Frequently Asked Questions
Q) I did a domain name search for "musicfolder.com" and found an address elsewhere, not Vancouver.
The internet service provider that hosts our mail is Island Net (www.islandnet.com), in Victoria. The company moved from Victoria to Vancouver in 1996, but Island Net still provides excellent internet services and there's no reason to change (the physical location of a web server is not important on the Internet). Our web site in hosted on a really fast dedicated secure server centrally located on the continent to serve pages fastest, we hope you appreciate that and that any slowness in delivery, isn't from things we can control.
All current company contact and location details are on the "Contact Us" page.
Q) I just found my removable ring adaptor but I forgot how to put it in!
- Find the loop of cord that goes over the top end of the center pin of the hinge, and remove that loop of cord from the top.
- This loop of cord is passed through the bottom hole on the adaptor from the bottom side, passed through each of the rings, and then passed back down through the top hole.
- Now you re-attach the looped end over the center post, where it was originally.
We find this attachment method is best, because the body of the ring adaptor 'rides' on the knuckles of the hinge so that it can rotate out of the way more easily when you're also using the available cords on either side. Really, the paper is supported by the folder itself and the rings are just keeping it all together.
Q) Is there a right-handed or left-handed version of your folders?
Q) Do you take credit or debit card payments?
Yes. Note: Prices on this US-region web site are in US dollars. VISA or VISA Debit and MasterCard and Debit MasterCards are accepted and billed directly in USD. Some folks are determined to use American Express* - see note at end. Transactions of all sizes are electronically authorized. Other payment methods are possible but using a card for payment is the best way to have your order en route to you as quickly as possible. For example, one can also use cheque, or purchase order at manager's discretion, but then there will be an order confirmation step and signature required by Fax after we've taken your information to create and send you an official invoice, which adds some time to your order processing.
*For those who are determined to, or whose departments require payments by American Express, that card is offered on the Canadian web site where prices are billed/invoiced in Canadian dollars and payment will be converted to USD according to your card's policy. You can switch sites (top left), and order from there for shipping to USA.
Q) Our budget is tight...how can I save money with Black Folders?
This is my favorite question. The first Black Folders were made almost 20 years ago and many 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 to buy music 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 our folders "outlast most singers in most choirs"!
Another reason to buy choral folders from Musicfolder.ca, is that, over those years, you will also be enjoying the many ergonomic and practical features that come with having the best music folders while you take advantage of the yearly cost savings of having the most durable folders. Some choirs with yearly membership fees add a few dollars, and can have them paid off over 3 years through that increase, while enjoying their folders for so much longer. The math and economics are simple when remembering these issues. See question 5 - "What's the best way to convince my choir to go for a set of black folders?" as well for more helpful information.
Q) 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 of choir folders 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 neighbors!
When people order a folder to show their own choir, and even take the initiative to show other local choirs the folders we produce, they can combine orders to have two or more choirs save significantly from the volume discounts on choir music folders.
Q) 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 fliers could ever do. One could extol the virtues of The Black Folder - its 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 (a deluxe version of The Black Folder, and a Choralex Compact or RingBinder, 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 fliers 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 minimum weight range, you pay THE SAME for shipping and handling when taking two instead of one. That more or less halves the shipping cost per folder - so take two! You can imprint your name or a friend's name (thank your librarian, your director, or your accompanist with an imprinted folder, for example) for only $5, so they make great gifts as well as split the shipping when you take two or more.
Q) I have a big concert! I need my folders "yesterday"…
Chances are, it can be done. We take pride in giving exceptional customer service. When out of the office, toll-free calls are often forwarded to the president's 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. Don't ignore the overnight music folder shipping - check the good rates that we'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 or even early evening, and still be able to have their choral folders arrive the next morning.
Q) I was faxing you my signed order confirmation (for cheque or purchase order) but I heard a voice, so I hung up right away!
Relax. The number is both a fax and a voice number. Don't even pick up the handset on your fax, just fax it as normal and leave it be. We know what to do when we hear "the beep", and our number accepts faxes and voicemails if the lines are busy, or if we're not here because business hours haven't started yet in our time zone. Occasionally we have had trouble receiving faxes from Australia & New Zealand for unknown reasons.
Note that you will usually have a reply to your e-mail, faxes and voice-mail within minutes or hours during the business day.
Q) I did a 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. The company moved from Victoria to Vancouver in 1996, but Island Net still provides excellent internet services and there's 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 "Contact Us" page.
Q) Do the double cords make the music 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").
Q) How do I add only an extra few adaptors, or more cords, or a clear pocket to my music folder?
There are two ways. We're still finessing a recent make-over of the web site and a few conveniences like these are lacking. The first solution is to phone us (use the toll-free number 1 877 246-7253) and we'll manually put your invoice together and help you with your order, including any number of extra or additional optional items. Secondly, if you are taking, for example, 20 Choralex Compact choral folders with the ring adaptor option, but you want 3 extra adaptors, just make 3 of those folders the 'double 3-ring' option and you'll get 2 sets of 3-ring adaptors with each of those folders...and end up with 3 extra sets of rings. You can do that online yourself (but we're happy to help). Note that volume discounts on our music folders only work for the exact same item with the same options, so be aware of this to help maximize your savings.