Hey guys... I just wanted to let you know I am the buyer (sorry Poli). We were certainly not looking at a purchase this big but after seeing it,we couldn't pass! It is absolutely gorgeous and other than a couple of blemishes here and there we bought it the same night we came to see it.
My wife found a local technician to meet us at the home and the guy was simply blown away. I don't know much about pianos but when the technician sat down and played it, it was the most wonderful sound I've heard yet, and it hasn't been tuned! After thoroughly checking out the sound board, strings, hammers, and cosmetic condition, he gave us a HUGE thumbs up. Once we told him how much we were getting it for, he said "Give it to me!!". He couldn't believe what a bargain we got. One thing though.. our technician estimated it was at least 5-7 years old and that it might have come from some kind of piano academy since he said the hammers had wear on it consistent with moderate usage. It certainly isn't brand new as was advertised. However, he said that is not an issue and the rest of the parts are in perfect condition. One feature that is really sweet is that the panel that covers the keyboard is on some sort of lever that closes smoothly once you let it go and technician said that feature was released within the past 10 years. We made a deal with the technician to come out to our home and tune/regulate it once delivered. Well, it was delivered this morning and the technician will be coming out Saturday morning.

I too was alittle weary of this sale especially since the price didn't match up and with the seller's story, it sounded a bit too fishy. However, after looking at the condition of the piano and hearing it, we couldn't pass it up. I made the 2.5 hr trip from South Orange County on Tuesday night in the middle of rush hour traffic and didn't regret it. I was still skeptical so after putting a really small deposit down ($200), I insisted we take the bench and sliding panel that holds up the music sheet as collateral.

I don't know much about the lady that sold it but she trusted us enough to pay the balance of the piano once we go it delivered! She was very nice and we are very pleased with the transaction. She uses a reputable piano moving company and trusts them enough for us to hand over cash to them. They actually delivered it today (Thanksgiving). I spent 2 sleepless nights thinking of everything that can go wrong but since we had the bench and panel, that made me feel a alittle bit at ease.

Poli, just to give you a heads up, her price is NOT set in stone.. If the sellers next one is in any condition that this one is, I think you would be getting a great deal! I can upload pics if anyone is interested.

Thank you and good luck..

Hi h lefty. And, welcome to the forum! Wow, what a story!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you hear about the piano? Did you find out about it by reading Poli's thread on Piano World? Just curious.

Congratulations on your piano, and thanks for sharing your story with us... post pictures when you can.

Rick

H lefty. Many congratulations on a great purchase! Although I am a bit disappointed, at least that piano found a nice home. I was wondering...did you have to pay for shipping? Were you able to get a good deal on that? Apparently your piano should have been voiced and regulated on Wednesday. How does it sound after it has been tuned up? Now that I heard about you positive experience I may contact the seller again to see if she has any other good deal. Overall, she is very nice...it is just that many things about that deal were...well...strange. I am glad it worked out well for you. Many congratulations again and happy Thanksgivig!

We found the piano on CL which is where I assume Poli found it. I found this forum on Wednesday after we had already put down the deposit Tuesday night because I was nervous about it. I didn't want to post anything until the piano was physically in my home just in case I got scammed :P

About shipping.. I think the original price included shipping and tuning and since we struck a deal on Tues. night she never tuned it. We got the price down an extra $650 so we paid for shipping and tuning. Her shipping guy only charged us $200 to ship it about 55 miles south AND on thanksgiving day! The movers were really professional and did a great job. Like I said earlier, we gave the movers the balance for the piano once it was delivered, assembled, and moved into place. We were handed 2 receipts... 1 for the piano paid in full and 1 for the moving. Smooth!

The technician that came out to see the piano with us on Tues. will be coming over on Saturday morning to tune/regulate although I have some family members that played it today and it sounded great. I'm sure it'll sound much better once tuned/regulated.

Here are the pics in case anyone is interested. Everything seems geniune and orignal but if anyone sees anything unusual or iffy, please let me know:

http://hai-lefty.smugmug.com/Category/YC-Pramberger/20251921_djjxPt

All in all, this was out of our price range but after getting this deal done and seeing it in our house, I couldn't be happier. Good luck to you Poli, hope you find a great deal yourself.

Wow.. Great story, lefty!! congratulations on your new-to-you piano! Love the pictures, I looks great!

Good luck!

Awesome! And thanks for the details about the shipping cost. I suppose the piano is in the first floor. I will keep my eyes open for another deal. General question to all of you. How much would it cost to have a piano like that voiced tuned and regulated? Many thanks.

H lefty. Should I end up purchasing a piano from the same dealer may I teller her I "know" you via some Internet blog and I know the details of your transaction? That should increase my negotiating power by quite a bit. Thanks!

Still me. Lefty, if you would like to find out more about the history of your piano you may want to call YC at 3106372000. I called her to verify the serial number (the piano was built at the end of 2002) but they may have more useful information for you.

Nice pictures, Lefty!

The piano does indeed look beautiful in your home!

Rick

Prices vary by locale.
Assuming a pitch raise isn't necessary, $125 is about the going rate where I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC.
Regarding regulation and voicing, I would think $1500 should cover it - but the piano may not need that much work. It depends on the condition. See if the tech who inspects it for you is willing to put half of the inspection fee towards the work to be done.
=======================
I prefer the sound of a good YC or YP to Yamaha or Kawai. One man's opinion. Also, as for the size of the instrument, I would have a hard time turning down a very good 7'4" piano for a Steinway O or similar size Fazioli or Mason & Hamlin of that size. Again - one man's opinion.

Good luck in your hunt.

Thanks for the kind words on our new piano! We really love it... Poli, no problems telling the seller you know us. You can PM me and I can give you my wife's name, they will remember her since she was the deal maker! I was just there to make sure we didn't get ripped off.. hahaha.

Anyways, I already called YC to get some info on this piano and they had absolutely nothing other than the manufacture date was end of 2002 as you've stated. I found that out on Wed. after we had already put our deposit down. We felt it was still a bargain given the condition and praise from our independant technician.

Out of curiosity, would anyone know the appraisal value of this piano after checking out our pics? I'm not looking to flip it but was just wondering.

Thanks everyone!

Wow what a story!! This is just wierd!