steinway consignment

[David Andersen]

And I will add that this formula below works for me only on $20K and  
up instruments, and only with instruments that are very close to  
"ready" to start with. I find when you remove any obstacle for the  
client, the consignment arrangement becomes a relief for them, and  
makes you seem like a hero.

It works like this: my costs are moving, our prep/triage work, some  
small portion of total fixed and advertising costs for the Atelier,  
time engaged in selling...let's say it adds up to 1750.00. The piano  
is a "cupcake," pristine, low mileage C7. I sell it because it looks  
great, and I can make it sound and feel better than the new ones on  
the dealer's floor, for $25,000...with a warranty. I throw in a bench  
and one free followup, and usually get a good long-term client out of  
it (one that is committed to regular tuning and maintenance.) My  
payment for $1750.00 worth of cash and time, and a career-long  
buildup of reputation and trust?

$7500.00 if I'm taking 30%, $8750.00 if it's 35%. That's a fantastic  
return on my investment of time and cash. Plus the yearly income from  
a regular grand piano client averages $450-700.

The client gets $16-18K, which is about what they would have gotten  
in a private party sale, and much more than any dealer would have  
paid them. Everybody wins.

As my hero and mentor Ed Foote says:

       "Once again, the customer's trust is the biggest asset we can  
have in
        this business. There is no reason not to get paid for being  
trusted."

David Andersen
Malibu, CA
"safe from the flames one more time...."


> 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
>

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