Broadwood upright selling advice

Awrence · Post by **Awrence** » 19 Feb 2008, 18:53

I am looking to make a quick sell on a piano that was included in a property I have bought. I am not interested in maximising profit as I do not have the time, but equally I don't want to let something valuable go for nothing!

It is a John Broadwood and Sons upright piano with the original candle holders. The serial number is 94216 and it was made between 1900 and 1905. It needs to be tuned.

It would be essential for someone to collect the piano and it should be noted that it would be a tight fit and there are 4 staircases to be navigated (3 short 1 long).

I believe the piano can be dismantled which would make moving considerably easier.

I have no knowledge of pianos and would greatly appreciated any advice offered. If someone could come up with a vague price, all the better.

I will put photo's up later this evening.

Thank you all very much in advance.

mdw · Post by **mdw** » 19 Feb 2008, 22:45

Smash it up in situ and get it as small as pos to help you get it down the stairs. It has no value on the ground floor. Add in 4 flights of stairs and you are looking at a huge bill for someone just to get it to groundfloor level.
Sorry to be brutal but thems the facts.!!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 19 Feb 2008, 23:18

Ouch - tough love from the UK piano forum! Suggest mdw changes initials to GBH

Grenache · Post by **Grenache** » 20 Feb 2008, 08:38

I read somewhere recently that a remover was charging £80 for delivery to ground floor and an additional £80 for every storey above that. Ouch!

Also see http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/vi ... php?t=5192

mdw · Post by **mdw** » 20 Feb 2008, 09:11

Grenache wrote:I read somewhere recently that a remover was charging £80 for delivery to ground floor and an additional £80 for every storey above that. Ouch!

Thats unfortunatly why I suggest breaking it up getting rid himself.

I would has said £80 per filght was fair. Anyone who thinks this is a lot ask yourself if after the vat man taxman and staff have had their cut you would want to move a piano up or down a flight of stairs for whats left from the £80!!!

Nibbio · Post by **Nibbio** » 20 Feb 2008, 11:55

I had a piano delivered seven days ago and after seeing the work necessary to do it (first floor, 4 people, around 30 minutes) with a pretty broad and steady stairfly I think that the price originally quoted to me ( GBP 45 for every floor above the ground floor) was very probably subsidised by the piano seller.
Moving a piano is a nasty affair.

David B · Post by **David B** » 20 Feb 2008, 12:02

Sell it on eBay. Say your gonna smash it up in the ad and some fool will give you a fiver for it and then delivery is their problem

The candle holders are worth money, as are the ivory key tops if it has them (on eBay anyway)

mdw · Post by **mdw** » 20 Feb 2008, 21:24

David B wrote:then delivery is their problem

Just make sure they get someone to move it who knows what they are doing. Not a DIY job trashing all your hall and stairway walls in the process.

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 20 Feb 2008, 22:19

Not a DIY job trashing all your hall and stairway walls in the process.

Oh God yes, quite agree. I once had to pay a landlord over £1000 to fix damage left by one bunch of so-called piano movers. They got it wedged in a doorway they hadn't bothered to measure up 6 flights of steps. The memory brings on a shudder even now...