Are online "ebay" type pianos a good idea?

[Dave Bunch]

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I have used eBay on a regular basis for buying and selling a large =
variety of items with much success. In fact, my toy robot that had been =
appraised by a reputable collector for $400 sold on eBay for $6,500 =
because buyers from all over the world can see the item and fight over =
it.=20

The "catch" so to speak with eBay though is that for items to be =
successfully auctioned, they need to either be something that is mass =
produced and sealed new in a box such as a camera or radio. These items =
are a known quantity and don't need to be examined up front. Other items =
such as antiques, one of a kind, or used usually have the option of =
being returned by the buyer, at the buyer's expense, if the item doesn't =
meet with expectations. For this to work, the item needs to be =
relatively small, lightweight, and cheap to ship. This is why pianos =
make a bad auction item. No one will want to pay the costs of shipping =
if they don't like it.=20

Dave Bunch
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: MoodyPiano@AOL.COM=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 4:15 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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