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