(no subject)

[arethinn]

Does anyone have an idea how we might manage to get rid of a piano we no longer want without having to pay for its removal and disposal? We have an antique (ca. turn of the 20th century) upright piano and haven't been having luck selling the thing on Craigslist or with signs posted by the music department, possibly because it's not in the greatest condition. We had never put a high price tag on it, but honestly at this point we'd be willing to give it away for free if only someone would come and take it away. (I suppose I haven't tried Freecycle, but argh, to me that's a pain to deal with and basically last resort.) I wonder if I just haven't found the right audience for this kind of thing (it might be a nice project if one were into restoring old pianos, for instance). Any tips?

Comments

recycle, free

[(Anonymous)]

Craigslist. Easy. Also, charities like Goodwill will haul away things, however, they are not very convenient with scheduling, if they even have access to a truck. Another option is to Google web for something like 800-Junk-removal*, or use http://www.similarsites.com/. A music school may want it, or a local high school music department, college music department--or staff, parents. Ditto that for art schools in vicinity. You could also post on Etsy.com as supplies. Also look up www.freecycle.org, and meetup.com for other options. I recall seeing Yahoo groups for freecycle options, recycle options. Sure Google groups probably also has same.

***

Junk Removal | Hauling 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Trash Waste Garbage ...
www.1800gotjunk.com/1-800-GOT-JUNK

Re: recycle, free

[arethinn]

Who is this? (this is why I screen anonymous comments ... sign a name or tell me where you came from!)

Craigslist. Easy. ... A music school may want it, or a local high school music department, college music department--

Apparently you didn't read very carefully. I said I had already tried those and failed.

post on Etsy.com as supplies.

... weird idea. I would rather not deal with the commission and of course there's the fact that I can't possibly ship the thing, and could only sell to someone local... I would think I would be getting false hits from people who didn't understand that fact.

Also look up www.freecycle.org

And I said that for me this would only be a last resort because it was a pain to deal with.

Re: recycle, free

[all_adream]

Maybe try again in the music department with an explicit FREE TO A GOOD HOME, or ask if some church people know of anyone who might want it? Sometimes there's an active musical community associated with churches--or grammar schools or high schools, people who maybe know students without much money who might love to get a fixer-upper if it isn't too completely wrecked. Sometimes charities that run shops have people who will come and get stuff, even if imperfect--good luck with it. Music shops in your area might know folks into it too.

[baphnedia]

I can ask the folks I live with... we don't have a piano yet!

[arethinn]

Um, but are you local to me? You would have to come pick it up yourself. Transport is the main problem here.

[popelaksmi]

If you don't mind dealing with them, churches. I know my local Unitarian Universalist church is always on the look out for all kinds of free thigns because they work with several poverty groups. Seems likely this would bethe case in your area as well.

P.S. I don't recall seeing your journal title and sub-title before and all I can say is "Squeee!" and "Plugh!"

[arethinn]

A hollow voice says, "Fool."

[elven-ranger.livejournal.com]

possibly contact local community theatre groups?

[arethinn]

I don't think they'd want to pay for refurbishment :-/

[feedle.livejournal.com]

Have you called all the local music dealers?

I put the word out I was trying to sell a Yamaha spinet, and while none of the piano dealers in Portland were interested in it eventually the word got around. Put up a Craigslist post and give the URL to any music store or piano dealer you can find. They might not be interested, but they might know someone who is.

[arethinn]

I doubt they would want it, given its age and condition. And I feel funny saying "hey, could you guys advertise this for me for free? Yeah thanks!"

I should check in person and see if any of them have a place to pin up a flyer though.

[feedle.livejournal.com]

You aren't asking them to advertise it. I think you're missing the point of what you're going after.

A lot of piano dealers and music merchants don't necessarily deal in old pianos, but KNOW PEOPLE WHO DO. Asking them "hey, if you know of anybody who deals in old pianos that might be interested, could you pass my contact info along" is different than "let me take your business away from you."

In my case, that's what happened: a local piano dealer eventually got me in touch with a private local foundation that buys pianos for distribution to non-profits and schools.

EDIT: also check with piano tuners and repairmen. They might even be interested in it for parts.

[arethinn]

A lot of piano dealers and music merchants don't necessarily deal in old pianos, but KNOW PEOPLE WHO DO. Asking them "hey, if you know of anybody who deals in old pianos that might be interested, could you pass my contact info along" is different than "let me take your business away from you."

Sure sounds to me like advertising - I'm asking them to do legwork. I mean, I can go there and ask, and if they know someone off the top of their heads, great; but asking them to make the contact (rather than the onus being on me) sounds very strange.

eta: I wonder if the misunderstanding is that you are picturing them knowing a single personal friend or acquaintance, and I was picturing me asking them to be responsible to somehow recognize random such people coming into the shop and saying "hey, have this URL".

[feedle.livejournal.com]

That is exactly the misunderstanding. It's called "networking", and it's how the business world works.

Piano dealers, especially, work in pretty closed tight-knit circles. They might be randomly be talking to a piano mechanic friend who happens to mention he knows somebody who's looking for an old piano to "fix-up", and the dealer might be able to say "as a matter of fact, there was this [guy|girl] in my shop just the other day..."

There's never a harm in handing somebody a business card and saying "well, if you run across anyone who might be interested."

[dionysusdevotee.livejournal.com]

Post an ad on CL with "free Piano" title. Take picture; Piano with a circ. saw sitting on it. Threaten life of piano in ad. Failing that, use circ. saw on piano. Thats my best guess. Or perhaps an ad; "Lonely piano seeks Trebuchet"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxCEkGk6HI

Damn, now I want to build one and take the piano....

[arethinn]

Craigslist already failed, as mentioned.

I don't want the thing destroyed (although I suppose if someone like the Mythbusters asked...).