Seller Advisory Service

Welcome to the PianoBuyer.com Seller Advisory Service.

I'm Steve Cohen, piano valuation and marketing specialist. I have owned Jason’s Music Center, in Pasadena, Maryland, for over 35 years, and have been involved in its operation for more than 50 years. It was founded by my grandfather in 1937. Nearly every day, I receive at least three or four phone calls from people who are selling their pianos, and I regularly assist them in determining the value of these instruments, and advise them on how best to market them. Now I’m bringing this expertise to a national audience through PianoBuyer.com.

 

Depending on the information you provide and your stated needs, here’s what I can do for you when you purchase the Seller Advisory Service:

  • Determine your piano’s year of manufacture.
  • Estimate the piano’s value, or a reasonable range of values, including: the fair market value when selling to a private party, how much a piano dealer would likely pay you for your piano, the cost of a comparable new piano for “replacement-value” insurance claims, and, if applicable, the salvage value of an instrument in need of complete restoration.
  • Advise you on the best ways to sell the piano, or how to donate it if that option is appropriate.
  • Assist you in finding a piano technician in your area whom you can hire to perform an onsite inspection and appraisal of the piano, if you decide that would be in your best interest.

The cost of this service is US$49.95, payable by credit card or PayPal. In most cases, turnaround time is less than 72 hours. The service is available only in the U.S. and Canada.

After I receive your payment, I will send you a link to a web page containing a series of simple questions about your piano — its make, model, age, condition, etc. — and the kind of information or advice you are seeking. (It’s okay if you can’t answer every question.) At the end of the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to upload one or more photos of the piano (optional but useful), and to provide any additional information you think will be helpful. If I feel I cannot help you because your piano is very unusual or the information you provide is too limited, I will let you know and your payment will be fully refunded.

Finally, please note that I am not in a position to buy your piano. Like most piano dealers, I have more than enough used pianos on hand that have been traded in for new ones. In addition, it would be a conflict of interest for me to accept payment from you to place a value on your piano and also offer to buy it from you. However, the information I provide should help you find a suitable buyer or new home for your instrument.

 

I look forward to serving you.

Steve Cohen

 

[Editor’s Note: Steve Cohen is Contributing Editor and Piano Industry Consultant to Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer and PianoBuyer.com. You can read more about him on Linkedin.]

 

Steve Cohen is Contributing Editor and Piano Industry Consultant to Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer and PianoBuyer.com.

You can read more about him on Linkedin.

 

 

NOTE: It’s important to understand the limitations of this service. The most accurate appraisal of a piano requires an onsite inspection of the instrument by a piano technician. Any other valuation service, such as this one, can be only an estimate based on the limited information the piano owner provides. In addition, you will probably need to hire a technician or other specialist if your piano has special historical value of interest to collectors or museums, or has a unique art case. Appraisals performed for tax purposes (such as for estates or tax-deductible donations) also generally have more stringent requirements; read this article for more information.