<WBR>Pat mentioned Craig's list. Here on Hawaii there are a lot of pianos advertised for very little money, or even given away. I've tuned several that weren't all that bad. I'm currently trying to sell a 30 year old Kimball console for only a $1000 and have had only a couple of inquiries. <br> <br> Unfortunately, this trend of giving away pianos will only increase our business a little. While it's nice that these instruments are back in circulation, and being used by students to learn piano, most of the piano will need work, but the people who buy them, or take them, don't have any money to spend on them. <br> <br> As far as your predicament in Canada, Jim, perhaps some enterprising technician will buy them cheap, or less, and take them to the big cities to sell.  <br> <br> As far as other uses, I've seen planters, computer desks, and book cases made out of the cabinets of big uprights. Sell the cast iron and copper from the strings, and salvage the screws and hinges. <br> <br> <div style="CLEAR: both">Wim<br> <br> -----Original Message-----<br> From: Jim <jim@jimkinnear.com><br> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Wed, 21 May 2008 4:09 pm<br> Subject: Surplus pianos<br> <br> </div> <div id=AOLMsgPart_2_3df8d8d7-09d6-4d01-835e-d70120fa6cb9> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Hi</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Glad to be back on the list . . . we have an interesting dilemma in the local area . . </FONT></div> <div> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">There seems to be a shift away from piano ownership in this area, as the boomers age and downsize. I'm sure many instruments are going to younger generations, but there is an increase in persons wanting to get rid of perfectly good pianos, that isn't matched by the demand for used pianos.</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Is this a trend in other areas as well?</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">I am faced with this on a daily basis, and with very little in the way of ideas to suggest.</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">In addition to comments about options, have any of you seen unique or creative non-musical uses for pianos that you might like to share . . . </FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">cheers</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Jim Kinnear</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"><A href="http://www.pianoguy.com/" target=_blank>www.pianoguy.com</A></FONT></div> <div><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Collingwood, Canada</FONT></div> </div> <div id='u8CA8A055AC7FB40-F04-A6B' class='aol_ad_footer'><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Stay informed, get connected and more <A title="http://mobile.aol.com/productOverview.jsp?productOverview=aol-mobile-overview&?ncid=aolmbd00030000000139" href="http://mobile.aol.com/productOverview.jsp?productOverview=aol-mobile-overview&?ncid=aolmbd00030000000139" target="_blank">with AOL on your phone</A>.</FONT> </div>