Hi Gary:
I once was called to give an estimate of value for a Yamaha baby grand. It was sitting in a building that was vacated, formerly a retirement home. Apparently the piano had been donated. They wanted to know if the piano had any value, and yes indeed it did. Jokingly, as I left, I told my contact that if they needed to be rid of it, I'd be glad to take it. I forgot about it, but several months later I got a call that they wanted it gone. Of course I gladly took it away. Yes, free pianos are out there, and over the years I"ve had realtors call me to ask if I would be interested in a piano that the home owner was unable to sell. Some free, some just a pittance. Yes, it does happen.
Beware the glossy black Yamaha that needs a new home. There's a scam out there that most of us have heard about and discussed recently. The story is the widow/widower needs to get rid of their spouse's piano, you just need to pay for shipping. They have their own moving company, and the website looks legit, but it doesn't exist.
Paul McCloud
San Diego
Gary Howell
I am wondering if anyone finds it worth while to monitor the free section of craigslist for the one-off chance that someone might be giving away a really nice piano? If so, tell us the story. I ask because I occasionally do this and today I found an ad in the free section in which someone was talking about how they want to give their piano a new home, and when I click on the photos, it turns out to be a very nice looking high-gloss black Yamaha grand piano with a disklavier system on it. I contacted the person but have yet to hear back. I've often wondered if I took 5 minutes a day to browse for free pianos if there is ever a chance that someone, someday (perhaps not knowing what they have and having apathy about it anyway) would post a Steinway for free. Perhaps it would be someone who buys a house with a piano already in it. Just wondering if any of you have ever had something like this happen.
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Gary Howell
Buckeye Piano Tuning
Massillon OH
Original Message:
Sent: 5/29/2021 8:13:00 AM
From: Gary Howell
Subject: Free Pianos
I am wondering if anyone finds it worth while to monitor the free section of craigslist for the one-off chance that someone might be giving away a really nice piano? If so, tell us the story. I ask because I occasionally do this and today I found an ad in the free section in which someone was talking about how they want to give their piano a new home, and when I click on the photos, it turns out to be a very nice looking high-gloss black Yamaha grand piano with a disklavier system on it. I contacted the person but have yet to hear back. I've often wondered if I took 5 minutes a day to browse for free pianos if there is ever a chance that someone, someday (perhaps not knowing what they have and having apathy about it anyway) would post a Steinway for free. Perhaps it would be someone who buys a house with a piano already in it. Just wondering if any of you have ever had something like this happen.
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Gary Howell
Buckeye Piano Tuning
Massillon OH
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