Holy Steinway M!

[james allen bickerton]

Wimblees@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 98-02-24 20:39:42 EST, you write:
> 
> >Help!  Tuned a 1929 Steinway M (Serial #M268519) for a lady the other
> >day - hammers, bridge, all the vitals in good condition.  When I
> >finished, she asked me "what do you think my piano is worth?"
> >Having appraised upright pianos in the past too numerous to count, I
> >have never been asked to appraise a Steinway.  The information I have on
> >piano appraisals gets kind of mushy when dealing with Steinways saying
> >that "depending on the condition of a Steinway, you could easily double
> >the appraised value of a lesser brand."
> >
> >  Well, I've been in this business long enough to know not to insult
> >someone about their pianos worth.  She called Steinway and got a "ball
> >park" estimate of her pianos worth.
> >
> >  Any help would be appreciated here (for I would like to keep her as a
> >customer).  Again, the piano is in above average-good condition.  She
> >wants the appraisal for insurance purposes.
> >
> >Thanks in advance.
> >                                         Jim
> >                                         Fayetteville, GA
> >
> >
> 
> Jim:
> 
> The ball park figure she got from Steinway should be enough, especially for
> insurance purposes. When I do an appraisal for insurance purposes, I not only
> give a value of the piano in its current condition, but I include the price of
> a brand new one according to the Ancott book, which states a new Steinway M is
> worth $34,600 in ebony.
> 
> Willem Blees  RPT
> St. Louis


I would like to thank Jim, Fred, Tom and Willem for their advice on the
Steinway M appraisal.  I not only gave the owner a detailed appraisal
with confidence, but also may have earned a long-lasting customer.
Again, thanks for the advice.
                                           Jim
                                           Fayetteville, GA