Why You Can't Buy Pianos Online - Here's the Truth

livingpianos.c...
I'm Robert Estrin, and today we have an intriguing question: Why can't you buy a piano online? You might think it's odd coming from me, given that Living Pianos was the world's first online piano store, started in 2006. However, for the most part, you really can't buy a piano online. Let me explain in this video.

[@ShaneyElderberry]

At the same time, anyone in North America can order fragile, fine $80,000 double basses, cellos, and bassoons from Europe without a dealer and without any issues. It seems absurd from a buyer’s perspective, since those instruments are arguably much more susceptible to damage from changes in humidity, heat, and rough transportation. More insane are the regional prohibitions on sheet music publishers. I tried to order a Bartók Urtext edition from Henle, but the local copyright prevented it. Had to order a run-of-the-mill Boosey & Hawkes edition from the UK instead. It would take a very wordy essay from a philosopher to explain how fine sheet music follows the same business model of the regional piano dealers.

[@kittyfruitloop8264]

That's a fascinating topic, I never thought of piano sales other than it takes a lot to move them. Bc I was learning piano, I was satisfied with my auction house/antique store console &0s Baldwin piano that I bought in 2016, (wonderful sound quality considering it's size.). Then, I moved on to the organ. So for a couple of years l searched far and wide for a home organ. What I learned was there are a ton of free organs out there, people or churches trying to offload them, etc .. However!!!!! Most are 70s-80s junk or older with vacuum tubes instead of amazing computer technology as of late. I knew after a couple years of searching, for an organ, any qualifying organ must meet the following criteria:: it has to be in excellent condition, a somewhat recent model with midi capabilities and have a full pedal board... Anyway , I was surprised one Christmas to learn a close family friend of my in-laws was gifting me their brand new in 2013 Viscount. He had health problems and was retiring... I am amazed at how realistic the sound is, and the variety of stops available and the memory bank capabilities! That was a Christmas to remember! . The wait was definitely worth it!

[@bradgriffith8297]

The concept of protected territories makes sense considering the cost of stocking inventory and the cost of having retail stores.

[@PVZBlover]

This topic was near tarnishing the 18 year business of Living Pianos

[@PVZBlover]

Yamaha Pianos in the Philippines we're distributed by Yupangco music based in Makati City Philippines and they sell Yamaha Pianos in the Philippines

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

There is also Lyric that sells both Kawai, and Yamaha🎹🎶

[@paulbennett274]

Here in the UK 'Protected Territories' and 'Fixed Pricing' cartels have been seen as anti-competitive and actually illegal for decades with fixed pricing (known as retail price maintenance) for all but book sales abolished in 1964!

[@Aliquot1914]

I purchased my Bluthner aliquot model 6 at an antiques dealer in Florida and shipped to New Mexico

[@michellebrouellette]

Why not have MAP pricing rather than protected territories?

[@BudinVegas]

Appreciate these info videos. Thank You.

[@Quince828]

Protected territories makes sense for piano sales. In the end it benefits both the dealer and the consumer. We have seen what has happened as the new car market has moved from protecting sales to wide open non competition. One conglomerate owner controls several brands thus forcing the consumer to deal with them only instead of having individual owners compete for one’s business. The era of market share is gone.