How to Avoid Piano Scams
Our latest blog, “How to Avoid Piano Scams” is, we feel, well-timed.
There’s a particularly horrible rip-off doing the rounds right now, and we’d like to bring it to your urgent attention.
Also, we’re keen to offer some advice to help you steer clear of the would-be cheaters out there. They’re committed to relieving you of your hard-earned cash. But, when it comes to offering an actual, real piano – well, not so much. Or, actually – at all.
We’ll keep our opinions tightly reined in on this one, but it’s not hard to guess how we feel about this type of scam.
Moving on, then.
Too Good to Be True? In a Word: Yes
Who loves the warm, rich tone of a piano? That’s right: almost all of us, not least Brighton Piano Warehouse’s customers, who come to us for our knowledge, experience and expertise. And, there lies the rub:
Expertise.
We know pianos. Our business has been trading since the early 1970s, and without too much trumpet-blowing (mixing our instrument metaphors here), we’ll help you make your best-informed choice of a piano within your budget.
So, if an email landed in your inbox with the offer of excellent, premium-level instrument FOR FREE, how would that make you feel? Excited, emotional, completely and utterly thrilled?
Apologies, but it’s a scam. The people behind all this are heartless yet clever. They know how to press the right buttons if your budget is tight. Here’s what happens:
The Piano Scam
You receive an email. Or perhaps you see an ad on Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree It looks legitimate.
It claims that the family or friends of someone who has allegedly passed away or perhaps gone into care is keen to pass on their piano to a “good home”.
Is This You?
The object of their generosity may be a school, a charity, a nursing home, a community centre, or perhaps any organisation that could benefit from a piano but may be short of funds. Even other piano companies.
And, the most impressive part? The generously donated piano is a Steinway Grand, a Baby Grand, or a high-quality Yamaha; not a second-hand upright, for example, or something more ordinary. These are, of course, luxury, sought-after instruments way beyond “normal” expectations.
There may even be a photograph of said piano
Wow, indeed.
But look a bit closer. On inspection, you may notice that the standard of written English isn’t quite up to scratch. It’s a bit clunky, perhaps. And the image looks rather generic. But it still looks pretty much OK. In our experience, if we want to believe something is true, it simply becomes so. And most people are trustworthy, aren’t they?
Sadly, the answer is no.
Here’s the Important Bit
When you respond, they will email you back. You may even exchange a few emails.
The piano? It’s still completely free – of course.
But. It’s in storage right now.
And, you will need to pay quite a lot of money – up to £600, say – as a contribution towards delivery. The company transporting your gifted instrument is the best-known removals firm in the UK. Yes, that one. Simply put in your bank details, press send, and payment will go straight through.
To repeat:
This is a scam. You will have paid a high price in more ways than one. Nothing will arrive.
You have not paid for delivery, and you have not sent any money to said removals business. Why? Because there is no piano. You have, unfortunately, been conned and the thieves (because that’s what they are) are £600 richer than they were just a few minutes ago.
How to Avoid Piano Scams – Important Things to Know
It’s almost plausible.
The thing is, kind people sometimes DO leave pianos and other instruments to schools and charities; these organisations may have been important to them or played a significant role in their lives.
Nevertheless, with our scammer friends, the alleged pianos being offered are often extremely expensive – and that’s what you should notice. On reflection, it’s almost inconceivable that a bereaved family would donate such a high-ticket item to a total stranger free of charge. Nothing adds up.
So, Here are Our Top Tips:
It’s worth repeating: no one gives away precious pianos. It simply does not happen.
- Where is the piano actually being stored? If the logistics are all a bit sketchy, this is a red flag. If you can’t see it in situ, touch it, or even play it, please stay a long way away from what is likely a rip-off.
Do not send any money to anyone unless you know what you’re buying exists. Generally, never give money to a business or an individual you’ve not checked out yet. It may be authentic, but it’s best not to risk it.
- What about the model number, serial number, age, size, and finish colour? Perhaps, if you get that far, asking for these details and for a few more customised photos will send the scammer into a bit of a spin.
- Beware duplication. Potential piano con artists aren’t particularly creative. If you’re getting the same email multiple times, and from different addresses, this is a spammy scam.
- Again, to re-iterate: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Don’t feel bad if you’ve already fallen for this deceit. This is unpleasant, clever manipulation, and even a couple of professional musicians we know have nearly been duped.
And then there are:
Private Sellers on Facebook
In our opinion, some of the pianos for sale on Facebook Marketplace do not work.
What we mean is, where once they were someone’s pride and joy they are now unplayable and should be recycled. (We offer an excellent recycling service.)
Brighton Piano Warehouse is concerned that this may be happening. A piano is not just any old piano — even as a “starter” instrument for a young child. Imagine their crushing disappointment.
If you’re considering buying from FB Marketplace, do ask the following:
- Where has the instrument been stored?
- How has it been maintained?
- Has it been tuned regularly and how does it play?
- Can you see the piano to try it before you buy?
Again, something exceptionally low-cost or even free is, in our view, best avoided.
This article, “How to avoid piano scams” is just one of a series of what we hope will be useful, value-added blogs that will be coming your way over the coming months. Let us know if you’d like us to focus on any particular issues relating to pianos. We’re happy to help.
Get in touch with Brighton Piano Warehouse, brightonpianos@outlook.com
