Orders and Shipping

Except in rather particular cases we always ship USPS Priority Mail; packages seem to survive better, we can track them, and it’s better to insurance.  We rarely ship without insurance and I’m sure you understand.  Basic shipping cost for us to send instruments is, of late, 25$US.  Shipping is more when sending internationally, so expect a quote for the shipping cost over the initial 25$US.  You can certainly pick up personally.  The price also increases for large items and for large packages of multiple items – please do contact us to inquire.  Sales made WITHIN Connecticut are subject to the addition of a 6.35% sales tax.

Other than USPS, we also utilize UPS and sometimes DHL.  All these choices, including personal pick up, are all we do… No fly-by-night carrier or shady dude with a box truck.  Please do not ask.

Our Japanese customers – 日本にお住まいの場合は、ケルトフルートショップの優れた友人から注文する方が簡単かもしれません。 ただし、ご希望であれば、直接お客様に発送いたします。

Currently we are using PayPal for online purchases; you see the “buttons” for each item.  We can take standard credit cards over the ‘phone if you prefer.  We are a small shop and typically ship once a week on Thursday or Friday.  We try to accommodate rush orders but please be patient with us; if you do not speak directly with someone on the ‘phone, we may be away from the workshop for the weekend or holiday.  But we’ll get right back to you when we get back.

Note to all customers:  Due to Covid having slammed the door on who I have working in the shop, I have been working alone for the past year, minus the occasional visit from Steven when the rare day he can get away from his own real job.  Wood takes time to adequately dry when being prepped for an instrument, then I usually make them in sets in case of a problem with one piece or another, then the pieces go to the engravers for my logo (and they can take a couple of weeks sometimes to get to my product) and then I complete the instrument, including the oil bath that takes a few days to dry.  I indicate on my website that not everything is in stock when you order and so expect some time for delivery, and I try to send the customer updates either directly or through social media on the process of their instruments.  Because of drying and settling time between certain stages, I engage in working on other projects to push them along, rather than just sit and look at the drying parts.  Please be patient as I am doing the best job I can with your instrument to ensure that you receive the best quality fife/flute/whistle I can provide.

Regarding rosewood and African blackwood for international sales – we can now resume sending instruments made of these woods, but we are still under some restrictions as to how much can be shipped in any one package; a single or even a few instruments of these two woods is not a problem, but large quantities may need to be broken down into several packages. are no longer offering these woods for export.    Mopane, Katalox, and Granadillo are excellent alternatives with no such concerns: Please inquire.  Here is a news story about what started it in 2017.