much of a price difference in shipping if International Distribution for The Black Folder were located in Seattle, USA instead of Vancouver, Canada?

Not anymore. On a box of folders, shipped across the States, I once calculated it to be $0.06 per folder less expensive from Seattle. However, since then (late 90's), I've obtained much better shipping rates, and there are still the advantages of no tax or duty on the folders. You're now taking advantage of the shipping prices I can offer due to the many tons of folders shipped each year.
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