Are online "ebay" type pianos a good idea?

[Farrell]

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All else being equal - No way would I recommend to someone that they buy =
a piano on ebay. Now getting on to reality, people will do just that. =
So.........

I should think the condition & value of a remote piano could be =
ascertained by asking your local technician for a referral of a reliable =
technician in the area of the piano. The remote tech could then inspect =
the piano  and report as to its condition and value. One must be able to =
ensure that the remote tech is reputable though.

The above evaluation should satisfy many potential piano movers.

For the better pianist - they MUST play the piano themselves - so if =
they do the ebay thing, I would recommend that it include a trip to =
visit the piano. Otherwise about the only thing they can be reasonably =
sure of is that all the various parameters that determine whether =
someone likes a particular piano is within the "normal/acceptable" range =
(if indeed that is what the remote tech reports) - but it may not be to =
their particular liking.

Terry Farrell
 =20
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: MoodyPiano@AOL.COM=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 5:15 PM
  Subject: Are online "ebay" type pianos a good idea?


  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.=20

  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.=20

  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.=20

  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?=20

  Thanks,  Lanie=20
  _________________________________________________=20
  Moody Piano & Organ=20
  Metro West Plaza (rear)=20
  796 Boston Post Road East=20
  Marlborough, MA 01752=20

  Phone 508-877-2222 or 508-229-3601 =E2=80=A2 Fax 508-303-8996=20
  MoodyPiano@aol.com =E2=80=A2 www.bushellcompanies.com=20

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