buying off internet? A word of warning.

[sussexpianos]

The internet is a wonderful tool but don't believe everything you see. I have dealt with many pianos which were bought either from online auctions or through business websites(antique etc), some which were OK and some which I have condemed. Some of my customers have got their money back, others, after court battles have not. The last case I have dealt with involved a Yamaha grand on a online auction which was for a birthday present. The tuning pins were loose, and as the piano had already received new bigger pins, also needed a new restplank. This is a job which costs thousands but the judge ruled against it as there is no technical rule to how long a piano should stay in tune for and if it had to be at concert pitch.
The other case was a piano described as excellent condition and in perect working order. I was unable to tune this due to the seized action. Luckily, these people got their money back except for the transport.
So, before you spend your cash, get a good technician/tuner to inspect the piano before its too late. There are laws to help protect you, but it is expensive and time consumming and above all, the decision can rest on one person.
You have been warned.

[joseph]

- and aside from the above, very important advice, you have no idea what the piano sounds like when bought unseen as it were.

I know someone who bought a new Yamaha C3 from a web-based shop and really, its not a particularly nice example.
They hadn't tried it first, and I appreciate that with a good technician it would be fantastic, there just ain't that type of technician where they are, nor would they be willing to pay for one to travel.

[Pianomate]

I've bought pianos, power tools, farm machinery and other items from auction houses and eBay etc. Think of it in the same way as you would buy a second hand car. The rule "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) applies to most items. Even if the item is not as described, you will have by then expended a good deal of money getting it home etc.

Therefore, there's nothing wrong with buying over the internet as long as you follow these rules:

1, Go and have a look at it first and bring an expert with you (such as a technician for a piano, or a mechanic for a car). Paying a technician to look it over in advance is considerably less than buying a heap of junk and paying somebody to scrap it for you. The technician will also be able to advise you of how much work is requried to get it back into tip-top condition. If the seller won't let you have a look, don't buy.

2, As in my case, such as for a rare antique item as an early piano or a vintage car, buying it for its collectability on the assumption that it will need completely rebuilding and a full restoration, and bid accordingly.

3, Taking a gamble and bid accordingly - if it isn't any good as a piano, the timber will always come in useful for that project of yours, the ivory keytops are worth money for spares and you can weigh in the frame at the scrapyard. (I scrapped a solid oak piano and a mahogany table for someone a few years back, dismantled them and sold the timber for £200 to a cabinet maker)

4, Check feedback and avoid buying from known rogues (we all know who it is I am talking about on Ebay).

5, Mainly for auction houses - check with the staff where it has come from - If it is from a deceased estate and has been looked after it is a safer bet than one which has come from a private seller such as a dealer. Beware if there is more than one piano from the same source as this may be a dealer trying to clear off his substandard stock or dodgy part exchanges not good enough for the showroom. My local piano tuner buys the occasional quality make piano from auction houses and fixes them up in his garage during quiet spells. He has got some real bargains.

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

Good topic!!
I'm sometimes surprised that people will buy a piano without visiting. I always advise the customer to get a technician to inspect the piano, but I have to say, I can only remember the customer taking my advice on that on one occasion, about 3 years ago.