Spinet Advice

[Thomas D. Seay, III]

>Dear List:
>
>I was curious as to what advice members of this list would give to a lady who
>asked me;
>
>"I am calling a number of piano tuners for their
> advice.  I am looking at buying a used Baldwin
>spinet piano, for $1000.00, from a musical family
>that has it tuned every six months. I would like
> your advice as to whether to buy it now, while
> we have the money, or hold out for an upright
> for more money later? "
>
>For the sake of this inquiry, that is her entire question.  To limit the
>inquiry, you cannot ask how old it is ( she doesn't know) , etc., just
>respond to the limited question as it stands.
>

Greetings,

How on earth can you presume to tell a person whether or not to buy a used
piano over the telephone when you haven't even laid eyes on it? It could be
a wonderful bargain or a wretched mess and you have absolutely no idea
which! You're either a hero or a goat, depending on what the piano is like.

"Mrs. X, I'm afraid I can't advise you about purchasing this piano until I
have had a chance to thoroughly examine it for you. My fee for an appraisal
is $XX.00. When would you like me to appraise it for you?"

Tom Seay
Piano Tech Office
232-2072
mailto:t.seay@mail.utexas.edu