The Squires Gate CD Try-Before-You-Buy Library Service is based on our Library Catalogue. This lists between 3000 and 3500 classical recordings – the crème-de-la-crème of the recorded classical repertoire including virtually all the CDs that earned a Rosette in the Penguin Guides, an indication that the guide’s reviewers found “something special.... unique... even magical” about each of them.
As a member of the Library Service you have access to these recordings on a listen-before-you-buy basis, and with no obligation to buy anything! This is an ideal way to audition a CD which you might wish to buy, but are not sure about. It also gives you an opportunity to explore – at home, in comfort, and listening, not in a booth, but on your own reproducing equipment. Subscribers are invited to indicate on the list those CDs they would like to listen to.
Free optional trial subscription to Squires Gate CD. This offer is made to you as a customer of our Specialist Supply Service if you make an order to purchase CDs to the value of £50 or more.
Here at Squires Gate, we have been offering a professional loan service of recorded classical music for over four decades. And we continue to do so.
The annual subscription is only £5.75 and this includes the first package of 3 CDs chosen from your personal selection.
Note: You can have discs either on a continuous regular basis or whenever you choose to request a selection.
Try before you buy!
The essence of a Subscription to Squires Gate CD is the chance it gives you to explore the musical repertoire, without making expensive mistakes in buying recordings which do not appeal to you. Simply send in your application form with your initial £5.75 Registration Subscription. You can also include an extra amount to be placed in your personal deposit account to pay for future loans.
Your first package of 3 CDs is sent without further charge, for a weekly loan period. Our staff will carefully select three compact discs which make a balanced musical programme and also match your musical tastes, as indicated on your application form. Your Catalogue/Request List accompanies this first despatch and is returned when you send back the CDs. On it you can indicate the recordings which you wish to be included in future parcels.
Regular or occasional borrowing.
Each time you return your CDs to us we shall usually make a further despatch (provided your deposit account is in credit, or pre-payment is sent). We normally send 3 CDs unless you ask specifically for more, or unless an opera or other set involves a greater number. Your CDs will be sent and charged on a weekly loan basis, unless you have requested a Fortnightly Service. However you need not borrow continuously. If you prefer you can borrow occasionally. Simply tell us when you return discs when you want us to make a further despatch. Or suspend and write and ask later for more CDs when you want them.
Your CDs are sent to you by first class post and we expect them to be returned by first class post. We can then immediately (unless instructed otherwise) send you a fresh selection, and provided you give us a wide choice of requests, the turn-round period should be no more than 72 hours (unless there are postal delays). The charge for hiring CDs is 1 UK pound per week, per CD borrowed. Late returns being charged pro rata.
Purchase CD's at bargain prices!
Every Compact Disc sent to you will be marked with its discount purchase price. Even when brand new it will cost less than the normal retail price. And as all the CDs in our stock are regularly marked down when they return from subscribers, you will find many reduced by 20% or more compared with normal list prices. Also if you buy a cd from those sent to you, its loan fee is cancelled and the amount is placed as a credit to your account.
Please send a remittance to cover the cost of a purchased CD and at the same time return both the outer and inner Library protective sleeves. We shall send you immediately the manufacturer’s plastic box and backing leaflet. Your deposit account will be credited with the hire charge for any CD purchased. You can, of course, have the cost of purchased CDs deducted from your deposit account, if it is sufficiently in credit.
The Service and Postage and Packing fee for each consignment of CDs must be prepaid. While you can, of course, send a remittance each time, it is much more convenient to open a deposit account with us. When sending your Registration Subscription, simply include an extra amount of say, £10 which will be placed to your account. Each time we make a despatch we shall indicate the balance held in your account and suggest when it needs “topping up”.
CD's retained for 3 months or more.
In the event of a customer retaining loaned CDs for a period of three calendar months then he or she shall be deemed to have purchased same, whereupon payment in full of the then current retail purchase price shall become due. Such a purchase cancels the outstanding service fees.