The ultimate fate of "Piano Boomer" generation.

[Andrew Anderson]

I get these calls a lot.  I charge to evaluate a piano, something I  
discuss up front.  Ocasionaly I encounter gems but generally, in this  
climate, the piano is trash.  Sometimes people want a tuneup so they  
can sell and often I must tell them that tuneup cost will exceed  
likely market value.  I point out that if the piano is repareable a  
potential customer may want to do that to have something more  
affordable then a new piano.  Used pianos don't necessarily sell  
quickly here.  I know someone who has had a collection for some time  
now that he hoped would be an investment.  I've reviewed all of them  
and have steered people his way as they are good.  I also have a piano  
store here and sell new pianos.  I've sold more then he has.  People  
want "new".  If the piano is trash I don't waste their time and  
generally discount my fee and get out the door.  There are lots of  
those type here.  For some time an individual has been bringing dead  
trade-in pianos from dealers upstate and beyond and selling them as  
fixer-uppers.  I don't think he has been selling much lately.  Word  
gets around.

No doubt there are other markets where there are a lot of fine museum  
quality pieces.  Humidity cycles a lot here and gets very high at  
times.  It is not uncommon to see rusted out interiors.  I've been  
called to estimate repair of a piano so the kids could take lessons.   
Fully sixty per-cent of the strings were broken.  Much more was wrong  
with it but I was out of there quick with a recommendation to look at  
good used pianos or if they couldn't afford them to get a digital  
piano (not a keyboard) and plan on upgrading in three to four years if  
the student sticks to it.

There probably are quite a variety of experiences to relate regarding  
this.

Andrew Anderson

On Jul 28, 2008, at 5:46 AM, Garret Traylor wrote:

> Ron N. posted me an edited version of a newsletter article he wrote  
> some time ago "It ain't the fall I mind, so much; it's the sudden  
> stop."  The article reminded me that I deal with the broader  
> question I deal with more and more probably four times a week; a  
> question that will likely increase and not decrease as the "Piano  
> Boomers" near their ultimate fate.
>
> When someone is trying to clean out their house, or another person  
> is seeking a piano for their children to learn on; what advice do  
> you give provide the initial callers as a choice between the (not)  
> fixer-upper “Piano Boomer” and a better piano?  Use professional  
> mover to haul to the Dump? Service? Repair? Destroy? Rebuild? Newer  
> Used? Digital?
>
> Kindest Regards,
> Garret

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