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Anyone ever moved a piano across the border before?

My parents are hoping to "hand down" their old piano to us as my young son has decided he wants to stick with his lessons and we need to get him off this electronic keyboard. They live in Vancouver, BC - we're in Seattle WA, so that will mean taking it across the border.

Am I going to get abused by customs when I show up in my rental truck?

It's an older Sherlock Manning console size (~40"), in good cosmetic condition but probably hasn't been tuned in 20 years. Is it worth the $500 to move and tune it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
-Patrick

9 times out of 10, I get abused by customs when going from Canada to the US, and I've never taken a piano with me. Your mileage may vary. If it has ivory keys, make sure you have the correct paperwork. You may also need paperwork to show you have the rights to use the rental truck.




No. In the Seattle area, it will probably cost you over $200 just to get it tuned, plus several hundred in likely repairs. By the time you're all said and done, you'd have a nice down payment on a much newer and better upright piano.

not worth it IMO. even though its a good intention from your parents. better to buy a good piano for your son.

Check with U.S. customs next time you cross border.
They will tell you exactly what's involved.

My own hunch: ain't worth it.

Norbert

A 40" Sherlock Manning may only be worth $500.00 if your lucky. 15 years ago it was worth $1,500.00
These pianos do not sell well in our market anymore.

You could purchase a better instrument in Seattle for $1,000.00 although you will be into this one for $500.00ish
Renting a Uhaul trailer one way may be better if you have a tow vehicle.

Now if you want to keep the piano in the family, the cost means nothing and I will assume it does not have ivory
so the border should not be a problem. Have a letter from your parents stating that they gifted you the piano and a letter from a piano retailer stating the estimated value.
You will literally drive right by me I could give you a letter of value, no charge for that.

Do check with the border for more info.

Great, thanks for the advice guys. We'll do a bit more research on the border, but I'm leaning towards calling the whole thing off.

Rod, you're even close than you know, they're actually located in Ocean Park! I've driven by your location many times...

Yup, that's close.

Probably better to sell locally, buy locally, and move money across the border. It weighs less, and there's not much to inspect about it....

i am thinking about buying an upright from US and ship to Canada as well..if I can manage to get around 20-30% off MRSP on bechstein or A.Forster.

Anyone know the price for piano moving from Newyork (Elizabeth) to Toronto?
It may worth it even with 7% import tax.

Steven:

It may be and maybe 'not' that much of an advantage - I know a number of people who ended up paying even more.

20-30% off list is almost standard these days on every high end piano I know this, perhaps outside Steinway. In fact some dealers like ourselves can and often do even better than that.

When buying in U.S. you will have no warranty on piano in Canada which may not be a big deal. However, it plays into re-sale value - often more than expected.

At same time it's nice to have a warranty - just in case...

And you don't have to end up paying more.

Talk to your local dealers and show them the costs you have come up with, at least they will tell you if you're in the ballpark. [there's often hidden costs...]

Worst that can happen is - they will match!

best wishes,

Norbert

Thanks Nobert. Its great to receive advice from a Canadian dealer.
20-30% off MRSP is defeintly not what I am getting for the Bechstein and A.Forster in Toronto.
I asked "what is the lowest price you can give me", and $21k for both A.Forster 116 and Bechstein Academy A3. Sure I can bargain for more by the time I have the money in few months, offering me a "lowest price" that is higher than MRSP does not make me feel comfortable.

I do not consider resale value once I upgrade to Grand in the future ill give the upright to my mom.

Steven

About 20 years ago, my wife's parents gave us the family player piano. It was bought new by her grandparents in the 1915-18 era. My pal followed us up to their house in Canada and we put it on the back of his pickup truck. When we got to the US border, we just told them what it was all about and they waved us right through. Oh, for the days before 9-11. Much harder now, I feel. Be careful about the ivory keys, too. I doubt if I would do it today.