[pianotech] Costco/Yamaha

[pmc033 at earthlink.net]

This is an interesting development.  I remember talking with one of the salesmen in our store about Costco.  Suzuki had put products in Costco a while ago.  Maybe they're still there.  How are you going to get customer service?  Local dealer?  Good luck!  If they didn't sell it, are they obligated to service it?  And they have a service pack, no?  Who is going to do that?  I can't imagine the local dealer here in town looking very favorably on the Costco "dealership".  I doubt it would matter much, given Yamaha's reputation, but they have a very long guarantee that if you don't like your purchase, you can return it after a year or something like that.  Then, you can't sell as new.  Another thing is, much damage happens in the stores.  Suzuki has a local warehouse operation, and you would't believe how badly beat up their products were after being in a Costco for a while.  I got a lot of business repairing their polyester case parts.  Maybe that's the way of the future- no dealers, just big warehouse stores.  I wouldn't mind getting the service contract from a local Costco for Yamahas.  Hmmmm...
    Paul McCloud
    In San Diego
    


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mike Kurta 
To: Pianotech
Sent: 06/13/2009 6:15:52 PM 
Subject: [pianotech] Costco/Yamaha


    Wandering through our local Cosco's "aisles of beauty" this morning I was attracted to live piano music coming from the middle of the store.  It was eminating from a new Yamaha baby grand (couldn't see the model) with a Disklavier doing the playing.  Price was $16,999.  What was surprising was the assortment of 6 other various Yamahas.  Another baby grand w/o player and several studios and consoles were displayed.  They attracted a lot of attention, but I don't know how many actually were sold.  No sales person was in evidence.  Looks like warehouse clubs are into the piano business big time, at least ours is......
    Mike Kurta, RPT
    Chicago chapter
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