Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Looking to buy a Kawai

I am new to the forum - Hello!

I am also new to piano purchasing and not sure what I should expect in terms of price.

I went to a dealer last night and played a few pianos that I really liked. I was looking at the following pianos

new Kawai 508

used Boston 118

used Essex eup-116st

They all sounded great and played nice - just wondering on prices - Are we allowed to discuss pricing on this forum??? i know some forums you are not allowed to discuss dealer prices...

I am not sure if the sticker prices on these are fair or if I should be looking elsewhere.

Thanks in advance!

What were you quoted?

Thanks for the response -


The Kawai 508 - $5000 + tax and $200 delivery. NEW

The Boston - $7400 + tax and $350 delivery

The Essex - $6500 + tax and $350 delivery

Thank in advance!!

jsanfilippo5:
Welcome to pianoworld. Hope you get as much use of this site as me.
Just wondering how old are the Boston and Essex you are considering?


LM////
Kawai owner///

the boston was 2012 the essex was a 2011

Is the boston 118e or 118s ? there is a huge difference

its the 118s

jsanfilippo5,

One of the first things I learned here was to reference Larry Fine's Pricebook and reviews. I am currently shopping for a grand and now consider the pricing as spot on. I find that dealers are usually quick to provide a 20% discount off the SMP quoted by Larry Fine. Actually, up on top of the page, you can plug in whatever discount % you like and it will adjust the price accordigly so you can instantly see what you should be paying. According to the guide, a new 508 (with 20% off smp) should be $4472 before tax and delivery. Have fun! Link is below...

http://www.pianobuyer.com/instructions.php

I dont know where you live but that seems to be a little high. A friend of mine bought his NEW in NY for $7300 + tax, free delivery.

Thank you scrip

I live in NY - Long Island to be exact. I know some things tend to be a little higher here..

I also happen to be one of the worst negotiaters in the world.. I would love to pick up one of these pianos - but I feel like I am at a used car delaershipp dealing with these people... They were trying to force me into leaving a deposit yesterday..

jsan: For less then a grand you can upgrade to the Kawai K2, better action in that one. I think the Boston and Kawai are made in Japan, the Essex in China, if that makes a difference.

Good luck in your search.
PS: take a friend with you to piano store, better if he/she plays
for their thoughts.

LM///

I dindt see the k2 there so - couldnt try it anyway..

Don't let them intimidate you. You worked hard for your money I'm sure. Some sales people are like sharks or wolves, they will sense hesitation or weakenss and close in for the kill.

These days, unless something is a spectacular deal, pianos are not exactly flying off the showroom floors. I have been piano shopping for a couple of weeks now and I can't tell you how many times I was told that unless I left a deposit the piano would probably be gone when I returned. Perhaps, but the odds are in my favor. Every one of the pianos I first looked at are still sitting on the showroom floors. You may have to walk out and see if you get a phone call the next day.

This is an important decision. You may want to consider zeroing in on which one of the 3 you like the best and then concentate on negotiating that deal. What you like is most important. Which one "sings" to you? Zero in on that one. Trying to negotiate 3 different pianos is going to make you crazy. Of course, if you can't get a fair deal then you may have to pursue another course so it's always good to have a plan B.

I am pretty much ready to buy the Kawai - just seems high in price compared to what I read on forums...

I prefered the sound on the boston - but It is a little out of my price range..

I'd say shop around until you fall in love with one, and don't be afraid to ask how much work it has had (bring in a tech to vouch for that). I can remember looking at a Petrof 194 that I would have very much liked to have purchased with a bit of negotiating down. The sales staff was anxious to get it out the door and used the line "it may not be here tomorrow at such an affordable deal as this." Sadly it stayed on the floor until the dealer went out of business.

Since the Boston is made by Kawai you can't go wrong with either. Tone can be altered to some degree.

How can the tone be altered? Just curious