<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Dear Clyde,
<BR>
<BR>I would definitely think that age is a factor. I would say its more likely
<BR>for you to find a 4 year old, mint condition piano than a 20 year old, mint
<BR>condition piano.
<BR>
<BR>But I am more confused as to how she can say that the piano is in mint
<BR>condition without having the model, serial number, or age. To make an
<BR>accurate (not ignorant) assesment of condition, she would have needed to have
<BR>it assessed by a technician. If she did indeed have it assessed by a
<BR>technician then she would have received the information on the model and
<BR>serial number (and most likely age) in the process.
<BR>
<BR>As it sounds she is making an ignorant assesment of the condition of the
<BR>piano. And while the piano may not have been outwardly abused and may look in
<BR>mint condition, the possibility is there that the uninformed seller hasn't
<BR>had her pristine piano tuned in 15 years because it hasn't "needed" it and
<BR>sees no harm in having the piano rest against her baseboard heating, etc, etc.
<BR>
<BR>People are often calling us to sell their "mint" condition piano and very
<BR>rarely do these "mint" pianos turn out to be the real thing.
<BR>
<BR>I definitely agree with you about not persuing a piano when someone wants to
<BR>hide information.
<BR>
<BR>~Lanie
<BR>
<BR><B>Moody Piano & Organ
<BR></B>Marlborough, MA 01752
<BR><A HREF="mailto:MoodyPiano@aol.com">MoodyPiano@aol.com
<BR></A><A HREF="http://www.bushellcompanies.com">www.bushellcompanies.com</A> </FONT></HTML>