Hi Everyone - I'm looking hard at the 5'5" and 6'1" pianos that Dongbei produces for the likes of Hallet Davis, Baldwin and Nordiska. I'll need to get a good price to be able to afford the 6'1", but understand that there are some supply issues right now. To what extent is this true?

It's tough to negotiate a good price when certain pianos are hard to find! Have any dealers gotten insight from Dongbei or distributors around when they plan to return to a steady supply? I'm in no rush and am happy to wait for things to pick up again. Just wondering how long that will be.

Lastly, should I have any cause for concern that if they're cranking fast to fill back orders that quality will dip?

Yes, we've noticed this with other manufacturers as well. One of our concerns as a piano retailer is the possible continuation of price increases (wholesale) due to supply and demand. We've already experienced some manufacturers increasing their wholesale prices twice within the last year, which ultimately results in a higher price for the consumer. No one can predict the bottom of a market, but we may be experiencing it now.

In regard to your last question. That's a very good point, many are wondering the same thing, but no one can answer that until we can play and evaluate the new piano(s) when they are eventually shipped to the U.S. In the meantime, why don't you consider the many opportunities and pianos that are available right now?

Goiing in reverse, do not assume that the workers at Dongbei are sitting on the shipping dock playing mahjong. Baldwin is busy in the Chinese consumer market trying to profit from build on its good name. Production is most likely ongoing. This question may be just a matter of allocation to different markets.

Being in no rush may expose you to higher prices (as Nancy said and Mike implied on the other thread). I don't know if a 6'1" Hallet or Baldwin is the greatest buy on the market (as Mike said), but they do seem a bit underpriced. Their MSRP's are modest and the SMP is very low. If MSRP prices change, they won't go lower.

Nordiskas are pretty much gone from the US market although Baldwin may control the name in other markets. Since you like the Hallet sound, If I were you, I'd be pushing North American Music to find me the closest retailer who has Hallet inventory in the 6'1" size and I'd make the same inquiry with Baldwin's US distributor.

If I were a Chinese piano maker, I'd sell pianos to the country that produced the most profit. The Dongbei Baldwin I saw last summer wasn't bad for tone and action. I don't know how well it tuned up. I thought it was a good value for the money.

Thanks all for the input - particularly helpful given how little info there is out there on what's going on over at Dongbei's plant. Maybe LF's new supplement will bring some more answers?

I'll let everyone know how I make out...