Help with selling a piano

[muppets_mate]

I am helping my father to sell his baby grand (boudoir grand) piano. I've contacted various dealers, and the general message seems to be that there isn't much trade interest in an 1895 Blüthner. Seems crazy to me as it is in very good condition, plays really nicely and has a lovely tone.

Where is a good place to try to advertise it? eBay is one obvious place but are there other less obvious places that PH could recommend? It's a fairly specialist market so would appreciate any pointers or help.

Thanks.

[condor]

If you watch any of the daytime TV antique shows you'll know that pianos...no matter how grand...don't go for much.
I'll suggest taking it to the local auction place and see what you get.

[dojo]

Could offer it to some local (private) schools? They have the space and the budget although prob will buy new.

You're right it does seem a shame

[muppets_mate]

I don't watch daytime TV! What you say about low value does tally with my experience though. The risk in taking it to auction is that you incur the not-insubstantial expense of moving it and are faced with taking some derisory low offer for it. It's almost not worth the effort

Contacting schools is an interesting idea that I can follow up.

Does anyone know of how to find a list of classical music societies that I could approach to see if they would contact their members?

Failing that it's the eBay and all that entails...

[Hoofy]

Gumtree.

[F3RNY7]

Would suggest trying on some musical/piano forums that may have classified sections? And always worth putting things on Gumtree because it's free and gets lots of traffic.

[JustinP1]

muppets_mate said:

I am helping my father to sell his baby grand (boudoir grand) piano. I've contacted various dealers, and the general message seems to be that there isn't much trade interest in an 1895 Blüthner. Seems crazy to me as it is in very good condition, plays really nicely and has a lovely tone.

Where is a good place to try to advertise it? eBay is one obvious place but are there other less obvious places that PH could recommend? It's a fairly specialist market so would appreciate any pointers or help.

Thanks.

The problem with a lot of the older pianos is that they had wooden frames as oppose to metal.

The upshot of that is that they are not usually recommended for pianos with will be properly played, either by an enthusiast or someone seriously learning. In short, they go out of tune more quickly and react more to temperature changes.

As such there's not as much value in it as you'd think. There's also the fact that for a dealer to sell a piano, they will be servicing it and repairing anything broken or worn, which on a 100 year old piano might be a lot.

To give an idea of value of this type of thing, my friend just bought a full size 1900's Bechstein from a dealer who had serviced it for £2000.

On the other hand, I helped my Mum sell her piano, upright, similar age but horrible sounding on eBay. It got bid up to £350 and an agent for someone that ships them off to China bought it!

[dojo]

Chances are by late 1800s it would have a metal frame.

It might also be worth contacting a shop that specialises in used pianos, get an idea of how much they think its worth and see it they'll sell it for a commission?

[boxst]

Strangely pianos do not go for very much money. The one that we have that was in great condition was given to us from freecycle. We paid £150 for a specialist to deliver it though ...

My daughter has outgrown that one and we are looking for another and again it seems that either free or a nominal amount.

So unless your piano is rare or specialist or has some intrinsic value because of who made it, then it won't be worth much, sorry.

[RichB]

Also, it has to be faced that the heavy looking, ornate style of 120 year old pianos is not fashionable these days. So, as a piece of furniture for an occasional player it may not appeal and to a enthusiastic classical pianist it may be too old. You could put it on eBay with a reserve?

ETA These people are Bluthner specialists and there's lots of info about the different styles here. Perhaps worth a call to them? http://www.robertspianos.com/top-makes/bluthner-pi...

Edited by RichB on Sunday 3rd May 21:50

[Wacky Racer]

Pianos are usually like full sized snooker tables, cost lots new, sell for very little, much down to steep removal costs.

There are always exceptions though.