And I will add that this formula below works for me only on $20K and up instruments, and only with instruments that are very close to "ready" to start with. I find when you remove any obstacle for the client, the consignment arrangement becomes a relief for them, and makes you seem like a hero. It works like this: my costs are moving, our prep/triage work, some small portion of total fixed and advertising costs for the Atelier, time engaged in selling...let's say it adds up to 1750.00. The piano is a "cupcake," pristine, low mileage C7. I sell it because it looks great, and I can make it sound and feel better than the new ones on the dealer's floor, for $25,000...with a warranty. I throw in a bench and one free followup, and usually get a good long-term client out of it (one that is committed to regular tuning and maintenance.) My payment for $1750.00 worth of cash and time, and a career-long buildup of reputation and trust? $7500.00 if I'm taking 30%, $8750.00 if it's 35%. That's a fantastic return on my investment of time and cash. Plus the yearly income from a regular grand piano client averages $450-700. The client gets $16-18K, which is about what they would have gotten in a private party sale, and much more than any dealer would have paid them. Everybody wins. As my hero and mentor Ed Foote says: "Once again, the customer's trust is the biggest asset we can have in this business. There is no reason not to get paid for being trusted." David Andersen Malibu, CA "safe from the flames one more time...." > You move and prepare the piano at your expense; the client gives > you at least 6 if not 8 or 12 months minimum (and renewable) to > sell it; you bear all the costs of carrying, advertising, selling, > add-ins at time of sale, cartage, and give your personal > guarantee---and you take 30-35% of the sale price. > David Andersen > > > On Nov 26, 2007, at 4:55 PM, richard.ucci at att.net wrote: > >> What is the usual arrangement for doing a consignment sale. >> Private party that is. I would be selling the piano for the owner. >> Thanks, >> Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20071127/973832bb/attachment.html
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