There has come a time in many people’s lives when the need for a piano is no longer relevant. The specific reasons are many. The most common is that the family member who plays is no longer at the address where the piano resides. Keeping a piano as just a piece of furniture is likened to having a violin or guitar on the wall for décor.
Sometimes, the instrument no longer has the capacity to play its part in musical performances. With the size and weight of the average piano, there arises the question of what to do with an old piano. The alternatives are few and simple, but the choice can be difficult, as many pianos have become part of the home environment. There is some personalization with an item one or more family members use.
There are recommended ways of getting rid of a piano. Realize that each way has its merits and drawbacks. Evaluating which method is right will vary depending on the individual situation. There is no one right answer but five answers that may be right or wrong for any piano.
Method #1
The first method of “making room” is to sell the instrument directly to another person. This is a good economic solution in that a direct buyer will often pay more than any other avenue for disposing of the piano. The best buyer is a family member, friend, or work associate. As long as the relationship is preserved, this is usually advantageous to all. It is also the hardest. Social media methods of selling are to be avoided. This is mostly because of inviting strangers into the home to view the piano.
Method #2
The second method is to sell the instrument to a piano shop or retailer. This is called an “arm’s length” transaction because of the safety involved. Often, the buyer does not need to visit the home to inspect the instrument. Most shops have the capacity to restore a piano to sellable condition. They also have a delivery service that can quickly and efficiently pick up any piano of any size. These benefits do come at a cost. The price will be wholesale to cover business operations.
Method #3
The third method is the consignment option. The owner retains ownership, but the instrument is moved to a store or shop location to show and sell. The consignment price will be higher because the shop does not have to pay for the piano until it is sold. Many piano stores like this option because they do not have much cash invested in the instrument. They only pay the consignment to the owner when it is sold.
Method #4
The fourth method is the most popular for those not looking for immediate cash. Donating a piano to a verified 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, which receives donated pianos to supply schools and universities with free-loaned pianos. The donation qualifies for an IRS tax deduction of the market value of the piano. If the value is under $5000, the IRS does not require you to have it appraised. The IRS has a system for how this works.
Method #5
The fifth method is an option of last resort. There are circumstances where neither of the four above-mentioned methods applies. This is the hard-to-hear method of disposing of the instrument. Some pianos that have little value in the market need to be removed. As hard as this decision may be, it is better than giving a problematic instrument to an unsuspecting bargain hunter.
Even if the piano is in working order, please know that disposing of it makes no difference to the instrument. Focus more on what the piano “has done” than on what it “has done.” Look forward to new opportunities to utilize that new space.