I have had a few cases of unfortunate piano buys in the last few weeks so I wanted to address this distressing topic. Firstly I would like to say outright that it is strongly recommended that you have a potential piano assessed by a qualified piano technician. I charge $35 for such a service if the piano is within city limits. This is on the low side but I would really rather a family or person buying a piano use my inexpensive piano surveying skills then not, due to the prohibitive cost. The other side of it is that a customer has already bought a piano and then books me for a piano tuning. I arrive and find the piano a complete disaster, unplayable in most respects OR simply untuneable. It is therefore my task to inform the piano buyer of the wretched news and everyone has a gloomy day. (Including me. It’s certainly not my favourite role to be the messenger for a condemned piano.)

Here is the cost break down on someone who has NOT called for a qualified piano technicians professional opinion on a piano.

$250 for the piano. (Buying inexpensive, thinking one is getting a DEAL.)

$200 For the piano mover.

$35 for me to tell the owner that the piano needs a thousand dollars in work and that it really isn’t worth doing.

$200 for movers to take piano to the dump

$50 to deposit the piano in a local landfill.

Total: $735 AND you don’t have a piano. depressing.

This would be the price break down of someone who had me (or any other qualified technician) come out and assess the piano.

$35 assessment fee. Joshua, “Piano’s in rough shape. Don’t buy it”

$35 2nd assessment fee. Joshua, “This one’s actually worse than the last.”

$35 3rd assessment fee. Joshua, “We have a winner. Excellent piano. Should last you 5 to 10 years.”

Piano cost $500. The good ones sometimes cost more. But still an excellent deal.

$200 Moving cost.

and $85 + PST to have it tuned.

Total: $890. Still under a $1000 and you have something that should give you years of playability and enjoyment.

Conclusion: Save everyone the long faces and heartache, ask for the professional opinion of a qualified piano technician when buying a used piano.