Schimmel Upright 120I (48) Price

After looking at several uprights this past weekend, my daughter decided that she loved the sound of the Schimmel Uprights (120I and 130T). The local dealer we visited was quick to give us a 'massive' discount from the $12,880 list price and quoted $8,600 for the 120I, the 48' upright.

There is absolutely no opinion on this forum about a fair price for Schimmel uprights. Would some of you be able to comment on how much should I look to pay for this piano? COuld you point me to dealers who would have a better price?

Thank you, Nitin

This might help, then again, it might not: http://www.pianomart.com/Schimmel/ schimmelvertpianos.htm

Based on that, I wouldn't deal with that dealer. Obviously he's a slimeball that can't be trusted.

I disagree only on the basis that I have no idea what a fair and reasonable top figure on this model is. If $12,880 is realistic and not just a massively overinflated number I wouldn't call the guy a slimeball just because he decides to advertise a special on it for a few hundred less that what he's been quoting. On the other hand, 4 fingers and a thumb..... (just kidding) if this piano's realistic selling price is in the $9000 neigborhood then I would find another Schimmel dealer to do business with, one who fairly represents the price structure of his products.

Two things - it's not obvious he's a slime ball but it is obvious he wants to sell the Schimmel....'nitinmitta' didn't buy the piano so the dealer advertised it for less.

Second, now that 'nitinmitta' KNOWS he can get the piano for less than the quoted price, the question becomes - How much lower?? Will the dealer grab $7600 to get it out the door or will it sit in the shop at $8500??

An old saying here in Martin County FL (where they tailor your absentee ballot to fit) 'Prices subject to change based on the attitude of the customer'

Seasons G

Very interesting comments about the Schimmel dealer below, thanks. This dealer is in fact, not very trustworthy. On our first visit, he asked us (we were also looking at Yamaha U1): 'What kind of heat do you have in your house.' When we told him his immediate response was: 'Perfect, that is the best kind for a piano.'

On our 2nd and final visit (so far), we told him about having a different heating system and his response was the same. And this is one of a dozen stupid things he said. Everytime I asked him to price a piano, he would open his black folder and quote a price after a story along the lines of: 'The retail is $X, our price is $0.8X, today's sale price is $0.75X, because I like you people the price for you is $0.7X, and because you have such a talented 6-year old the special price for you is 0.65X, and since we need to make room for more inventory ....' You get the picture.

Well, the interesting thing is that they are the largest Schimmel dealer in the country and have a solid reputation. I would love to buy a Yamaha U1 or even U3 (after reading so many positive comments in this group and getting opinions from obviously knowledgebale people like Dave Zappa) but my daughter absolutely loves the sound of the Schimmel!

Oh well... if someone has bought a Schimmel upright in the recent past, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for the comments. Nitin

I am not that knowledgable, and tend to behave like a self-centered baby. Don't listen to me, I have nothing constructive to add.. Except maybe that if your daughter likes a Schimmel it's a good piano and she has to play it - not me. Call the dealer on their bullshit and tell him you have done some research and know the piano should cost approximately 'X' . Find out what kind of deal are they willing to cut, what services will be included in that price, and enough of the black-book, 4 price selling.

Happy Festivus.

I bought an MP1 (a U1 + Silent Piano feature) although I preffered the Schimmel 48'. The reason for choosing the MP1 was its silent piano feature. Schimmel didn't have such model and I needed it.

So, if not because of the need for a silent piano, I definitely would've gone for a Schimmel. Schimmel is made in Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany. It enjoys a decent reputation in Europe.

If you daughter likes it, the only question left to you is how to negotiate a price acceptable to you. If the price is right to you and your daughter likes it, (plus Schimmel's reputation), then, Duh!