[pianotech] Upright price

[David Love]

Let's presume it's free (there are an abundance of these types of
instruments that are).  Moving $250, tuning (pitch correction presumed)
$250, basic repairs for baseline functionality $500-1000.  They're in it for
$1000- 1500 and still have a 90-year-old piece of junk probably.  Generally
I don't advise people to take these types of instruments even if they are
free. As Michael said, if they are agonizing over some "fair" price between
$50 and $275 then the likelihood of them spending on necessary repairs is
remote and maybe not even advisable.  Is it money well spent?  Probably not.
Those are the issues that should be discussed.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Spalding
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7:08 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Upright price

Noah,

In agonizing over the difference between $50 and $275, you and the 
potential buyer are missing the more important point.  To make it play 
and sound like a piano again, it will cost how much?  $500?  A thousand 
dollars?  More?  Is the buyer willing to spend that kind of money?  If 
not, the buyer shouldn't buy it at any price.

Mike

On 11/29/2011 8:27 AM, Noah Frere wrote:
> I gave an estimate for repairs/assessment last week of a 90 year old 
> Werner upright who's player components had been removed. The insides 
> were as expected, though on the better side. Only one broken note 
> (hammer flange), few if any cracks in soundboard/bridges. However, the 
> sound was clearly 90 years old and the bobbling hammers, etc. left 
> much to be desired.
>
> The seller was asking $275, to which I immediately responded (the 
> potential buyer and I were alone) that it was too much, and I would 
> ask for it for $50, but go up to $100 or even $150. Soon afterwards my 
> attention went back to the case, which I had forgotten about, and 
> realized it was in very good condition. The owner came in, and, 
> hearing about the condition of the interior, and the $100 offer, began 
> to cry. She needed to sleep on it.
>
> As the hours and days progressed, I started double-guessing myself. 
> Had I over-emphasized the interior while ignoring the quality exterior?
> Maybe it /was /worth $275.
>
> Hmm...