Selling Your Used Piano
So you are looking to sell your piano and a few tips might be of help? Okay, for starters, we hope you are selling your piano because you have another coming to replace it - after all, there's nothing like music in the home! Okay, that said, let's take a look at how you might go about this process of finding a good home for your used piano...
First of all, have some patience. There are quite a few used pianos available on the market and, depending on exactly what type and brand of piano you are selling, along with your location, the amount of time necessary could vary. If your piano is an old 52" upright, for example, you might find that it takes you longer than if you were selling a used Steinway baby grand from the 1930's. You see, there are many more uprights available to be bought on the market than Steinway baby grands. You could sell your piano in a day - or, it could take months. Again, factors will determine your success (a little luck won't hurt, either). Nevertheless, you've committed to selling your piano and are ready to begin...
Establish a price for your piano...
How much should you ask for your used piano? Well, probably the best way of determining a fair market value for your piano is to consult with someone who has significant experience in this area. A piano technician will certain be of value here. It will cost you, but it also may be the best money you spend during this whole process, for reasons explained below. For an easy and inexpensive approach to determining your piano's value, you might try visiting Piano Amore! and checking out "Piano Appraisals."
Take at least one good picture of your piano, preferably more...
As the saying goes, "you gotta see it to believe it" - people want to see what you're selling. Take a picture or two of the piano's exterior. It's a good idea to take a picture of the inside, too, especially if you want to convey to your prospective buyers that your piano is in good condition overall.
Keep your piano and its environment clean, attractive and comfortable...
Although it's true that a used piano is likely to show some wear, be sure to do what is within your power to make it look as attractive as possible. Dust it. If you are able to get in the piano's interior (perhaps you will have someone help you if necessary), dust away any cobwebs that are likely to be there - the inside of a piano that is not opened frequently is a popular place for dust and cobwebs to collect. If your piano is a vertical (not a grand style), the knee board should be removed and that area should be cleaned. Again, a piano technician opens pianos regularly, so if you have one visit, take advantage and ask him or her if you can take a moment to dust and vacuum while they have it open. They are likely to appreciate your attentiveness to the matter. In addition, keep your piano's environment clean. Look at it this way: if you were a prospective buyer of a piano, and you were to walk in your home, would you be immediately attracted to the scenario? If the answer is not yes, then do what you can to make it attractive. Makes sense, right? Also, make sure there is some room around your piano, as people may want to look around, under, and even open the piano and will need a place to place anything they remove. Of course, when a prospective buyer is present, you will want it to be reasonably quiet as well. Maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Let's say, again, that you are a prospective buyer and you walk into the home and you begin to sweat within minutes. Aren't you likely to think that this is the kind of climate/humidity that the piano has been subjected to on a regular basis? Naturally, you should be certain that your home is at a comfortable climate and humidity level on a regular basis, for your own comfort and for the wellness of any piano in your home.
Have your piano tuned and technically serviced...
Eventually, your prospective buyer is going to want to hear the piano. The better it sounds, the better off you will be and the more success you are likely to have in getting the best price for your piano. In addition, if any minor mechanical repairs need to be done, you are much better off tending to them now than having to deal with them later when a prospective buyer for your piano asks about such problems. The benefits of calling on a professional piano tuner/technician are great. You'll read more about this below.
Advertise your piano...
Once you have determined a fair market value for your piano, here are some options that are available to you for advertising:
Word of mouth advertising: You might be surprised how lucky you get by just mentioning to everyone you talk to that you have a piano to sell. A simple, "By the way, I have a nice used piano that I'm looking to sell for a nice price. Would you know of anyone who might be interest?" If you say that to every person you meet during the course of a day, you've already increased your chances of selling that piano significantly! In addition, no money is invested with this approach!
Local newspaper classifieds: your local newspaper classifieds is certainly a worthwhile resource to consider if you have some extra money to spend. You can't take away from the fact that newspapers circulate and they reach people. As for the chances that you will reach the type of people looking to buy a piano, that will depend on timing and your area. In addition, if you live in a small town, you might consider advertising in the nearest major city's newspaper classifieds. It may cost you more, but you are also apt to get more circulation. The thing about newspaper advertising is that, if you don't have success early, it can cost quite a bit, possibly more than you intended to spend on advertising. And a key to having success with any kind of advertising is consistency, so consider the most you are willing to spend with this approach, if you use it at all, and be prepared to lose that money if you get no interest in your used piano. Keep in mind, too, that weekend papers can bring more success, but their classifieds usually cost significantly more, too.
Local bargain magazines: most towns have their version of a "bargain" magazine that usually gets circulated once a week. They generally cost much less to advertise in. Even a good sized display ad might cost much less than a text ad in a regular newspaper. But use caution, too. Some of these bargain magazines are not classifieds, so your advertisement can get placed anywhere in the magazine that the publisher sees fit. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, but someone specifically looking for a used piano will have to browse the entire magazine to find your ad. Anyhow, you can try it at the risk of losing much less money than what a newspaper ad can cost you. Do your research regarding pricing and terms first.
Online classifieds: Certainly worth a consideration. Focus on websites that specialize in dealing with pianos to begin with. Then see if they offer a classifieds section within the site. Again, this may cost a few dollars, but the people who find your ad are likely to be interested in pianos. Piano Amore! offers this type of classified advertising for free. Visit here to place an advertisement for your piano right now and you will have begun your advertising campaign already, without it costing you even one cent. People who visit Piano Amore! go there because they are at least interested in the topic of pianos in some fashion, because piano is the main theme of that website.
Local piano stores: naturally, a resource available to you. Keep in mind that, if they are going to help you sell your piano, they are in the business to make money. So, on one hand you are likely to get much less than if you are to sell your piano by yourself; on the other hand, you are likely to get more people interested. This is a decision you will have to make for yourself - do you want to hold out for the most money you can earn for your piano or do you want a quicker sale?
Flyers: an inexpensive approach to advertising your piano. Create a simple flyer that includes a significant amount of information about your piano, at least one quality picture, and your contact information. Look for places where you are allowed to post them, such as the music department at your local schools, local music stores, grocery stores, or even at work.
Supermarkets: many supermarkets have their own free bulletin board that offers community advertising. Usually, they have little advertising cards that are ready for your use. Certainly worth your consideration.
Local Piano Tuners, Technicians, and Teachers: an excellent consideration for getting the word out about your used piano. Who comes in contact with more people interested in pianos then they do? In addition, having a piano tuner/technician (many do both tuning and technical work) on your side can help significantly when it comes to making sure your piano is in the best condition it can be in for a prospective sale. It is often even worthwhile to pay a piano tuner/technician to visit and have a look at your piano and give you his or her assessment along with any advice he or she can offer you - this kind of information is irreplaceable! At the very least, you will know if what you are asking for your piano is consistent with his or her opinion.
Remember, the more effort you put into it and the more options you consider, the more chances you have of reaching more people, which increases your odds of getting the price you want for your piano.
Now, let's say you have generated some calls regarding your piano. Of course, people are going to ask you questions. This is another reason to consult with a piano technician in advance - he or she can better prepare you for the kinds of questions you can anticipate and provide you with the right answers. The type of questions you receive can certainly vary from novice to professional. Some may include: Who is the manufacturer of your piano? How old is your piano? How often has the piano been tuned? When was the last time you had the piano tuned? Is a bench included with the piano? Is your piano a spinet piano, a console piano, an upright piano, a baby grand piano, a grand piano? (They may simply as if your piano is a vertical piano or a grand). You may even be asked if you are including anything with your piano, such as music, piano rolls if your piano is a player piano, or any other accessories. Naturally all these items are negotiable and can add attractiveness to the sale.
You know the old saying, "you get what you pay for," right? Well the same holds true here. The more attention you give to details that matter, then the more likely you are to get the higher price for your piano. If your piano is well tuned and in good mechanical condition, and the price you are asking is fair, then it's less likely that you'll have to spend lots of dollars in advertising to attract more buyers. Also, the better your chances will be for a quicker sale and for your piano to be in a new happy home, which is ultimately best for all involved, including your piano!
David Longo has been performing and teaching piano for well over 25 years. He is particularly recognized for his online programs, which are effective, fun, and motivating. His Jazz Piano 101 online program is especially popular and is devoted to more than just jazz studies. Practice techniques, staying motivated, and making practice fun are among the topics that are discussed in great detail in this program which is totally customized to the individual. Be sure to check out Piano Amore! for all your piano needs!
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