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<DIV><FONT size=2>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. =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Dave Bunch</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=MoodyPiano@AOL.COM
href="mailto:MoodyPiano@AOL.COM">MoodyPiano@AOL.COM</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> Monday, September 24, =
2001 4:15
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Are online "ebay" type =
pianos a
good idea?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>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. <BR><BR>n two =
instances
that I can remember, we have had negative experiences. <BR>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. <BR><BR>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. =
<BR><BR>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? <BR><BR>Thanks, Lanie
<BR><B>_________________________________________________ <BR>Moody =
Piano &
Organ <BR></B>Metro West Plaza (rear) <BR>796 Boston Post Road East
<BR>Marlborough, MA 01752 <BR><BR>Phone 508-877-2222 or 508-229-3601 =
• Fax
508-303-8996 <BR><A =
href="mailto:MoodyPiano@aol.com">MoodyPiano@aol.com</A> •
<A =
href="http://www.bushellcompanies.com">www.bushellcompanies.com</A>
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