Appraisals

We offer several types of appraisals. Weather you are just idly curious about the value of your piano, are thinking about buying or selling a used instrument, or need an insurance quote we can help you.

We offer the following (In order of expense):

Free advice over the phone

A written Appraisal based on information you give us

A home call to inspect the instrument with a written appraisal

A Home call by a master technician, a written appraisal and an estimate of repair costs.

Things for you to consider:

Be Honest,  if we base the appraisal on your information and someone senses it is off the appraisal is worthless.

Know the facts; Make, Model, Serial Number, Age, Condition, History

What value do you need – Original cost, Market Value, Replacement Cost, or value if rebuilt

What are the current market conditions?

Consignment of your Instrument

We sell a large number of instruments for their owners on consignment each year.

How Consignment Works.

We agree on an amount that you would like to get for the instrument, and that will allow us to sell it in a reasonable time at a fair price.

We create a consignment agreement that details this information, as well as spelling our your rights to payment after the sale, and that you can taking back the instrument if desired after covering any expenses. It also clearly states that you are the rightful owner of the instrument and/or have the authority to place it on consignment. You get a copy and we get a copy.

We then arrange for pick up of the instrument at our expense

We then prepare it for sale at our expense, providing the instrument is substantially as described.

We Market, Sell, Deliver, arrange Financing, and Warranty the instrument.

Approximately 10 days after we receive final payment you should receive a check in the mail.

Things to consider:

You can sell the instrument for more than we are going to give you on consignment. We are a business and need to cover the above expenses and make a profit.

It is our name that will be associated with the instrument. We will not sell any unworthy instruments at any price.

We will attempt to get a fair price for the instrument but will not overcharge to get you a better price.

The outward appearance is more important than most people realize. A good looking instrument will sell much faster as well as for more money.

Take a good look at the instrument in good light before considering a price, be honest with yourself about the dings and signs of wear. Every instrument will sell if properly priced.

F.Y.I It Costs Us

We average 7% profit after expenses

$250 average Pick Up, $100 more if stairs

$125 tuning if recently tuned, more if it has been a few years

$100 + Electronic touch up / repair

$ 75 + Cabinet  touchup

??  Delivery expense, buyer pays part

??  Warranty

2.5% Charge card / check fees

and the incremental costs of sales.

Piano Tuning

Pianos need to be tuned! The longer a time between tunings the harder (and more expensive) it is to bring the piano back into tune.

Tune you piano at least once a year. Try and have it tuned at the same time each year.

A serious player, student, singer, or player piano should consider tuning twice a year.

We recommend tuning after the start of the rainy season in May,  and again when the rainy season is over and the weather cools down in November.

There are several good tuners in the area, may we recommend Phil Bondi His web site is philbondi.com

Local Moving

Most major moving companies can move you piano along with your household goods. If you are using a budget household mover you may wish to have your piano moved separately.

With the cost of fuel, wages, and insurance skyrocketing expect to pay the following for a qualified piano mover:

$300 – $400To have a vertical piano moved

$400 – $600 To have a grand piano moved

Extra for stairs and the islands

There are a few local movers who will move for less, but they are often uninsured, inexperienced, and under staffed. Remember, in addition to damaging your piano, if they get hurt in your house they could come after you for the medical expenses.

We can recommend a mover if you wish.