Abandoned & Unclaimed Property Policy
Purpose
This policy establishes procedures for managing abandoned or unclaimed property in the possession of Artisan Luthiers. Our policy, in our understanding, complies with applicable Georgia laws.
This Policy supercedes any oral discussions or informal communications regarding abandoned or unclaimed property, and related points.
General Scope
This policy applies to all property brought into Artisan Luthiers for repair, service, appraisal, restoration, storage, or other work, when the owner fails to retrieve the property within a reasonable time after completion, notice, or demand for pickup. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, instruments, cases, straps, tuners, patch cables, parts, tools, paperwork, records, music sheets, lyric sheets, receipts, personal effects or other items left in cases.
Customer Contact Information
Specific to contact information, it is the sole responsibility of the Client to provide Artisan Luthiers with correct contact information when items are brought into our business. At minimum, a working phone number and email address is requested. Customer is responsible for notifying Artisan Luthiers in a timely manner of any changes to contact information. Artisan Luthiers is not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by customer, or otherwise pursuing additional contact information.
Definition of Abandoned or Unclaimed Property
Artisan Luthiers reserves the sole Right to determine when any property meets the legal standing to be considered "abandoned" or "unclaimed". Generally, property may be considered abandoned or unclaimed when the owner (or their representative) has failed to:
- Pick up property within sixty (60) days of work being ready for pick up, and
- Pay in full, all amounts due to Artisan Luthiers as stated on Artisan Luthiers' invoice(s).
Notice to Owner
Artisan Luthiers shall make reasonable efforts to contact the owner using the most recent contact information provided by customer. Notice may be provided text message, email, or mail. The notice shall state that the property is deemed unclaimed or abandoned, the amount due, any applicable storage charges, and the deadline for retrieval.
Storage Fee
A daily storage fee of $1.00 per day may be applied beginning 30 days after the item(s) are brought into Artisan Luthiers. Storage fees will continue to accrue until the item(s) are retrieved, sold, or otherwise disposed of, but the total storage fee shall not exceed the fair market value of the item(s) deemed abandoned or unclaimed.
Disposition of Property
If the owner does not claim the property within the time allowed by law and/or the notice given, Artisan Luthiers may pursue any remedy permitted under Georgia law, including sale of the property. Regardless of amount received for any sale of property, Artisan Luthiers shall retain all proceeds, with no compensation of any kind due to customer. Generally, Artisan Luthiers will sell unclaimed property for the amount required to settle the outstanding debt (no profit on sale).
Legal Fees & Jurisdiction
In the event of legal actions, all interactions, agreements, and related matters shall be deemed to have occurred in Cobb County, Georgia. Customer agrees that Artisan Luthiers reserves the Sole Right to use a mediator to settle any disputes. Customer agrees to pay for ALL legal fees, court costs, attorney fees, and any related costs to settle disputes.
Records
Customer relieves Artisan Luthiers to provide original or copies of any records, statements, or documentation for our business.
Last updated April 17, 2026
Georgia Law Summary
Generally, property is deemed abandoned after 30 to 60 days, allowing for a public or private sale to recover costs, provided notice is given to the owner.
Under Georgia law, a service shop holding non-vehicle property (e.g., equipment, parts) can treat it as abandoned, thus subject to public sale of said property.
