Yamaha U1, Grey market and all that

[Jon Page]

I had a request to appraise the 'better of two' pianos for a commercial 
establishment last year.
The two pianos were both 'grey market' and I advised the customer of the 
humidity concerns
but added that since the piano is being placed in a dining room of a hotel 
on a bluff overlooking
the Atlantic Ocean . . .

With a few hours of regulation (beyond the capabilities of the deeler - TV 
& Toaster guy) the piano
is enjoyed by all.

Regards,
Jon Page

At 10:59 AM 02/07/2001 +1300, you wrote:
>Hi Brian
>
>I usually don't bother making a distinction between used imported Yamahas 
>and new imported Yamahas because to the best of my knowledge, they are 
>both made for humid climates.  Therefore, we don't have the problems that 
>many U.S. and Australian techs face with these pianos due to being too 
>dry.  In fact, I think that the "grey market Yamahas" often represent 
>better value for money than other used piano brands, and I often recommend 
>them to piano buyers.  Of course, I also tell them to have every piano 
>appraised before purchase.
>
>Regards,
>     Stephen
>
>Stephen Powell RPT
>Auckland, NZ
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: BH <<mailto:bholden@wave.co.nz>bholden@wave.co.nz>
>>To: Pianotech Forum <<mailto:pianotech@ptg.org>pianotech@ptg.org>
>>Date: Wednesday, 7 February 2001 10:23 AM
>>Subject: Yamaha U1, Grey market and all that
>>
>>List
>>
>>As I am the person who started off all this correspondence regarding the 
>>suspect age of my customers newly acquired U1, I thought I would make a 
>>few comments.  I have told him the true age of the instrument and that he 
>>should mention this to the dealer, as they really should have been aware 
>>of this.  The difference between their 10 year estimate and the true 37 
>>year age is not acceptable.  Quite frankly, he paid too much for it and a 
>>partial refund is in order.  I have advised him to do this, but should he 
>>decide to pursue the matter, is entirely up to him.
>>
>>I have not told my customer about the Gray Market aspect (how can you 
>>kick a guy when he's down) and I don't think he would have any luck 
>>taking the dealer to task on that issue.  I have come into contact with a 
>>lot of Yamahas over the last 25 years and this one is on a par with the 
>>usual standard - mellow tone (as opposed to tinny), nice to tune, appears 
>>to be stable and requires minimum regulation.  It really is a lovely 
>>piano.  Bottom line - the customer is delighted with it.  With the little 
>>tip I gave him regarding the piano's age, I think that's all he needs to 
>>know.
>>
>>Thanks for the replies to my initial query.
>>
>>Brian Holden, Piano Tuner, New Zealand