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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Hi Brian</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I usually don't bother making a distinction between =
used
imported Yamahas and new imported Yamahas because to the best of my =
knowledge,
they are both made for humid climates. Therefore, we don't have =
the
problems that many U.S. and Australian techs face with these pianos due =
to being
too dry. In fact, I think that the "grey market Yamahas" =
often
represent better value for money than other used piano brands, and I =
often
recommend them to piano buyers. Of course, I also tell them to =
have every
piano appraised before purchase.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT color=#000000 =
size=2>
Stephen</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Stephen Powell RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Auckland, NZ</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: =
5px">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><B>-----Original =
Message-----</B><BR><B>From:
</B>BH <<A
=
href="mailto:bholden@wave.co.nz">bholden@wave.co.nz</A>><BR><B>To:
</B>Pianotech Forum <<A
=
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>><BR><B>Date:
</B>Wednesday, 7 February 2001 10:23 AM<BR><B>Subject: </B>Yamaha =
U1, Grey
market and all that<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>List</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As I am the person who started off =
all this
correspondence regarding the suspect age of my customers =
newly
acquired U1, I thought I would make a few comments. I =
have told
him the true age of the instrument and that he should =
mention this
to the dealer, as they really should have been aware of this. =
The
difference between their 10 year estimate and the true 37 year =
age is
not acceptable. Quite frankly, he paid too much for it and a =
partial
refund is in order. I have advised him to do this, but should =
he
decide to pursue the matter, is entirely up to him.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have not told my =
customer about the Gray
Market aspect (how can you kick a guy when he's down) and I don't =
think he
would have any luck taking the dealer to task on that issue. I =
have
come into contact with a <EM>lot </EM>of Yamahas over the last 25 =
years and
this one is on a par with the usual standard - mellow tone (as =
opposed to
tinny), nice to tune, appears to be stable and requires minimum
regulation. It really is a lovely piano. Bottom =
line - the
customer is delighted with it. With the little tip I gave =
him regarding the piano's age, I think that's all he needs to
know. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for the replies to my =
initial
query.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Brian Holden, Piano Tuner, New =
Zealand
=
</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>