How to Sell Your Piano

Selling your piano is a challenge as it is a large investment of time for any buyer to make. As a seller, you will have to compete for the buyer’s attention by creating an image that your piano is better than other sellers’ listings. If you’ve decided that selling your piano is the right step to take, there is a lot to know about it before starting the process. For instance, do you know what information to list when selling? Do you know what online platforms you can sell it on easily? How about the process of determining a fair price? Or maybe you don’t want to deal with the process of selling and looking for external help? All of these questions will be answered in this article so that you can have the best possible experience selling your piano.

Before Deciding on Selling

Consider if you want to save the hassle of taking on the whole process yourself. It’s possible to sell your piano to a shop that will in turn sell it to a buyer. This guarantees you money for your instrument, which is not always the case if you choose to sell it privately. Consult a good technician, who will evaluate your piano and give you information on how to proceed. As a part of Hulme and Sweeney services, we offer piano evaluation and can take the hassle of selling the piano off of your hands.

However, it’s possible for your piano to be turned down by a shop for either being too old and unmaintained or simply not fit for sale. In that case, look into selling it privately, which will be detailed below.

What to Consider Before Selling

Selling a used piano is definitely a challenge in this era. Some new digital pianos can replicate the feel of an acoustic piano but do not have to be maintained. Naturally, acoustic pianos are becoming a rarer choice for the typical buyer. Used ones, at that, need to sufficiently sway the buyer away from buying a new piano, either acoustic or digital. So, there are a few things you must consider before deciding on selling your piano:

Brand

First, the brand of the piano. As goes for any product, well-known brands sell easier. A buyer who recognizes your piano’s brand will be more likely to look into it. On the other hand, lesser-known brands receive less attention from the typical buyer and more from a niche group of piano enthusiasts.

Age

The piano’s age is another important factor as to whether your piano will sell or not. Contrary to popular belief, older pianos are simply not worth more. With age, a piano progressively breaks down, its wood becoming more brittle and its strings falling out of tune. Typically, a piano can last 20 to 30 years, and even more if it’s maintained properly, reconditioned, or restored. If you have a very old piano, it’s best to still try to sell it, but do not count on the fact that it will sell, for it’s very unlikely.

Appearance

Next comes the appearance of the piano. Since the majority of people shop on the internet, a piano that looks good will obviously sell quicker than a damaged piano. If you want your piano to sell fast, then repairing any major damages to the case or the keys is a must-do. Such damages will turn down potential buyers very often.

Maintenance record

Last, a record of the piano’s maintenance should be included in the sale. A buyer could find a well-known brand of piano that looks to be in good condition, but not follow through with the sale because of a clear lack of maintenance of the piano. It is crucial that you maintain your piano so that the buyer knows that they are purchasing a functioning instrument.

Advertising on Online Platforms

Again, since it’s easier for buyers to look at pianos on the internet, you will want to advertise yours there. Some common platforms include Ebay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Additionally, there are some more niche platforms specifically for pianos. These include PianoMart, PianoBuyer, Klaviano, and more. Now, to get the most out of your advertisement that you will publish, it’s important for you to do the following:

Take Good Pictures

More often than not, good photos of your piano will sway the buyer to look in further. Make sure to clean up the background and clean the piano itself. Take close-up pictures of the keys, case, and the inside of the piano. Be sure to include a good photo of the entire piano that will be suitable for a cover photo. The more appealing and eye-catching it is, the more likely that a buyer will look into purchasing it. Additionally, if there are any damages that you were unable to repair, make sure to take pictures of them. The more pictures you include in your advertisement, the more accurate and honest of an image you will create for your buyer.

List out Information

The first thing that potential buyers will read in the listing is the title of the product. A good format to follow for the title is the following: Year, Make, and Model.

Next, after looking at the cover photo, name, and price (which we will get to shortly), the buyer will move on to looking at the description. In the description of your item, list as much information about the piano as possible. This information should again include make, model, and year. Some additional facts that you should include are the piano’s serial number, its playing condition, any known damages (along with photos), the date of its last service, and the reason as to why you are selling it.

Again, the more information you provide about your listing, the more likely it is that a buyer will look into it. Selling a used piano is tough; you are competing with other sellers, after all. By placing yourself ahead of these sellers by providing information, you are increasing the likelihood of someone purchasing your piano.

Determine a Reasonable Price

The price of the piano is the deciding factor on whether potential buyers will look further into a sale. Of course, if the price is astronomically high, then most buyers will be turned away. However, the closer the listed price is to the piano’s fair market value (FMV), then buyers will be more likely to purchase it or negotiate a price.

So, how do you determine your piano’s FMV? The first thing to do would be to speak to a piano technician, preferably the one who has been servicing your piano. They will know its ins and outs and will be able to give a price close to the FMV.

Next, you should look at the listing prices of other pianos similar to yours on these online platforms. A competitive price will make potential buyers look more into your piano than other ones that are similar. Then, combining the two sources, determine a FMV for your piano.

However, you should not list the piano for this price. By listing the piano for a price about 12% higher than the FMV, then negotiating a lower price (that is close to the FMW) with your buyer will make them feel as though they are getting a good deal. Both you and the buyer will be happy because you sold your piano for its FMV and the buyer got the piano for a “deal”.

Movement and Shipping Costs

A price completely separate from the piano itself, which you should list in the description and/or total price, is the movement cost of the piano. Since pianos are such large and fragile objects, the cost of shipping them increases exponentially with distance. Additionally, moving the piano to a tough location in the house, such as up flights of stairs, can tack on a price that is important to display so that it does not sneak up on the buyer and turn them away from the sale.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot more that goes with selling your piano than just a picture and some text. The whole process of selling your piano is a battle to capture the attention of potential buyers. You may find that after some time, interest in your piano has died down. This is simply because your listing has fallen behind those of other sellers. Your information may be inadequate or your pictures and price may be unappealing.

All of the factors discussed earlier in the article have a substantial impact on whether your piano will sell. Oftentimes, you might even have to decrease the price of your piano for it to gain more attention from potential buyers.

That being said, there are other options to selling your piano. For instance, you could sell it to a piano shop, who will then sell it to a customer. Hulme and Sweeney Pianos can assist you with any questions regarding selling and can appraise your piano so you can determine its FMV. Feel free to visit us or give us a call!

Benefits of Buying a Used Piano

Most of us love the thrill and excitement we experience from purchasing a brand new luxury item. That same feeling entices people when they walk into a showroom filled with beautiful, new pianos and envision one in their home. However, just because a piano is new, does that mean it’s the best option for beginning music lessons?

New pianos offer peace of mind when you shop, assuming they are free of defects and come with a manufacturer’s warranty. However, used pianos already have depreciation factored in, usually have a more mellow tone, and are considerably less expensive. Let’s look at how choosing a used or even rebuilt piano might be an ideal investment as you select a piano for yourself or contemplate lessons for your child.

Refurbished Pianos are More Affordable

Purchasing a used piano can stretch your budget for a better brand and maybe longer soundboard, rather than settling for a smaller, entry-level new piano. In addition to less depreciation, a first-rate used piano brings an opportunity to find unique older styles and wood finishes, plus the possibility of a richer, warmer tone. Ultimately, a good refurbished piano might allow you to get the best piano possible for your price range.

Used Pianos Have Less Value Depreciation

In glancing at a few retailer websites or showrooms, you find that many new pianos made by the top brands start at around $10,000 for consoles and reach considerable amounts for grand pianos. Not only can these instruments be out of budget, but their potential resell price also substantially drops when it reaches your home.

Depreciation is a significant factor when purchasing a new piano, unlike a used one. A new instrument will lose approximately 20% of its value by the end of the first year, then roughly 5% each year after for the next ten years. This aspect of a piano purchase is one of the overriding reasons many people choose a used piano. A refurbished, well-maintained used instrument will retain a more significant portion of its value if you decide to resell it in the future.

Reputable Piano Rebuilders offer Warranties

Quality refurbished pianos often come with a warranty on parts and labor from a reputable technician, making them a trustworthy purchase. Used pianos are also much less affected by depreciation should you or your child discontinue lessons.

Buying a used piano with a warranty, plus knowing its value will not be entirely lost if you sell your piano, provides a level of confidence in your decision.

At Hulme and Sweeney, our pianos always come with the assurance of a 5-year warranty on parts and labor.

Used Pianos Present a Variety of Styles

Shopping for a used piano adds a potential element of fun if you like searching for something unique. Good used pianos can offer a greater variety of styles and finishes from years past that may not be found in today’s newest models.

Options and colors of wood finish, such as lacquer, satin, high-gloss, or something natural-looking, might be essential to you as you consider the room’s color schemes, furniture, and the piano you choose. Older pianos may have more exciting cabinet design features, enabling you to find something to match your home furnishings. Some pianos have beautifully carved music stands with ornate legs. In contrast, others offer efficient, industrial-style looks or even smooth, streamlined curves.

Tone: Older Pianos vs Newer Pianos

One other reason to consider purchasing a used piano is the appeal of its tone, which could significantly differ from newly made pianos. Warmer, more mellow tones were popular in early 20th-century pianos. Instruments built in recent years tend to have an overall brighter tone, as this seems to be what is currently in demand.

You may prefer one type of tone over another, but this is certainly something you should think about before investing in a piano. We suggest playing as many instruments as you can find to understand which one sounds best for your ear.

The Restored Piano Option

A similar but more costly option to a refurbished piano is that of a restored piano. The advantage of a fully restored or rebuilt piano is that a trained technician can take an older, high-quality brand piano and recreate the interior with new, modern mechanical parts.

Technology that exists today was not available 100 years ago when piano makers were crafting their premiere instruments. Thanks to innovations in carbon fiber action parts, carbon steel strings, and computer aid to correct design flaws, a skilled technician can bring an old piano to new performance levels. This means if you like the qualities of an older model Steinway, for example, but would like to customize certain features such as tone and action, this option allows you to modify the piano to your preferences.

Advantages of a Rebuilt Piano

Rebuilding a premium grand piano, such as Steinway, with all authentic parts in their New York location will cost around 80% of a new Steinway. A more reasonably priced alternative is to choose a skilled, professional independent piano builder who can use premium brand parts to rebuild an exceptional piano for a lower cost. A rebuilt piano from a trusted restoration company also provides protection from hidden defects and unexpected maintenance and will likely come with a warranty on the work.

All Students Need Good Pianos

Learning to play the piano is still essential to many children and adult students and finding a suitable piano within your budget is a vital part of this process. Parents often believe in the approach of buying the cheapest piano they find to see if their child is genuinely interested before investing in a better instrument.

The dilemma with this approach is a piano that has broken parts, fails to hold its tuning, or has terrible action will likely discourage a new student from continuing. Students become frustrated when they cannot duplicate melodies, harmonies, or technical passages they hear from a teacher during lessons. They may blame themselves for lack of progress rather than realizing it could be the piano’s poor condition.

Refurbished Pianos Offer Quality

Students learning to play the piano progress more quickly on a quality instrument. A properly working refurbished piano with unchipped keys and uniform action develops better finger strength and dexterity. A piano that stays in tune improves aural skills, while fully working pedals are essential for advancing students. Purchasing an antique instrument or accepting something for free in deplorable conditions will not provide these much-needed features for a student of any level.

Keep in mind certain piano manufacturers and models from particular decades should be avoided in your search. Many old, low-quality spinet and upright pianos are sold or given away by individuals in deteriorated conditions, and we do not recommend purchasing or accepting these instruments.

Finding a vertical console or small grand that was initially built with excellent craftsmanship is a good candidate for refurbishing to like-new conditions. We are happy to discuss the best brands of pianos at Hulme and Sweeney that we feel make excellent used instruments.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a piano for your child’s music education or your home encompasses a thoughtful search for an instrument that suits your needs and budget.

New pianos are easy to shop for at showrooms and come with the manufacturer’s warranty and no anticipated problems. However, the depreciation factor and immediate loss of financial value spur many piano shoppers to consider a high-quality, affordable, refurbished piano instead.

A restored or rebuilt piano might be an ideal option if you are looking for customized features. A rebuilt instrument is a great way to acquire a premium brand piano at a reduced cost with improvements that could possibly surpass its original condition.

Working with a knowledgeable, capable rebuilder offers a distinct advantage in being able to find or refurbish a piano to fantastic working conditions at a much more affordable price. As you begin your search, we invite you to Hulme and Sweeney Piano Service to discuss our selection of used pianos and restoration services.