I am looking to buy a piano for my 5 year old. I do not play but I decided on the Yamaha T118 based on you guys recommendation on this forum.

My local dealer is quoting 4.3K plus 200 delivery. I want to try and see if he is willing to knock off 300.

I am also considering buying it long distance from either CA (really far) or MD (closer). I know it costs less in CA so I think I can probably get the one I really want, which is the T118 Mahogany, even after factoring in delivery charges.

Another option is to buy it from a dealer in Maryland. Not sure about the exact price but I am pretty sure it's lower. The Maryland dealer was really nice over the phone. He seems really honest and even encouraged me to try to buy it locally.

The local dealer keeps telling me he has a lot of interests on the piano and want me to pay to hold it. I guess I feel a little insulted because I am pretty sure he does not have that many leads on the piano. If he does, why would he call me 4 times a day!

Anyway, I told him I will stop by tomorrow to see the piano because the last time I was there that piano was not in stock. I am feeling kind of intimidated already because I know he will pressure me to buy it. My husband will be going with me this time. He knows nothing about piano either. We're really the blind leading the blind.

I guess I need to decide
1) What's a reasonable price to offer and
2) Should I forget buying locally and get it elsewhere?

I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

I can't answer your pricing question as I live in Canada and things cost more here for a variety of reasons. However, congratulations on your choice! I'm sure you will love your T118 once you settle on a dealer. It should serve your child well for many years of lessons.

Mine just got its second warranty tuning last night and I'm still in love with it. Actually, I'm even more in love with it than I was before.

A quick google search brought up this: http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthrea...ite_id/1#import

Apparently the piano is like the U1 except made in China, not Japan (albeit from the fine city of Hangzhou [my hometown])

In the above particular thread the "minimum advertised price" by Yamaha is approximately $3.5K.

Take note that the thread was from 11/2007. I'm pretty sure the market has changed by then (ie: increased interests, inflation etc..). But then again, 11/07 was RIGHT before the recession started, so its not unreasonable to ask the dealer for at least $300 off your quoted price!

Thank you both! This has got to be the worst shopping experience for me.

I am so torn. I think mainly because I don't really want to do business with the local dealer but he's my only choice within 30 miles radius. I feel that he's using my lack of knowledge in piano to his advantage. For example, he kept pushing for a deposit and told me that would allow him to deliver the piano to me while it's new in the box, instead of having to put it on the floor first. After doing some research on this forum, I found that it's not a wise thing to take delivery before the dealer tune and prep it. That makes me worry about buying the piano from him because there is no trust in this relationship LOL!

Keep stalling until the dealer begs you to let him cut the price.
Forget that deposit nonsense.

Don't ever buy until you are ready.
Don't ever buy a piano you are not totally happy with.
I recommend you buy from your local dealer if at all possible. Long distance relationships are much more complicated. That doesn't give liscense for a dealer to gouge or be uncooperative. Discount pricing varies by market and demand. MSRP on the T118 MP is $5,999. A $4300 price would represent a 28% discount. Very good in many markets.