Disklavier

I have posted to this list many reasons why you might
NOT want to price shop around the country and
elsewhere.  I still think you can get the best deal
from your local Yamaha dealer.  I have serviced
Disklaviers bought "from afar" and have found things
that ended up costing the buyer - in terms of both
money and angst. Rather than repeat my view here again,
I  have posted my opinions on my website,
www.carolrpt.com under the Ask Carol section.

Carol Beigel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Welcyng" <rwelcyng@...>
To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 4:26 PM
Subject: Re: [disklavier] Re: Pro Vs. DSK


> Primarily to Carl:
>
> Once you have narrowed down the DKV model that you
want, I suggest you
> contact some dealers around the country. Don't
overlook Canada. (Dealers
> may not seek you out beyond their territory, but they
are allowed to
> deal with you if you contact, or better, visit them.)
Set down a
> specific list of what you want--the model piano,
perhaps an adjustable
> bench, humidifier system, PianoSoft diskettes, setup
of the piano in
> your home, several tunings, etc.  Ask for
quotes--once, twice, three
> times--and share the numbers you get (not the dealer
names).  Then, tell
> them that you are ready to buy and will honor the
best and final offers
> (adjusted for shipping costs).  Of course, you are
going to pay cash.
> Get a loan from a bank if you need to. Don't get into
an "easy"
> installment purchase.
>
> I believe it is best to buy a piano that has never
been uncrated.  It
> probably started its journey from Hamamatsu.  The
crates are just sturdy
> enough, but adequately padded, and the instrument is
enveloped in a
> sealed bag containing a desiccant. A few thousand
miles more across the
> country is no big deal.  Dealers know the best means
of shipping and the
> costs are lower than what you might expect.
>
> Don't get in a big hurry.  Be aware that occasionally
there is a
> perfectly good, not the latest model, but still in
the crate, DKV
> languishing in some dealer's attic while the new
models roll in and out
> again.  That dealer, understanding your seriousness
to buy, might offer
> you a very attractive deal on it.
>
> Now, some of my friends are going to yell, "No! No!
You need local
> dealer support!"  I argue that: 1) The dealer who
sells to you (assuming
> he is reputable) will support the sale at a distance
just as well as a
> local dealer. 2) Independent piano technicians
perform most of the
> services anyway and are completely capable of
providing the needed
> support and, in turn, are supported by Yamaha of
America.
>
> As an example, a dealer in Portland, OR, sold a piano
to a party in
> Juneau, Alaska.  When the piano was unpacked, a
scratch was found on it.
>   The dealer sent their very skilled refinisher to
Juneau for a few
> days.  The repaired scratch was undetectable and the
customer was fully
> satisfied.
>