Disklavier

I suppose the picture Carol paints may be valid in some cases, but happily it
does not reflect my experience at all.  My best and final offer came from a
distant, not a local dealer.  Since I made it clear that that was my last and
final call, it would have been unethical of me, I felt, to continue negotiating
by asking my local dealer to match that offer--all dealers had the same
opportunity.  And, yes, the local dealer was sore.  As it turned out, they went
out of business several years later.  Assuming that I was not the straw that
broke their back, they would not have been there long to support me anyway.  

The piano setup and all maintenance have been performed by a competent
Yamaha-trained local RPT.  He works independently of any dealer.  My distant
dealer has always been responsive and cordial, although, frankly, the only
support I have ever needed has been the purchase of an adjustable bench and some
PianoSoft disks.  Any warranty work needed can be done through my RPT who has a
direct channel to Yamaha.  For example, he updated my E-PROM without going
through a dealer.  (That direct support of Yamaha seems to make sense, as some
people do buy an instrument in city A and then later move to city B, or, as I
have noted, dealers sometimes come and go.)

Buying remotely may not be for everyone.  If you have a dealer nearby and feel
the need of a face-to-face relationship and want the security of being able to
get your hands on the lapels of a salesperson regarding your questions or
problems, then you possibly won't choose to shop around.

Carol Beigel wrote:
> 
> If a Mercedes dealer was located down the street, and you bought your new
> Mercedes 300 miles from where you lived because they could save you a few
> bucks, or the shipping was cheaper than the local sales tax,etc. , would you
> expect them to give you the same service as their local customers?  Keep
> dreaming!  True, Yamaha has the best service support in the industry, and
> you get one free in-home tuning after delivery.  End of dealer obligation.
> 
> Chances are, that if you buy from the local Yamaha Dealer, they will "match"
> a reasonable offer.  They may also throw in a few extras, like another free
> tuning, free speakers, extra disks, etc.  Remember, you are going to need
> that local dealer to facilitate service and repairs - just like you would a
> new Mercedes.  Sometimes, what you  save up front can cost you big time down
> the road!
> 
> Carol Beigel
> 
> >From: "Robert E. Welcyng" <rwelcyng@...>
> >Reply-To: disklavier@egroups.com
> >To: disklavier@egroups.com
> >Subject: [disklavier] Buying a Disklavier
> >Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 17:20:33 -0900
> >
> >Jim,
> >
> ........The setup of
> >the piano and its subsequent maintenance will be done by independent RPTs
> >anyway, so it doesn't really matter if the instrument is purchased locally
> >or
> >gets shipped across the country.  It might be preferable, though, to get
> >one
> >that has never been out of the crate.  Only Yamaha dealers in your area can
> >approach you, but you may seek out any and Yamaha will still support you
> >100%.
> >The quality of dealer support may vary somewhat, but you can count on
> >support
> >from even a distant dealer from whom you have purchased.
> >
> >Good luck!
> 
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-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska