Selling a Piano

[wander_r143]

I want to list a Piano but don't expect to get a fair price unless a prospective buyer has an opportunity to examine and play it before bidding. Is there a way to do this?  I am concerned about Ebay rules designed to prevent sellers and buyers from trying to cut Ebay out of a transaction.  I believe such a rule forbids sharing identities and addresses prior to cloisng a sale on Ebay.

[katzrul15]

Sell it with local pick-up only (am assuming you are not having it freighted somewhere).  It limits "who" might buy it, but I drove 280 miles each way to buy a guitar 2 years ago and was mighty glad I did.  It rounded out a collection and my son loves it.  And I was so grateful he was not shipping it, as they can easily damage in transit.

You never know who might travel to purchase it.  (Unless you live somewhere that is not easily accessed)

[coastaltechsolution]

From what you describe , well maybe eBay is not the best venue for such a sale? 

[soh.maryl]

A piano is one of the things that is not well suited to be sold on eBay.

Even if you find a buyer who's willing to pay the steep price for shipping a piano to his location, are you aware that you will have to pay the return shipping cost if that buyer decides the piano is not as described?

A piano would be better listed locally on Facebook Marketplace or Craig's List.

Also if there is a local piano dealer, you might offer it to him.  

[inhawaii]

I wouldn't sell it on ebay but if you must, i would list it for local pick up only. 

Otherwise, you'll get morons asking you "How much to ship that to Hawaii?"

[alcoforever]

I wouldn't use ebay for such an item.   There are other venues for local pickup type items that have low or no FVF's as well as not restricting buyer-seller communication before the sale.  Like the list of my friend Craig.

[simba6]

An eBay classified ad might be best.   That is just like a newspaper ad, no protection or other rules. The buyer comes and if they want they pay and leave with it.

[policequilts]

I wouldn't sell it on eBay.

If you use facebook marketplace.  One of my client's sold their grand piano 3 weeks ago to someone that was 300 miles away. They came down and tested the grand piano and purchased it. The buyer set up the people to pick up  and delivery the piano.  (and it wasn't cheap.)

[wander_r143]

All your thoughts are very helpful. I had already decided that it would only be for local pickup only. Other than including a ton of pictures in the listing, it is hard to imagine how I could better describe it other than by make, model, finish, and serial number, but I suppose there is still a risk that a buyer could try to argue that the piano was other than described.

As for selling to a piano dealer, right now there is one that wants it but he is trying a bit too much to grind me down on price. If he doesn't go much below his soft original offer, I will let him have it just to avoid hasseling with buyers.

I even had a professional piano technician go through it, but even if it is fine now, it will be out of tune after the movers are through.

I I do list it on Ebay, I will stipulate in the listing that the buyer must inspect the piano before picking it up and if they fail to do so, they will be deemed to have waived any right to claim that it is not as described in the listing.

[luckythewinner]

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@wander_r143 wrote:

I want to list a Piano but don't expect to get a fair price unless a prospective buyer has an opportunity to examine and play it before bidding. Is there a way to do this?  I am concerned about Ebay rules designed to prevent sellers and buyers from trying to cut Ebay out of a transaction.  I believe such a rule forbids sharing identities and addresses prior to cloisng a sale on Ebay.

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IMHO some items are just not a good fit for the eBay venue.