Grey Market

[Farrell]

Having some basic knowledge of wood and its properties, I believe it is
POSSIBLE that a grey market Yamaha will perform less well in North Dakota in
the winter than in Florida or Japan (I don't know because I have only
"experienced" them in Florida). And the European climate is similar to that
of the USA (except for England!). BUT regardless of what is, or what might
be, or what might be good to have folks believe, I think you hit the nail on
the head.

Just like USA companies - Yamaha is likely run by its marketing department
and its investors, rather than by the little techies.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony G Caught" <caute@bigpond.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 7:07 AM
Subject: Re: Grey Market


> Keith, Brian and List
>
> There is nothing worse than believing what you read in SALES PROMOTION
> MATERIAL and saying that it is true.
>
> Keith, read between the lines, then tell me that
> 1. You do not have a climatic condition somewere in the USA that is not
the
> same as the Japanese climate ?
> 2. That because Yamaha makes pianos specifically for the American climate
> (USA does cover Florida, Alaska and Nevada I hope) I take it that what
they
> are saying is Yamaha makes THREE pianos for the American climate.
> 3. Why is it that all the other piano manufacturers don't make pianos for
> different climates. Is a piano made in Europe only good in Europe. Would
you
> classify a Schimmell or a Bosendorfer or a Bechstein or or or as being
grey
> market pianos because they are not built for the American climate ?
> 4. When Yamaha makes a statement like "THE PIANOS WE MAKE FOR THE JAPANESE
> MARKET ARE INFERIOR TO THE EXPORT PIANOS"     Then I will believe that
pigs
> can fly.
> 5. This grey market piano rumor was more than likely started by Yamaha USA
> or Yamaha AUSTRALIA or Yamaha whereever because the sale of these
"imported"
> pianos is affecting there sales.
>
> Brian and List
>
> These pianos are in most cases pianos from pratice rooms throughout Japan.
> These practice rooms are used 24 hours per day, students book time to play
> them. They are serviced regularly and climatic conditions are maintained.
> They have just had a lot of use, and they are still good pianos. Policy
> states that these pianos are to replaced on a planned basis.
> There are also a lot of privately owned pianos included in those imported.
> The Japanese attitude is "if it is ten years old, it's old" These pianos
> have not been maintained properly nor have they been stored in the ideal
> climatic conditions so I guess you are going to get a mixed bunch.
>
> But we are piano technicians, we should know what we see, say what we can
> prove and not pass on rumor, inuendo and other BS we should know better.
>
> Flame suit time but think before you answer.
>
> Tony Caught
> Australia
> caute@optusnet.com.au
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <kam544@flash.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 2:58 PM
> Subject: Re: Grey Market
>
>
> > >...I have always assumed that it applies  to an item that bears the
name
> > >of a certain manufacture, but has  actually been made (even under
> license)
> > >elsewhere and is often a lower quality  and cheaper item...
> > > Brian Holden
> >
> > Brian, List,
> >
> > This is not the case.  When originally manufactured, these particular
> > Yamahas being discussed were just not designed to be marketed to certain
> > parts of the world.
> >
> > Here is one of their web sites with relevant info:
> > http://www.yamaha.com/ycaservice/group004/fgrop004.htm
> > click on - What About Purchasing A Used Yamaha Piano?
> >
> > Keith McGavern
> > Registered Piano Technician
> > Oklahoma Chapter 731
> > Piano Technicians Guild
> > USA
> >
> >
>
>