Roger's Business Plan , was Re: Too many pianos

[Doug Mahard]

Excellent post Roger, ditto on a well thought out business plan for this
tight of piano.

Thanks,

Doug Mahard
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger C Hayden <rchayden2@juno.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2000 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: Too many pianos


> I use a dollar route.
>
> In NE Pennsylvania I can get from 750 to maybe 1500 for a good playing
> nice looking solid old upright in its original finish.  IF the case is
> workable.  The fancier the case, the better the price.  I have two
> talented touch-up men that do amazing things to these old finishes for
> anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars.
>
> In other words, for this piano I start with what I think I can sell it
> for when it's ready, for example it has the 'appearance' of a $1200
> piano.  Next subtract the move to my shop, $150, and an average move to
> the buyer, $150.  Next subtract what you will have to do to get it ready:
>    Pitch raise, $35, Fine Tune, $65, Bridge reinforced with super glues,
> $15 (Slight splitting acceptable), a set of straps, $75, tighten and
> repair action, $75?, voice hammers and a decent regulation without going
> crazy, $100, a follow up fine tuning after delivery, $65, and estimated
> brief visit to fix something under warranty, $35.  Ok, this comes to
> $735.  Now if I sell this for 1200, I profit on top of all other work
> $465 dollars.  Not too bad.  Because of all this money I'm going to put
> into this thing, I won't offer a seller more than $100 or $150.
>
> By the way, I do this arithmetic right in front of the seller, including
> the part about a 30% profit.  Nobody expects  you to buy and sell and not
> make a profit.   And If the seller comes to your shop and sees his piano
> he sold you for $150 now priced at $1200 he should not be offended,
> because you have been up front with him all the way.
>
> Also, I don't buy any old upright that doesn't have a good big sound,
> from top to bottom.  It's gotta have a HEART!!
>
> Ask questions.  If painted, don't take it, unless it's unusually good.
> A great piano painted is hardly worth anything.  Folks won't buy it, and
> refinishing time or costs run it out of the market.
>
> If it's missing many ivories, recovering keys must be figured in.   I
> figure around $175.
>
> There is another small market for LARGER FANCIER uprights.  There are
> some folks out there turning those into nikelodians using all new player
> actions available from two or three different makers.  Locally we have a
> refinishing antique restoration shop that retools the cases beautifully,
> for about $1200 including stained glass top and bottom, and another
> fellow who builds in the mechanism, for about $2700.  Piano techs usually
> get the piano part in tidy condition, varying from 300 to 1500, and then
> they resell these impressive 'antiques' for $8000 to $12000.
>
> We have one fine upright here now, a Janssen , that I got cheap, needing
> not much work, and well worth new hammers.  Imadagewa.  This thing is
> wonderful to play.  It's already sold, $1400.
>
> Don't collect pianos.  Buy pianos that can be put back into good service
> affordably.
>
> Roger C. Hayden, RPT
>
> On Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:14:07 EST Wimblees@AOL.COM writes:
> > In a message dated 3/10/00 6:16:07 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> > btnaudio@flash.net writes:
> >
> > << Does anyone have suggestions for how not to own 25 pianos after a
> > year in
> >  the business? >>
> >
> >
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