10 Check List when you buy a piano from individual sellers
The age of the piano is one of the measurements to buy piano. Usually, old pianos need repairs after the purchase. We don’t recommend buying a piano 30 years or older from an individual. Often piano will have a major problem around this age, such as hard hammers, loose tuning pins, and sluggish action.
To see the age of the piano, you need a serial number, which is located inside the piano or back of the piano. You may call us with the name of the brand and serial number to find out its age, or check “blue book of the pianos” online. You can find major manufactures’ serial number lists. It also gives you values and new prices for major brands.
www.Bluebookofthepianos.com
It is safer to purchase the name you know. But it would be pricier than a no-name brand, buying a used piano is somewhat similar buying a used car. Reputable brand/manufacture is generally safer to buy.
Recommendation: Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai
When you buy a piano by yourself, you need to arrange the piano move. That could be costly especially need to carry up / down staircases. Also, it is in the far distance, or another state could be expensive. We recommend hiring professional piano movers especially the grand pianos. Depends on the brand, the leg attached different way. Some of the regular furniture movers have not correct tools.
Moving cost (hyperlink to our moving, or create piano moving estimation)
The price is also the factor that it should buy or not, but do not forget the additional fee such as moving and repair/tuning.
Make sure that it fits into your apartment or your building’s elevator. It is wise to note the exact size before purchase it. Most upright measure within 5 feet wide and 2 feet depts, and hights depends on the type of the piano.
For the upright, there are the 3 major types. There are spinet, console, and upright, The spinets are shortest in height, usually under 42”. The consoles are a slightly higher than spinets usually 40~44” in heights. The difference in spirits and consoles is the action, spinet has dop action which meaning the hammers are connected with wire and almost the same hights as keys. The console has a compact action which is smaller than regular action. We recommend not to purchase the spinet from the individuals.
Ask the seller how he/she got the piano. If he/she purchase it from the store new, ask when he/she purchased. If he/she got from neighbors, Craig’s list, or other individuals the higher chance that it was neglected for maintenance, Pianos are like a car, they need periodical tune-up. Also, ask when the piano tuned last.
Check all keys are working. And check any broken part or missing part.
Try playing it if you can, or bring someone who can play.
You really want the piano after research or seeing it, we recommend to hire a piano technician who can check the condition especially the critical mechanism. It will cost you roughly $100 ~$200. But it needs repair or could be not fixable, you will lose the piano cost + Moving + your time.