About pianos and pricing, an unforgettable adventure

[music32]

This is a true story with themes that will sound familiar to those in the piano seeking market.

https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/a-battle-of-two-steinways-a-yamaha-and-a-spoiler-petrof/

Shirley K

[oxy60]

There is a lesson to be learned here and I hope that any of us trying to buy a piano will take it to heart. What the blogger did not mention is that there is a active market in consignment used  pianos. Depending on the shop the split between the owner and the dealer could be as bad as 60/40! (40% to the owner)

The dealer pays nothing for the inventory and couldn't care less about the condition of the piano. Those high prices the guys saw were double what the pianos were worth..

[keys60]

Interesting blog and the world of piano sales. Frankly, the 1098 isn't exactly what put Steinway on the map. It is, IMHO a pretty good upright. There's better out there. For appx. 27K, you can get a new K52.

If you don't know what your looking for technically, be prepared to suffer. Steinways are fixed price instruments when new. I frequently browse Steinway Hall on 56st. in Manhattan. There simply is no negotiating. And believe me.....independent dealers that will sell a new Steinway will tack on whatever they want. If your buying used, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. There are so many variables involved. Like how much of a restoration or maintenance has been performed?

The blogger gives the public a false sense of security by stating Steinways appreciate out the door.
That is false.
 Steinways do not appreciate in value on a constant level. A new Steinway purchased this year will not sell for more as used next year. It will not even retrieve the original price. It takes years for the depreciation/appreciation/inflation average to kick in. Over the first 10 years, you may lose 50%, then it'll level off and maybe start to rise in value possibly 5% per year. That of course depends on maintenance too. Didn't change the strings after 20 years, get the piano regulated. hammers shaped? The only people that can get more than you is a dealer for your piano and as stated, at least 25% is going to them. Possibly more.

Most players do not know much about pianos other than how they play and sound. Unless you have taken classes in piano technology, don't guess.

Always get an unbiased technician to check out the used pianos before you purchase. You'll have to pay for their appraisal/time, but if your looking to lay out thousands of dollars, the opinion is well worth it.