<html> For what it's worth, last weekend we tuned for a concert artist who reportedly purchased a Bosendorfer this way for a relatively small investment and is thrilled with it. Wally Wilson, RPT At 08:32 PM 9/24/01 -0500, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite cite>I have used eBay on a regular basis for buying and selling a large variety of items with much success. In fact, my toy robot that had been appraised by a reputable collector for $400 sold on eBay for $6,500 because buyers from all over the world can see the item and fight over it. The "catch" so to speak with eBay though is that for items to be successfully auctioned, they need to either be something that is mass produced and sealed new in a box such as a camera or radio. These items are a known quantity and don't need to be examined up front. Other items such as antiques, one of a kind, or used usually have the option of being returned by the buyer, at the buyer's expense, if the item doesn't meet with expectations. For this to work, the item needs to be relatively small, lightweight, and cheap to ship. This is why pianos make a bad auction item. No one will want to pay the costs of shipping if they don't like it. Dave Bunch<blockquote> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:MoodyPiano@AOL.COM">MoodyPiano@AOL.COM</a>= <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 4:15 PM <dd>Subject: Are online "ebay" type pianos a good idea? <dd>As time goes on I am getting more and more calls for piano moving for pianos that people are bidding on via ebay and similar auction style sites. <dd>n two instances that I can remember, we have had negative experiences. <dd>In one instance, a customer purchased a baby grand piano for $800.00 in NJ. The piano was supposedly in "showroom condition, only needing tuning." We were hired to move it from NJ to MA. After delivery we referred the customer to a technician for service who deemed the piano's repairs to be more than the value of the piano. <dd>In instance #2, a customer had called us to purchase their piano. Upon evaluation we found the piano to be unserviceable and explained this to the customer. 2 weeks later, I received a call from a customer in Washington state that was looking to purchase a piano on ebay from MA and was looking for advice and moving costs. Coincidentally it was the same piano. Thankfully she ended up not purchasing the piano but I still wonder if someone ever did. <dd>Does anyone have any feedback positive/negative on these types of transactions? My initial feeling for the everyday consumer is that there are too many risks involved with purchasing a piano like this and the opportunity isn't there too get it evaluated by a technician. So my overall recommendation to customers is "stay away from piano purchasing on ebay, etc." Does anyone have any other thoughts or recommendations that they give to their customers? <dd>Thanks, Lanie <dd>_________________________________________________ <dd>Moody Piano & Organ <dd>Metro West Plaza (rear) <dd>796 Boston Post Road East <dd>Marlborough, MA 01752 <dd>Phone 508-877-2222 or 508-229-3601 ā€¢ Fax 508-303-8996 <dd><a href="mailto:MoodyPiano@aol.com">MoodyPiano@aol.com</a> ā€¢ <a href="http://www.bushellcompanies.com">www.bushellcompanies.com</a> </blockquote> </dl> </html>