Piano Man Superstore

I think the owner has integrity, which I admire, and I regret if he does end up closed. I sympathize with the difficulty of selling high-​dollar ticket items like pianos to people who (a) know they can find one cheaper that’s used (b) rarely really know what they’re looking for and at. The difficulty I had when I went there is I was told I was practicing (?) because I was doing a finger exercise on several different areas of several different pianos. Yes… to check action, regulation timbre, repetition, etc. To see which would work me and work with me. I played bits of two different pieces (Bach /​Rach) because they are stylistically demanding of completely different aspects of the instrument. I was accosted, effectively, by a sales woman and made to feel I should not be trying out the instrument, which happened to be about the least expensive one they had, a small Kawai upright. A good instrument if you’re looking for good value and clarity of tone in a manageable size and weight and volume for an apartment or small room. I would go back and buy it, but… she made me feel like I should spend my money elsewhere. Shame for the owner… I made an express trip there because I understand he’s selling expensive things and needs people like me — old-​school kids who practiced until tolerable and then played games outdoors, instead of watching television of making loops on laptops. Us buyers are fewer and farther between, and his sales staff should be able to discern someone with money to spend and the ability to play… indicates probable sale! If you go… buy something cheap and cheerful, and don’t expect much in terms of niceness or courtesy. Don’t plan on a real test drive either… If you are a musician… well… YMMV.

My husband purchased his first grand piano from the Piano Liquidation Center. We worked with Kip, one of the managers of the store. My husband quickly identified the grand piano, and began the process of purchasing throughout which Kip was very attentive and helpful. Kip always seemed to be by his phone, and promptly returned calls and emails.
Once the purchase was made, Kip seemed to drop off the face of the earth. He wouldn’t return calls or emails. We coordinated delivery and tuning via other employees. It was obviously the typical attentive salesman issue (once they have your money, they don’t care anymore), and our experience went from a 5 star to a 3 star because of this.
Prices were very competitive though, and there is a very wide collection of pianos from which to choose.