Hello, everyone; wonderful forum you've got here, glad to have found it.

Unable as I've been to discover what "dealer cost" is for the Yamaha CVP-403 -- and having already visited the "Prices Paid" thread to check retail prices and striking out on that, as well -- I'm having trouble determining if a price I've been quoted is exceptionally low, average, or perhaps quite high, so my first post is a question to any and all that might feel inclined to weigh in.

Is [U.S.] $4,222.00 (before CA sales tax) a "good deal," or just a "fair price" -- or, perhaps even "not so fair" -- for a brand new, sealed-in-box CVP-403, delivered to and set up in my home by an authorized Yamaha dealer?

Any and all replies are welcome, though time is a bit of an issue, so thanks in advance.

BTW, if anyone does happen to know what dealers pay for these instruments -- i.e., the "wholesale" price -- I'd love to have that info.

From what I can gather, with sales tax, this
would be at more or less the regular price
for this model, with no significant discount.

Thanks, Gyro!

What makes Gyro an expert in quoting a price? Why is it important what the dealer paid, they have to stay in business too! Do you like the piano or not, if so then buy it! I'm a business owner and it drives me crazy when I see these posts! Piano Forum shouldn't have prices up here. Dealers get special prices at different times of the year from the manufacturers, as well as the amount of units sold. Pretty soon the only way you'll be able to buy a piano is from Wal-Mart, which is a company I refuse to do business with. I know this sounds far fetched, but Wal-Mart is looking into getting into the music business. I know I will get people who will feel the exact opposite.

I don't believe Gyro claimed to be an expert, 311Fan, but he was generously sharing knowledge that seems, on the face of it, to be based on experience and research. I find your reply, however, to be not only hyperbolic, but bordering on hostile, as well, and therefore suggest to you that it a) is no way to welcome a new member [that you know nothing about] to these forums (I own my own business, too, FYI), and b) perhaps might have been best shared in a PM to the Admin(s), rather than in a vitriol-filled public post.

Further, I suggest that the next time you're thinking about trying to find any kind of "deal" on a potential purchase, you think back to what you've posted here and then pay whatever amount the retailer demands for that item, no questions asked. At any rate, best of luck to you, and thanks for nothing.

If any other members would like to chime in with any info pertaining to the question I initially asked, I'd still welcome it, and offer my gratitude in advance to all of those kind folk.

Lacking Talent Wrote: but he was generously sharing knowledge that seems, on the face of it, to be based on experience and research.

How can you say that in the one sentence that Gyron wrote? What do you consider "fair"?

I hope you'll excuse me if I decline to engage with you further, 311Fan; I just don't see what good can come of it (for either of us), given that, clearly, you not only have absolutely no intention of offering any constructively helpful information in regard to the question I originally posted, but instead seem intent on provoking me into some kind of dispute. So, thank you again for adding nothing helpful to the thread, and be advised that should you post again in response to this post, I will not answer. Also, if you have a problem of some sort with Gyro (which it seems to me you may), I suggest you take it up with that member directly, and leave me out of it.

In general you will find that CLP & CVP prices will be relatively high in the US. This is due to the fact that only piano stores/music stores are allowed to carry the product by Yamaha and they are bound to minimum (advertised) prices, restrictive dealer agreements, etc.

The store will argue that the instrument needs professional display, home setup, service, etc. which are the arguments they try to extend from the acoustic piano business. However, the fact of the matter is that high(er) margins are needed to support the old-fashioned distribution model of independent music and piano stores that have relatively high overhead costs together with low sales turnover. Inefficient business models require higher margins.

It would be great if Wal*Mart would really decide to (and be allowed to) carry the Yamaha CLP/CVP series of pianos -- especially if that meant that they would only insist on collecting their usual margins rather than those needed by an independent dealer. That could easily reduce the consumer street price of these pianos by 25% without it costing Yamaha the manufacturer a dime.

If you want a better price/quality ratio in your purchase in the US, you may be better off buying a stage piano with components separately and creating your own digital piano setup.