| Buying a piano can be a great investment that will bring | | | | in your area, who can help evaluate your needs and |
| you and your family years of enjoyment, but you want | | | | find a great piano in your price range. You can check |
| to make sure you ask the right questions and take the | | | | on sites like Yelp or ask piano teachers in your area |
| right steps to ensure maximum value for your money. | | | | what piano dealers they recommend. Obviously, you |
| These simple tips will get you started. | | | | should be very careful buying on eBay and Craigslist. |
| 1. New vs used? | | | | 4. Ask piano expert or friend to evaluate |
| The first decision you have to make is whether to go | | | | If you have a friend who has played piano for awhile, |
| with a new or used piano. Used pianos can often offer | | | | ask them to come along and tell you what they think |
| much better value for the money, provided they've | | | | of the piano you're looking at. They'll have a more |
| been well-maintained. However, you'll have more work | | | | developed ear and feel for what makes a good piano, |
| to find a good one and you'll have to ensure that you | | | | and their advice will be useful. |
| have it properly checked to make sure there are no | | | | 5. Let your instincts guide you |
| issues that you'll regret later. | | | | Even if you don't know anything about pianos, don't be |
| 2. If used, is it under warranty? What's the condition | | | | afraid to trust your own instincts, especially if they tell |
| like? | | | | you that you shouldn't buy a piano. There's just no |
| Used pianos can be difficult to evaluate, so you're best | | | | substitute for sitting down at the piano and playing for |
| getting an expert to take a look at the piano and see if | | | | a bit; your friends and the experts may love the piano, |
| there are any repairs needed. If you're buying a used | | | | but they don't have to play it for the years to come, so |
| piano, be sure to remember to include delivery, tuning, | | | | make sure that you're comfortable. |
| and repair costs in the final estimate. | | | | Though buying a piano can seem like an overwhelming |
| 3. Buy from reputable dealer | | | | process, by spending a little bit of time upfront doing |
| A piano is a complex instrument with thousands of | | | | some research and evaluating your needs, you can |
| moving pieces, and you want to make sure you buy | | | | ensure that you end up with a quality instrument that |
| something that will last for many years. This means | | | | will bring you years of enjoyment. |
| that you may be best buying from a reputable dealer | | | | |