Here is my situation and hope someone can give me some advice. I am looking to buy a new Yamaha U1 in the SF Bay Area. I haven't visited any stores but have called around trying to get a quote. I was told I can only buy new U1 from a authorized dealer. Is that true? I thought there are stores selling new U1 but they are not Yamaha authorized dealer. Can someone tell me what is the different in buying from an authorized dealer and a regular retailer? Thank you.

The other dealers are selling used pianos and Yamaha doesn't like that so they tell their dealers to say they are authorized so people feel better about buying from them. At least that's been my impression.

My guess is that you can only buy a new Yamaha from an authorized dealer. I doubt that there are any unauthorized dealers selling new Yamahas. If Yamaha is selling its new pianos through authorized dealers only, where would an unauthorized dealer get a new Yamaha to resell to a customer?

My guess also is that you can only get a new piano warranty with a new Yamaha if you buy it from an authorized dealer.

Thank you Rank Piano Amateur. This is what got me all confused. A friend told me she bought a new U1 from a unauthorized retailer a few years ago for $7K and another friend told me she saw a new U1 at another unauthorized retailer. If unauthorized retailers are not allowed to sell new Yamaha pianos, where do they get those new yamaha from.

Sometimes other dealers will buy unsold piano from another dealer that went out of business, or sometimes they stop representing a brand, but still have new stock to liquidate.

Either way, if you want warranty, buy from an authorized dealer. Authorized dealers can also offer $7k (or less!).