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<DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Hi, Joy:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Grey market pianos (why the term, I don't know) are used pianos that are imported from Japan. Apparently, Japanese people avoid buying used pianos, so importers pick them up for cheap and bring them over here. Some are reconditioned here, some are done in Japan, and they are sold to local dealers for sale to the public. I don't know about Kawai, but Yamaha will not stand behind these pianos or sell parts for them. They claim that the Japanese pianos sold in Japan are made to exist in the humid environment of Japan, and that if they are shipped to other climates, there may be problems with failure of glue joints, cracking, or other problems. They claim to have had problems like this in the past. Technicians are usually able to get parts anyway, so that's not so much of a problem, and the importers have a warranty in case problems develop. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Importers will grade the pianos according to their age and condition. Most will appear as-new, and will surprise you how old they actually are. Prices are substantially lower than new, so they can be a bargain. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">I'm sure there will be opinions about the viability of these "grey market" pianos. I work at a store that sells them, so you could say I have a bias. There is always a risk when buying anything used, so I would advise ALWAYS HAVE IT INSPECTED by a qualified technician, and be sure it has a warranty. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Good luck in your search.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Paul McCloud, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT face="MS Sans Serif">San Diego</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=joyfmb@msn.com href="mailto:joyfmb@msn.com">Joy McNabb</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 06/06/2007 6:30:57 AM </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> What is the "gray market"?</DIV>
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<DIV>I have recently come across the term "gray market" pianos. Would someone enlighten me on this term?</DIV>
<DIV>I am not a RPT, just a grand piano owner looking to sell my 30 yr old KG-2 Kawai that I purchased new, and hopefully buy a used GOOD grand in the Kawai, or Boston class with less age. My grand had one pin slip</DIV>
<DIV>and I am wondering if this is a portent of things to come.</DIV>
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<DIV>Joy McNabb</DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>