Are online "ebay" type pianos a good idea?

[Wimblees@AOL.COM]

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In a message dated 9/24/01 4:32:17 PM Central Daylight Time, 
MoodyPiano@AOL.COM writes:


> As time goes on I am getting more and more calls for piano moving for pianos 
> that people are bidding on via ebay and similar auction style sites. 
> 
> n two instances that I can remember, we have had negative experiences. 
> In one instance, a customer purchased a baby grand piano for $800.00 in NJ. 
>  The piano was supposedly in "showroom condition, only needing tuning."  We 
> were hired to move it from NJ to MA.  After delivery we referred the 
> customer to a technician for service who deemed the piano's repairs to be 
> more than the value of the piano. 
> 
> In instance #2, a customer had called us to purchase their piano.  Upon 
> evaluation we found the piano to be unserviceable and explained this to the 
> customer.  2 weeks later, I received a call from a customer in Washington 
> state that was looking to purchase a piano on ebay from MA and was looking 
> for advice and moving costs.  Coincidentally it was the same piano.  
> Thankfully she ended up not purchasing the piano but I still wonder if 
> someone ever did. 
> 
> Does anyone have any feedback positive/negative on these types of 
> transactions?  My initial feeling for the everyday consumer is that there 
> are too many risks involved with purchasing a piano like this and the 
> opportunity isn't there too get it evaluated by a technician.  So my 
> overall recommendation to customers is "stay away from piano purchasing on 
> ebay, etc."  Does anyone have any other thoughts or recommendations that 
> they give to their customers? 
> 
> Thanks,  Lanie 
> _________________________________________________ 
> Moody Piano & Organ 
> 

Lanie

You basically answered your own question. I had a customer who was about to 
purchase a 5'8Z" Baldwin grand in PA for $8000. I asked her is she had seen, 
played or heard the piano. When she hadn't, I advised her to call a 
technician in the town where the piano was located. I don't know if she ever 
did, but I don't think she bought that piano. 

Buying pianos over the Internet is very dangerous. As you said, you don't 
know what you're getting into. 

Willem 

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