What is the real price of Yamaha C3 and Yamaha U1

[nyonyo]

All,

I am on the market for either Yamaha C3 or Yamaha YUS1.
Last Sunday, I went to a Yamaha dealer.  I tried both C3s and YUS1s and like both of them.

The Manufacturing Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for C3 is $44.5K, but the salesman offered me at $27.5K after we talked just for a minute. I thought what the hell is going on, how could the price dropped drastically. I concluded right away that the $27.5K must also be a bogus price.  Earlier today, I happened to see a Yamaha Grand Piano advertising in a Japanese piano magazine (Piano Style), in that ad, they showed the price for C1 thru CFIIIs. Low and behold, the C3 price is only Y1,585,000, it is about $16K. Once again, it is the MSRP in Japan, therefore, we know that the price can be much lower than what we see in the magazine. How could the price in the states is $10K more than the MSRP in Japan.

On Sunday, I told the saleman that my friend bought Yamaha C5 for $22K about ten years ago. He said it was kind of low (he was acting as if he did not believe me). After comparing the price in the magazine, C5 in Japan at this moment is about 18K, so my pricing of $22K is about right then. My dealer here asks for $31K for C5. How could it cost 13K more than in Japan.

I really lost trust in this guy....He really sounded like he really wanted to rip me off badly.
I think I will go for Kawai. The Kawai salesman sounded very reasonable. He offered K5 to me for $5.8K, and the price in the Japanese  magazine is $5.5K.

I think a brand new C3 should  be around $18K or $20 the most.

Could any of you help me with this?

Nyonyo

[amelialw]

if you are willing to spend so much on a Yamaha Grand, why not buy a Kawai Grand?

[nyonyo]

The problem is that the Kawai dealer in Chicago does not prep his pianos.
All of them are out of tune and sound very bright. In addition, I do not like the action of Kawai pianos, not as smooth as Yamaha.

Just too bad the Yamaha dealer that I deal is so scary.

[prongated]

...I had a similar experience when walking into a Yamaha dealership - they're offering a brand new Yamaha C3 for AU$30,000 with price increments of AU$3,000 as you go up a size.

...I think it's like that with piano prices...once you step on Kawai grands, similar story again...if what I read in this forum is true, basically for the RRP of a Kawai RX-2 in Australia I can buy a Shigeru SK-2 in Singapore or Taiwan, get it shipped here, and get it worked on by piano technician here - and possibly get some change.

It is possible that the extra money goes into extra transport cost or possibly extra prep for different climactic conditions (as in Yamaha). But I think it's more because it's a really competitive market in Japan (thus prices have to be low, otherwise they can't sell) while in overseas markets they can sell at higher prices by scaring ppl from buying grey import pianos with stories about humidity, climate etc. etc.

[nyonyo]

It is full of bull regarding the climate thing. I used to have my practical training in Yamaha factory. They do not do that kind of thing. All pianos were made the same, regardless where they are going to export!!!

The problem with people in the States that they are just not used to with bargaining. Therefore, it is a heaven for piano salesmen to rip people off.

[k murphy]

Yes, I too am pricing the Yamaha C3 and the "list" price was $33,000, but the current "sale" price is $24,999.  After speaking with the salesperson he hinted there was room in that number if I paid cash, since they don't have to finance it, of perhaps $2000.  But he did indicate there is a price at which even the parent company at Yamaha will not let them go. 

What is the lowest price they are allowed to sell a new C3 for? 

[nyonyo]

where are you located? In the States, Yamaha cannot really control the price, it is illegal.

This is for your info, about 10 years ago, a friend of mine who owned a Yamaha music school bought C5 for $15K and at the same time my other friend who had nothing to do with Yamaha paid C5 for 22K.  From here we know that current C5 should not be much more than 22K. Now may be around 25K or 27K the most. If people are more well inform about the piano prices, these dealers cannot go over the board with their prices. We know that they need to make profit but, of course, not like a $10K profit.

Hope this helps.

[k murphy]

I'm in Southern California, near Riverside and San Diego Counties. 

Do you think I could purchase a new showroom C3 for 18K?

[nyonyo]

Lucky you!! There are many Yamaha dealers in Southern Calif, therefore, you have more bargaining power. The John Waltrip in Arcadia seems much more competitive than the piano store next to freeway 55 (forgot the name). You just go to the John Waltrip in Arcadia, and make sure you tell them that 18K is the amount that you want to spend for C3. They want to sell as many piano as possible, therefore, they will think first before rejecting your offer. Buy at the end the year will give a better chance for you to get better deal. A salesman need their yearly quota...Good luck...I myself will wait to buy the piano after Christmas to take advantage of yearly qouta....
Don't give an impression that you are weak, they'll take advantage of you. Be friendly but very firm with them. You have to make sure that they know that you know the price. Don't shop like grandmothers who are usually got taken...