Piano Auction Guide

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BUYING at AUCTION can be a useful way of buying a good, working piano. However, it isn't perhaps as easy as it might seem. Many people find the atmosphere at an Auction intimidating, and worry about either bidding too much for a piano, or indeed buying the wrong instrument altogether.

There are relatively few Auction houses that regularly sell more than a handful of instruments, and only two that have regular Piano auctions.

If you decide to buy at Auction, there are various factors that you need to be aware of :

  1. Most pianos sold at auction need some form of professional attention (cabinetwork; repairs; restoration; tuning etc).
  2. You should arrange for an inspection by an expert of any lot that you wish to bid for. See below.
  3. Once you have decided to bid, set yourself a limit that you are happy with, and do not allow yourself to exceed it. Always walk away rather than get caught up in a `bidding war'.
  4. Remember that there is a buyer's premium (at least 15%) on top of the `hammer price', and VAT is often charged on the premium.
  5. Once you have made your choice, and are a successful bidder, you have entered a binding contract. (Once the Auctioneer's hammer comes down, you are committed to the sale.) "Let the buyer beware”!
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There are two specialist companies who run Piano auctions, and they both run 3 or 4 auctions each, and they are all held in London. Both Auctions are well-organised with good varieties of different classes of both upright and grand pianos. Piano Auctions Ltd currently hold their sales in Holborn, and usually have up to around 120 different pianos for sale, and Bonhams hold their sales in New Bond Street with up to around 70 instruments on offer. We endeavour to be present at most of their auctions.

COURTNEY PIANOS is able to offer a service to either assist you in bidding, or to appraise any piano for you at these sales. For further information on this, please get in touch with us at the contact page.

SELLING AT AUCTION is also a useful method of selling your piano, and is the most effective route if :

  1. You do not have the time (or energy) to devote to selling the instrument privately.
  2. You need to get the piano out of your home in a short time.
  3. You want to expose the instrument to the maximum number of potential buyers.
  4. You are hopeful of gaining a better price than by selling in the private market or to a dealer. N.B. this does not always work out in your favour !
  5. Your instrument is of sufficiently good quality and value to achieve a satisfactory return on sale. (see below).

There are, again, a few factors you need to be aware of if selling via Auction, in that (similar to buying), the `hammer price' (highest bid received from the floor) is binding; if you have previously agreed with the Auctioneer a reserve price, you may be faced with further costs if the reserve price is not reached on the day.

Footnote: It is always prudent to consult the auctioneer before agreeing on a reserve price.

Don't forget to allow for transportation to the auction room, and any commission on the sale price - around 15% + VAT. These costs are subtracted from the proceeds from the sale.

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