What Used Piano Buyers Should Be Aware Of
Fortunately, we have detailed warranty records on the Pianos Yamaha Corporation of America has sold in the United States. We can quickly determine the date the Piano was sold to the Dealer, the date the Dealer sold the Piano, along with the warranty history of the Piano. With this information, along with the experience we have had providing warranty support for several hundred thousand Yamaha pianos in the U.S. during the last 35 years, we can provide information that may assist in reducing the risk of purchasing a Gray Market Yamaha Piano for the potential customer. Yamaha will need the serial number of the Used Piano you are considering to buy.
More and more frequently, however, the Used Pianos customers are asking about Pianos that were not originally sold in the USA. More often than not, it is a well-used older Piano that was brought in from Japan and sold to an unauthorized Yamaha Piano Dealer in the USA. When asked about one of these pianos (a Grey Market Yamaha Piano) Yamaha cannot provide ANY information about the Piano, other than that it was not made for this market.
What is the Main Issue With Used Yamaha Pianos Not Made for the North American Market ?
Yamaha had manufactured Pianos for Japan and the Asian market for over 50 years before exporting pianos to North America and Europe. In the 1960s, Yamaha began exporting pianos to the United States and Canada. Our engineers were unaware of the level of dryness that existed in North American homes.
Consequently, some of the Yamaha Pianos sold in North America during the 1960s developed dryness-related problems. Upon researching these problems, our engineers found that in general, the indoor environments of homes in North America are considerably drier than in Japan. Most of this is related to the outdoor climate and the indoor environment, which is affected by such conditions as air conditioning and heating systems.
This research led Yamaha to the development of computer-controlled drying kilns, as well as other manufacturing procedures, so that Pianos destined for North America would be properly seasoned for the American home.
Most of the Used Yamaha Pianos being brought to North America today are Pianos that were manufactured for the Japanese and Asian market. These instruments are manufactured using the same seasoning techniques that are used on the many Pianos Yamaha had moisture-related problems with. In addition, these Used Yamaha Pianos have lived in a very moist environment since they were new.
Why are These Pianos Brought Over to Sell in the North American U.S. Market ?
There is Not a Market for Used Pianos in Japan. The overabundance of Used Pianos on the market in Japan is because the Japanese Buy New Pianos and Not Used Pianos. With the large number of Piano Manufacturing Plants producing New Pianos that are located in Japan, China and Korea, Used and older Pianos are considered worn out and consumers primarily Buy New Pianos instead. Companies in Japan buy hundreds of Used Pianos, very cheap, from institutions and individuals, then re-sell them in large Lots or Quantities to Companies in the US. Some of the Pianos need repair right away and others need repair pending upon what environment they end up in. Buying a Grey Market Yamaha Piano living in the Desert is NOT Recommended.
So What Does Yamaha Corporation Of America Recommend ?
Will These Pianos Develop Severe Problems After Several years in the U.S.? Unless the Piano is placed in a Very Humid Environment (similar to Japan), the Piano may develop Problems that will be Expensive to correct. We know this because of the numerous calls we receive from customers and Piano technicians reporting Dryness-Related Problems with these Used Pianos brought in from Japan. Yamaha Does Not experience these types of Problems with Pianos that are seasoned for the North American U.S. market.
Parts availability is another Problem facing the purchaser of a Gray Market Yamaha Piano not made for the North America market. Yamaha makes different models of Pianos for various markets around the world. There are many models of Yamaha Pianos that were sold in Japan that were never sold in North America. From a service standpoint, Yamaha Does Not have any information on these models. As a result, part replacement, in most cases, is impossible.
Based on our experience with Pianos not seasoned for the North American market, from a service standpoint, we Strongly Discourage the purchase of one of these Used made for Japan Gray Market Pianos. Run the Used Yamaha Piano Serial Number BEFORE You Buy a Piano. Have it Inspected by a certified technician too.
David Reed
Yamaha Piano Service Manager
Tom Miller
Piano Gallery Owner
RENT A PIANO vs BUY A PIANO
75% OF RENTED PIANOS ARE PURCHASED WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND . . .
ALMOST ALL RENTED PIANOS THAT ARE PURCHASED ARE EVENTUALLY
SOLD OR TRADED IN FOR BETTER PIANOS
Most piano rental companies provide only used pianos in questionable condition or low priced, low quality pianos for rentals. You are required to return the piano or you must buy it at the end of the rental period. Sometimes the piano rental company may give you a rental extension, but Sooner or Later they will insist that you make up your mind to either buy the rented piano or return the piano. This can be annoying and can pressure you to make a decision to buy the piano before you have had a chance to investigate other pianos or to buy the rental piano before you are ready. According to piano rental Financial Institutions, 75% of rented pianos are financed and purchased within six months from the time the piano was first rented. In addition almost ALL rental pianos that are purchased are eventually sold or traded in for larger better pianos.
Piano Rental Companies will apply the first 3 or 6 months of the monthly rental fee towards the purchase of the piano. Most Piano Rental Companies will also charge rental customers the Full Retail Price when the customer agrees to purchase the piano. Even after deducting 3 to 6 months rent off of the Retail Price the rental customer ends up paying MORE for the piano then a person that just buys a piano right from the start. Most New Pianos, if not all new pianos, are sold for a price that's less then Full Retail. The claim that your rental fees are applied toward the purchase price and you can buy the piano for less is really just a myth.
WHY RENT A PIANO . . . KNOWING THERE'S A 75% CHANCE YOU WILL BUY IT
AND ONLY GET 3 to 6 MONTHS RENT APPLIED TOWARD THE RETAIL PRICE ?
ON A PIANO YOU WILL EVENTUALLY SELL OR TRADE IN
WHEN YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU PAID APPLIED TOWARD A NEW PIANO
OF YOUR CHOICE, A PIANO YOU REALLY WANT . . . AND TAKE UP TO 10 YEARS TO DECIDE ?
Start with buying an inexpensive piano with our Ten Year Trade Up Program . . . And you will have Ten Years to Trade Up your piano. The Total Amount you paid for the inexpensive piano will be applied towards the purchase of a New Piano, when you're ready. The Ten Year Trade Up Program is offered on both New and Used pianos. See Piano Gallery for details. We generally have mint to excellent condition used starter pianos for around one thousand dollars and brand new digital pianos for under two thousand dollars. Easy Financing OAC is also available.
