I've been shopping around for a new upright piano for the last couple of months, been to all the major dealers, Chappells, Jacque Samuel, Marksons, Venables, Piano Warehouse, Kensington Pianos etc and tried out lots of different new and second hand pianos.
For my budget (under £5000) I have pretty much decided to go for a new Yamaha U3 (though any last minute suggestions will be considered!) It seems to have the best balance between performance, reliability, price and residuals and I feel that the extra height gives it significant advantage over the U1.
The problem is that as of tomorrow (the 1st april) Yamaha's prices are going up significantly (the RRP on the U3 from £6500 to £7000, and every dealer has told me the same story and one showed me the updated price list, so if I order one today I could potentially save a few hundred quid than if I wait any longer.
No problem, except that I would prefer to buy one that I've played but thats not as easy as it sounds. For example Marksons have a new U3 in stock, but it was poorly prepared, needed tuning and regulating, is situated by the front door of the shop so exposed to a cold draught and moisture everytime someone enters the shop and thus I didn't want to purchase that piano. The sales assistant offered me what I thought was a decent price of £4850 if I order today, but in effect I would be buying a piano straight from the warehouse as the one they have in stock I didn't want. And personally I would much prefer to buy a piano I've played!
Chris Venables Pianos don't have a new black U3 in stock that I can go and try out so would be the same situation with them, in fact they said they have been on order from yamaha for months, so it seems like yamaha may be keeping the stock back until the new prices go into effect
I could go into Chappell's today, they have a new U3 and I pretty confident it will be well prepared, but I doubt whether they will give me as good a price as other stores, when I went there the sales assistant seemed like he wouldn't go below £5000.
It seems I have to make a decision today to get the lower price.. so any advice would be much appreciated!
Yamaha prices going up tomorrow- urgent advice needed!
Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Melodytune
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stevegibbs
- New Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 31 Mar 2008, 11:58
You could buy one from Markson on the condition that they will prepare, tune and voice one of their warehouse ones to a point where you're happy with it and they'll prepare you another if not satisfied. Obviously you'd only be prepared to put a transferable deposit on it at this stage to secure one at today's price, and the piano should only be delivered to you once you've tried and approved it.
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stevegibbs
- New Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 31 Mar 2008, 11:58
thanks piano guy thats exactly what i did!PianoGuy wrote:You could buy one from Markson on the condition that they will prepare, tune and voice one of their warehouse ones to a point where you're happy with it and they'll prepare you another if not satisfied. Obviously you'd only be prepared to put a transferable deposit on it at this stage to secure one at today's price, and the piano should only be delivered to you once you've tried and approved it.
can't wait to receive my brand new u3!