Petrof

[Richard Brekne]

Wimblees@aol.com wrote:

>Several months ago an online customer asked my advice about purchasing a piano. She wound up buying a Petrof. Now she heard Petrof is in trouble, and that Geneva bailed them out. Now she thinks she made a bad decision.
>
>Any of you know the details of what the story is with Petrof?
>
>Wim
>
>_______________________________________________
>caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>  
>
Usual kinds of problems in the western world.... compounded by problems 
incurred from being an immerging economy from the old Soviet block, and 
a tradition for shoddy quality control on all levels of endeavour.  
Actually, I've always thought it rather amazing that Petrof could 
produce a piano as nice as theirs really is in spite of the wildly 
variant qualitiy control.

Reports that things have gotten better these last years are only 
partially true.  Production quality seems markedly improved, but the 
local dealer still reports all kinds of delivery problems... everything 
from busted up case parts to grands being shipped with the wrong legs. 

I suspect the importer in the US shields the local dealers and end users 
from much of these kinds of problems... but that means they have to 
function in too high degree as Petrofs QA department... which no doubt 
becomes tiresome.

All very sad... because the general sound picture of Petrof uprights and 
grands is really quite nice.  In fact, I would go so far as to say they 
*could* produce a grand that could threaten the absolute best of 
pianos.... if they would put their collective minds to it.

I wouldnt say your customer make a mistake mind you.  Once you have your 
piano you have it... and its rare you have any dealings with the 
manufacturer afterwards.  If she is happy with the instrument... then 
she should remain so.

Cheers
RicB