New Baldwin Model R ( Urgent!!! Delivery problem )

[ingagroznaya]

I am seriously considering buying a new Baldwin Model R. Being a teacher, do you think I can negotiate a better price then what a dealer gave me? It's $25,070.00 plus tax so far. I did not really negotiate at all. Should I? How far?
I am confused about all that bankruptcy/new owner deal.  Perhaps, someone can educate me?

I am only a teacher... I like the sound and the touch.

[gfiore]

Where is the dealer located?  It's actually a good price.

[Axtremus]

I agree with gfiore that $25k for a new Baldwin R is a "good price" when compared among new Baldwins.

I'd also add this - consider this list:

• Estonia 190
• Kawai RX-5
• Petrof III
• Yamaha C3

You can comfortably get any of the above, new, well within or around $25k. So shop around, play lots of pianos, then decide.

And yes, you should negotiate.

Good luck.

[iumonito]

Or you can get a Maestoso for around half of that, which IMO will outperform any Baldwin of that size any day.

Maestoso is a remanufactured Nordiska (the raw piano is made in China) made in Maryland by Pianocraft.  I have played a few of them.  They are remarkable for their price.

Good luck.  If you love the Baldwin, try to knock 5,000 off the price; a little more if you have your own trusted technician (because the dealer will likely not be the one doing the servicing of the piano).

[jolly]

Or you can get a Maestoso for around half of that, which IMO will outperform any Baldwin of that size any day.

Maestoso is a remanufactured Nordiska (the raw piano is made in China) made in Maryland by Pianocraft.  I have played a few of them.  They are remarkable for their price.

Good luck.  If you love the Baldwin, try to knock 5,000 off the price; a little more if you have your own trusted technician (because the dealer will likely not be the one doing the servicing of the piano).

They're somewhat similar to the Fandrich concept - take a basic decent quality Chinese carcass, restring and prep to the nines. Keith Kerman does a nice job with them, by all accounts.

Lastly, the current Baldwin crop is not worth the 25K asking price. For 25K you can probably get the new Charles Walter, which will run rings around the R. Do some searches on the Pianoworld and the Piano Facts forums for opinions on the new CW.

My opinion, YMMV

[iumonito]

Yep, I agree.

[ingagroznaya]

Guys, help! It's urgent.
I have a problem with delivery, don't know how big this problem is... I have one very tight corner, where it could be potentially impossible to get the piano in the house through the door. Delivery guy was here today to check the situation. He said " Yes, it's very tight ( he showed me one centimeter  I knew it without him...I wanted to hear a better news ), but we should be able to pull through".

Seller gone down in price to fit my needs ( now the price is 23,000 something ). Because I am afraid of the delivery complications I asked the seller to take responsibility for a delivery. It's not that much money to lose the sale over it ( so far delivery guy quoted $320 ), but he ( the seller ) has given me a firm " no ".

From what I understand he also does not want to deal with potential headache if piano does not fit through the door. I mean, getting a crane here to get the piano in the house would probably cost me another 5,000, no?  I am not saying getting the piano "in" is impossible at all.
Tonight I'm feeling even more concerned than ever , based on the seller respond.

Any words of wisdom?

The owner of the store had to speak to me on his day off and the reasons/examples that he gave me to made his point meant one thing - he had signed up for a delivery deal before and it cost him more then expected.

[pianistimo]

advice given to me is to make sure that you get professional PIANO movers and that they take the legs off and simply reattach them once in location.  but, being like you - i am extremely nervous about the idea of buying a piano and then worrying about the moving.  maybe you shouldn't commit yet!

i think some stores DO include the moving.  ask around some more.  maybe this is an indication that this might not be the exact piano for you.  check into the Charles whatever piano.  or Maestoso.  some of these pianos i've never heard of or played on - but it's worth it sometimes to check everything before committing. 

also, the word 'bankruptcy' makes me have a headache.  are you sure you want some possiblity of finding out leans on the piano?  i'd flee the scene.

[iumonito]

Guys, help! It's urgent.
I have a problem with delivery, don't know how big this problem is... I have one very tight corner, where it could be potentially impossible to get the piano in the house through the door. Delivery guy was here today to check the situation. He said " Yes, it's very tight ( he showed me one centimeter  I knew it without him...I wanted to hear a better news ), but we should be able to pull through".

Seller gone down in price to fit my needs ( now the price is 23,000 something ). Because I am afraid of the delivery complications I asked the seller to take responsibility for a delivery. It's not that much money to lose the sale over it ( so far delivery guy quoted $320 ), but he ( the seller ) has given me a firm " no ".

From what I understand he also does not want to deal with potential headache if piano does not fit through the door. I mean, getting a crane here to get the piano in the house would probably cost me another 5,000, no?  I am not saying getting the piano "in" is impossible at all.
Tonight I'm feeling even more concerned than ever , based on the seller respond.

Any words of wisdom?

The owner of the store had to speak to me on his day off and the reasons/examples that he gave me to made his point meant one thing - he had signed up for a delivery deal before and it cost him more then expected.

Sorry to hear that, Inga.  It either will fit or it won't, and a good mover will know that with confidence without moving the piano an inch.

Spacle is cheaper that fixing the piano. If the right piano doesn't fit, knock the wall down.

[Axtremus]

If the professional mover says it won't fit, don't take the risk. Shop for something else, something smaller still. And whatever piano you want to buy, make sure the sale can be cancelled and funds returned to you in the event that the piano cannot be successfully delivered -- and get that in writing.

[ingagroznaya]

Thank you all! I've got that in writing, Axtremus, and now the piano is IN. It's so exciting! It's sounds and feels wonderful. I can not wish for more!
One problem - it shakes when I use a pedal. I am .. ummm... an aggressive pianist, but I know it should not shake. I think the legs not screwed correctly? It is not much to worry about, right? It should be easily fixed?

[iumonito]

Thank you all! I've got that in writing, Axtremus, and now the piano is IN. It's so exciting! It's sounds and feels wonderful. I can not wish for more!
One problem - it shakes when I use a pedal. I am .. ummm... an aggressive pianist, but I know it should not shake. I think the legs not screwed correctly? It is not much to worry about, right? It should be easily fixed?

It should be easily fixed.  My guess is that it is not on casters, so what you feel shaking is actually the wheels giving in a little bit while you play.

If the legs are not attached properly, it probably would have fallen off already.  I can't imagine!  Check the external screws, just to make sure you cannot tighten it with your hand.

[ingagroznaya]

It should be easily fixed.  My guess is that it is not on casters, so what you feel shaking is actually the wheels giving in a little bit while you play.

It is on casters, but very unstable.

[ingagroznaya]

Technician was here. He agrees that it wobbles considerably. We called the store owner. Store owner is dealing two other customers, he did not even bother to talk to me. I don't want to be screwed, so I've stop payment on a check. This is really messed up. I love the piano. Why does it shakes like a jelly? It's a new piano. It should not!

[pianistimo]

were the legs tightened sufficiently?  hmm.  did the legs come completely off and then get put back on?  you actually got the piano in, right?!

[ingagroznaya]

were the legs tightened sufficiently?  hmm.  did the legs come completely off and then get put back on?  you actually got the piano in, right?!

Right and yes, legs come completely off and then got put back on.

[pianistimo]

my first thought was to take the legs off again - glue it onto your dining room table.  assemble the pedals underneath and just use a kitchen chair for a bench.  but, it might look a bit odd.  that is, if you like the sound of the piano.

now, if it plays really badly and other things are wrong with it - then i wouldn't bother jerry-rigging.  but, did your technician say anything about helping you attach the legs in a sturdier fashion.  is there any other type of 'connecting' beyond what is already there - that can be done with the legs?

[ingagroznaya]

This is REALLY messed up. After I've placed stop payment on the check and made a scandalous appearance at the store, I've returned home and actually sit down and played the piano for the first time AFTER the technician tickled his bolts and screws. Screwed up. So screwed up!
It does not shakes anymore!!! At least not in the direction which I find annoying ( up and down ).
Why would he confirmed:" Yes, it shakes considerably "?

Did you, guys know that all piano shake? While I was at the store, I've got to shake 7 or 9 foot Bosendorfer. It shakes like crazy sideways. The key word - sideways. My piano shook up and down as well as sideways. My music stand was out of control going up and down as well as the keys. It was like having a vertigo.


I am embarrassed not to notice ( or care to? ) that piano aren't all that stable side to side ( I never really made a point to push one to experiment? ), but I am even more embarrassed never to check the piano after the technician left. He sounded as he did nothing. My piano now simply vibrates, but music stand is still in place, where I can actually follow the score.

Stop payment on the check is irreversible, right? I have to write another check...Crazy day. Crazy story. Crazy piano. I think it will fit me just right.