We have been looking at pianos for our two daughters for a while now.

Today we saw a Samik 5'8" grand (baby grand?) from 1996. It was used in a school environment. It plays well, and we like the sound, etc. The insides of the piano appear to be fine (hammers, strings, soundboard), and have been told this by the salesperson.

But... the cabinet is very very banged up. Chips all around 360 degrees (some raw wood peeking through). At some point they tried to move the piano and caught the hinge of the lid on a doorframe. The lid has been reattached, but part of the veneer on the interior of the piano (about 4 inches by 1 inch) chipped off from this.

The piano store is asking $4700 for the piano, with a 10 year warranty on the lid repair, and a 5 year trade up guarantee (where we would be credited the amount we spend on this piano for another better piano in the future).

We are getting desperate for a new piano for our girls, as ours no longer holds a tune. We are price sensitive--we have been looking at uprights, but know that we would continue to "long" for a grand (especially the teenage daughter....). We have been looking at Craig's list, but it is expensive and time consuming to check out pianos, and to keep having our technician come out to each piano out.

We would really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Seems a bit much for a banged up 14 year-old Samick, don't you think?

Do disregard the trade up option, unless you are planning to change pianos before the trade up time is up.

Hope this helps!

I agree with Tom...

The Samick is not a bad piano, per-se...

If it was in good condition, cosmetically and mechanically, it might be a good deal. If the case is as bad as you say, I'd keep looking or offer about half as much.

Besides, it will be in your home and you will look at it more than you will play it, most likely...

Good luck!

Rick

If it is as banged up as you say, the dealer acquired the piano for near nothing as a tradein or just the price of the move so.....$4700 would be a home run for them. Usually pianos that are abused on the outside are neglected on the inside as in just performing minimal maintenance. Institutional pianos get their high milage workout in a short period. That piano was not really of institutional quality level to begin with.

Kind of like a car. If one sees a beat up dented used car you know they didn't change the oil every 3000 miles. I'd pass at any price.

Thanks all - the light dawned on us last night that we were nuts to even be considering this one! Appreciate your comments.

Round these parts, you could find one with a good cabinet on Craigs list for $3500 or less.