Hello Everyone!

As mentioned above, I need some assistance in obtaining the MSRP for the NU1. I have searched the internet relentlessly for this information; however, I did stumble upon Larry Fine Piano Buyer Guide, fall edition. In the price section it has the NU1 listed at a MSRP of 5495.

On a more serious note, I went to a local piano store today, which is the only Yamaha dealer in the San Diego area; they have the NU1 listed at an MSRP of 6495! Can this be right? Moreover, I just want to check the facts before I dive right in. Frankly, I was offered the piano at around 5200, which does NOT include tax or delivery,totaling around 5770! YIKES!! Of course, I nodded my head, about-faced, and ran like a bat out of h*ll because the MSRP sounded rather specious to me. *GASP*


Anyways, I'm fairly new to the forum in terms of posting, but I have been a grumpy old troll for the past six months or so. Likewise, I have tried the Kawai 65 & 95, but I feel in love with the touch of the NU1. Any information would be helpful!

I think you can call Yamaha to confirm details like MSRP. The Piano Buyer is a good source, but the timing of publication could have missed a price increase.

FYI someone told me they got a NU1 for $3870 'out the door' in Southern California. I got mine for $3999 + tax and delivery in the Seattle area.

I have to a laugh. I've never seen the same MSRP on two identical Yamaha pianos in two stores in my life. Even when the stores belonged to the same owner they simultaneously had different MSRPs. At least cars have stickers in their window. Piano dealers make car dealers look good.

The latest Keyboard magazine has it Listed as $5500.00

I think pianobuyer.com is trustworthy. If it says $5495, I'd go with that.

I wonder why is it that have an urgent need to know the MSRP?

In response to MacMacMac, I plan to in a couple of weeks make the daunting decision between the NU1 or the Kawai 95. At this moment, I'm gravitating towards the NU1 because of the acoustic action, which I adore compared to the archaic Technics PCS 25 in my living room. Since this will be a major purchase for me, the first time, I want to make sure that I'm not getting ripped off.

On a more serious note, I called around a couple of places in southern California and they have the NU listed at 5495 MSRP, one dealer even mention that Yamaha has told them to "increase" the MSRP, indeed, some rather specious to me. Anyways, I taught it was quite strange, at first, to find the dealer listing the NU1 at above 1,000 dollars from its MSRP of 5495. Again, I just want to make sure that I'm not getting the run-around because this is my first time, purchasing a piano.

Sgt T: The prices-paid thread is usually a good resource for many digital piano purchases. But the NU1 is quite new, and no one has yet listed a purchase price of an NU1.

In general, starting with the list price I would deduct 35% and make that my offer. So if the list price is $5500, I'd offer $3600 ... and accept a counter offer of $3900.

Be conscious of the dealer's delivery charge before you make an offer (because the dealer might pad the delivery charge to make up for a low selling price).

Good luck.

Hello
May I ask you if you have tried both pianos (CA95 and NU1) ?
About the price, I cannot help you as I got mine in Europe (France)
Cheers,

Thanks for the advice, MacMacMac!





Yes, I had a chance to play both pianos; however, I found the action on the CA 95 to be rather light, to my taste. I prefer a much heavier action and the NU1, quite rightly, has the touch I'm looking for in a digital piano that fits my budget.

Both pianos are remarkable, in their own right, but I found the NU1 to be more expressive when playing it. Of course, this is a rather subjective observation from a person-me, who has been taking lessons for roughly 7 months.


Confirmed with Yamaha US yesterday: MSRP 5495 US

Ok, thanks for sharing your opinions, and that is also exactly the reason why I made the choice of the NU1, but the Kawai is also a great piano (but I preferred heavier touch which is identical to my teacher piano)
Good luck for your purchase

Sgt T -

FWIW, I think MacMacMac is giving very good advice. Whether you get a good deal or not doesn't depend so much on what the theoretical list price is. It depends more on how effectively you negotiate.

You already have a little bit of information regarding the price range for actual transactions, which are obviously quite a bit lower than any MSRP you've heard quoted. That's useful.

The MSRP is basically a negotiating tool for the dealer. It creates so-called "anchor" price: the higher he says it is, the more tempted you may be to take a price favorable to him. But in the end, it's totally up to you whether you accept the validity of an MSRP as a justification for a particular price offer from the dealer.

Your best tool in the negotiation is your BATNA: your "best alternative to a negotiated agreement." In other words, you have the choice to buy an NU1, or go buy something else, or even postpone the purchase. Unless you actually say to the dealer that the NU1 is your be-all and end-all of digital pianos (a mistake, in my view), he will have an incentive to negotiate more aggressively, believing that he has serious competition.

You can say to the dealer, in essence, "I've evaluated several high-end digital pianos. A couple of them suit my needs. I'm ready to buy one today. I think the NU1 (or the CA95, whichever) is a great instrument, and I'd like to own one, but I need to stay within my budget." Then make an offer of the kind MacMacMac proposed. This kind of approach doesn't have to be confrontational. A good dealer will accord more respect to a buyer who has done his homework, and who maintains a confident and friendly tone.

IMO, when you've made up your mind to buy a piano, you have to walk into the store and convince the dealer of two things: first, that you are ready to buy one today (so he knows you aren't just pulling his chain); and, second, that you are willing to walk away if you don't get a price you consider fair.

Kind regards,

B.