Next time you're shopping pretend trying to buy 10 pianos - not just one.

1] Would you be more attracted to those who can supply immediately or those for whom some waiting time may be in order?

2] Before you buy, perhaps call the dealer and tell him you already own the piano and now wish to sell it.
Ask 'how much' he is willing to buy the piano back from you.
Pretty 'tough' market analysis...

The answers to above questions may or may not be of any use to you.

But it may shield you a bit against unsubstantiated claims made at point of purchase.
On which a lot of sales seem being made.

Any use in the above?

Norbert

Your second point seems pretty spot on. I know that when my hubby (rare coin dealer) gets somebody trying to sell a coin to him, they often name an outlandishly high price and argue that an appraiser allegedly told them it was worth that much. His response is usually to tell the customer to go try and sell the coin to the appraiser at that price and see where that gets them.

Many people don't understand at gut level the difference between wholesale and retail.

Why would a dealer even answer the second question? Don't you "qualify" a seller just like you do a "prospect"?

Because the inquiry would not come from a prospect in person but "anonymously", perhaps his or her husband/wife doing the call.

Just to check in "BEFORE" piano was to be purchased....

Last week witnessed a situation where someone was represented by dealer at purchase their piano would "appreciate by millions" when in fact they lost nearly half selling it in only 6 years.

The question is how often this "appreciation bit" is being used by dealers in today's market and to which extent people are believing it.

Norbert