steinway consignment

[David Love]

There are two approaches to consider, one is a percentage of the sale price
which requires you to contact the seller to approve anything below what you
establish as the original asking price, the second is a fixed price to the
customer where their price upon sale is predetermined.  The second option
leaves more flexibility for you to do improvements as add-ons to the price
without having to pay 70% (in the case of 30% commission) of those costs
back to the consignor.  My view on these things is that pianos I sell (even
consigned ones) reflect on my reputation as a technician so I want them to
be in the best possible shape when they go out.  I insist that necessary
work be done before they are offered for sale but I want that investment to
come back to me, not the consignor.  A fixed price allows that more easily.
It does require a good understanding of the market beforehand to ensure that
you don't promise the consignor a price which is unreasonably high, but it
may give more flexibility in the long run.  A long term consignment
agreement (renewable) is also necessary to be sure that the piano with the
work you have done isn't pulled out from under you, along with an agreement
authorizing the work that you will do on the piano.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Andersen
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 11:58 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: steinway consignment

You move and prepare the piano at your expense;  the client gives you  
at least 6 if not 8 or 12 months minimum (and renewable) to sell it;  
you bear all the costs of carrying, advertising, selling, add-ins at  
time of sale,  cartage, and give your  personal guarantee---and you  
take 30-35% of the sale price.
David Andersen

On Nov 26, 2007, at 4:55 PM, richard.ucci at att.net wrote:

> What is the usual arrangement for doing a consignment sale. Private  
> party that is. I would be selling the piano for the owner.
> Thanks,
> Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano