- The piano's appearance: Even if the instrument sounds good and plays well, appearance plays a strong part in your ability to sell, particularly if you have a piano from a lesser-known brand. Assess the exterior for scratches, discoloration and damage, and consider getting it refurnished before selling.
- The piano's brand: Buyers browsing for a used piano have a higher likelihood of purchasing a model from Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway & Sons, Baldwin or another well-known brand than one that's less familiar to the public. You also have a stronger chance of selling your instrument at a higher price if it comes from one of these brands.
- Is it an antique or is it just old?:Handmade pianos built decades ago were crafted for years of use. As such, homeowners may own an instrument that's been passed down from generation to generation, and may be at least a century old. However, instruments don't always get better with age, and particularly the action and other internal parts may need some work. If your piano can be considered an antique but doesn't play especially well, consider having it fully restored before selling the instrument.
- Get it ready to sell: If your piano looks good from the exterior and plays well, you should get it ready to be sold. Have the piano tuned, and especially if it hasn't been played in a few years, get it thoroughly cleaned.
- Work with a dealer: If you're looking to sell, you may get advice about putting your piano up on an online marketplace - where it will then sit for months, if not a year, without much of a response, even when you go through the effort of refurbishing the instrument. Instead, dealers like Alamo Music Center know how to advertise used pianos and often are able to get a higher price and sell the instrument faster than if you attempt to do it all yourself.
