Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Bechstein B208 or Schimmel K230

With the crazy changes in currency valuation recently, the price will probably depend a lot on how the dealer finances the piano delivery from Europe.

Yeah, in New Zealand it is.
How did the sauter 220 cheaper than Schimmel K230 in Europe?
Moreover, Interestingly, Sauter’s stunning wood veneers (such as walnut, mahogany, oak, ash, or alder) are approximately 5% cheaper than the black polish.

For me definitely Sauter, if I have neither of them. But to my surprise, after I have own a Sauter piano, it seems that Schimmel becomes ten times more appealing to me than before. The character of its sound is very modern. So different, even opposite to Sauter, or other top refined German makes. The feeling is interesting.

You can look at pianobuyer guide to see the manufacturer suggested retail prices (and the prices Larry Fine recommends).

I have read them thousand of time.
According to piano buyer, other rating and reviews, brands' quality and reputation follow is order: Sauter>bechstein>schimmel; price order sauter 220 (MSRP=SMP approx $130000)> schimmel K230( MSRP$112000>SMP$95000)> bechstein B208( MSRP=SMP$84200).
Price order in Europe(lowest price from internet): K230 €71000>Sauter 220 €58000> B208 €40000.
Current lowest price quoted in my location(NZ): Sauter 220 110000NZD> k230 85000NZD> b208 62000NZD.
The difference is huge. And there are some suggestion that Schimmel K230 has better quality than Bechstein230. I only played bechstein and schimmel, I like schimmel'is action and tone more.
I'm really confused...

Relativity between prices is something unique to each country.

When I bought my Grotrian, it was only a little dearer than the equivalent YAMAHA/KAWAI, substantially cheaper than a Shigeru and close to half the price of a Hamburg Steinway. All of which is VERY different from the USA or European pricing.

It probably depends on who is importing - if the dealer is the direct importer, there may not be a middle-man. If the piano has been in stock for a while, the dealer might be keen to sell, or other reasons only known by the dealer.

The pianobuyer is as good as useless outside of Europe when it comes to prices. The reviews and ratings are good but the prices in the US are weird when it comes to European pianos and even weider in NZ it appears..

Exactly is.
So how do I judge or determine the "true value" for a piano.
I can only make a comparison.:(

Why would you want to.
Each piano you mention is well worth the money asked. If you can haggle even some more of it you're only very lucky.

What determines what you should buy is:

A. What your like. (sound and touch)
B. Limited by your budget.

If you get a piano that has more theoretical value but you hate it's sound and touch, it is a bad deal for you.

If you are buying for resale value, buy an old Ferrari, they appreciate, pianos depreciate, rapidly.
However when kept in good condition they do not depreciate fast as an instrument.

The Schimmel Konzert is a magnificent instrument and so is the Sauter Omega. I like the Schimmel over the Sauter and the Bechstein but I am heavily biased. Each three of these are very high quality instruments with almost nothing between them.

It's kind of a problem everywhere.......once again, it could be inflation, or it could be the cost of dealer financing, or it could be the cost of rent, or it could even be one of those dealers just likes to haggle more and give giant discounts.

The sticker price isn't the price that matters.

I guess I'm so concerned for whether I get a good price.
I just realise I should play those two pianos some more times and choose my favourite one.
Thanks all for helping

They're not - it must be a local abnormally. I know for fact that wood veneers are much more expensive - not only for Sauters.

Perhaps the Sauter has been sitting in dealer's floor for very long time? Why not check serial number with factory?

Norbert