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What do you think of my BB ad?
Topic Started: Jul 4 2006, 01:33 PM (877 Views)
kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
2001 Mason and Hamlin BB
7-ft satin ebony semi-concert grand

Larry Fine, author of "The Piano Book" - considered the Bible of piano rating, rates Mason & Hamlin higher in quality than Steinway, although they sell for about the same price.
Steinway makes about 5000 pianos annually, Yamaha about 100,000.
Mason & Hamlin is a 150-year-old American company that limits their production to about 250 pianos annually in Haverhill Massachusetts.
I have personally toured their factory and it is inspiring to see the engineering and art that goes into these instruments.

Five years is the perfect age for a fine piano.
This vintage is about the time when the new raw piano begins to come into its voice, if properly cared for.
I consider this piano to be better than new, with 7 years left on the 12-year transferable warranty.

Original owner, who is a piano fanatic.
Played regularly, but only an average of one hour a day.
Piano has never been in the sun or near heater or air conditioners, which damage pianos.
Has always had a full Dammpchaser humidity control system, expertly installed by Registered Piano Technician.
Always maintained at concert pitch with about 3 tunings a year.

This piano has gotten optimum (and very expensive) after-sale set up, regulation, and voicing from one of the best Registered Piano Technicians in Los Angeles County.
This technician [then I list his name and phone number for reference] is in demand by Steinway and Mason and Hamlin to do preparation for their pianos for the annual trade show, NAMM (North American Music Manufacturers).
He was recommended to me by name by Cecil Rameriz of Mason and Hamlin.

All pianos need and benefit from regular (but expensive) technician attention, yet practically no pianos get it.
Very few piano owners are aware this level of piano performance is possible, and even fewer owners are willing to pay for it.
I am, and I have the receipts to prove it.
But real the proof is in the piano.
You simply must play this piano to believe it.
It has a firm and responsive action.

100% real wool string cover protected strings and action from dust and moisture.
Heavy quilted piano cover protected piano at all times when not being played.

List price is about $65,000.
Sale price $43,000.

[Price seems a tad high to me.
But it's my tech's number.
He knows the piano and the Southern California piano market.]

Oh, I need to sell because I just bought a new 9' 2" German Bluethner concert grand.
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BeeLady
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Middle Aged Carp
Where do you plan on putting the ad?
"My wheel shall sing responsive to my tread,
And I will spin so fine, so strong a thread
Fate shall not cut it, nor Time's forces break"
"Distaff and Spindle: Sonnets by Mary Ashley Townsend" 1895
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
PianoMart, where I sold my Baldwin R 5 years ago.

And doesn't PW have a selling section?

Where else do you recommend?
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Auto Trader. But don't forget to list the EPA mileage estimates... :P
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Uhm, Mik . . .
You have me confused with some girly man.

This is a Ferrari Testarossa of a piano.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
So much material.. so little time.. are you and Jose having a raucous 4th?
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Horace
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HOLY CARP!!!
Effective advertising targets those most likely to be in the market for your item, therefore I recommend posting your ad at all the local check cashing shops.
As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good?
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George K
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Finally
Horace
Jul 4 2006, 05:59 PM
Effective advertising targets those most likely to be in the market for your item, therefore I recommend posting your ad at all the local check cashing shops.

And those payday loan places.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Mikhailoh
Jul 4 2006, 02:47 PM
So much material.. so little time.. are you and Jose having a raucous 4th?

Actually his friend from Guatemala just arrived.
We's having a BBQ.

You know they mix beer and V-8 juice?
No Joke! :woot:
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George K
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Finally
kenny
Jul 4 2006, 06:15 PM
You know they mix beer and V-8 juice?
No Joke!

No, not funny at all, in fact Posted Image
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
Kenny, your ad is too wordy. No one will read it, not even most people who might be in the market for this type piano. You've got too much extraneous detail that has little to do with your specific piano. You have 5 seconds to draw a reader into your ad, else you've lost them.

Hope you don't mind the constructive criticism. I'm trying to help you.

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Thanks Lar
Bernard said the same thing.
I agree.

Actually this is more of a data-dump exercise for me.
Plus I'm sure any venue will limit the word count.

Thanks.
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The 89th Key
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Kenny, perhaps write a two-sentence grabber statement, and then say "see details below". If they are interested, they'll read it.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
kenny
Jul 4 2006, 01:33 PM
2001 Mason and Hamlin BB
7-ft satin ebony semi-concert grand

Larry Fine, the author of "The Piano Book", which is The Bible of piano rating, rates Mason & Hamlin higher in quality than Steinway, even though they sell for about the same price.

Steinway makes about 5000 pianos annually and Yamaha about 100,000.
Mason & Hamlin is a 150-year-old American company that limits their production to about 250 pianos annually in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  I have personally toured their factory and it is inspiring to see the engineering and art that goes into these instruments.

Five years is the perfect age for a fine piano.  That is when a new, raw piano begins to come into its voice.  If properly cared for.
This piano is better than new and has 7 years left on the 12-year transferable warranty.

Offered for sale by the original owner, a certified piano fanatic.  Played regularly, but only an average of one hour a day.  The piano has never been in the sun or near a heater nor has it suffered from air conditioning.

It has always had a full Dammpchaser humidity control system, expertly installed by Registered Piano Technician.  Always maintained at concert pitch with about three tunings a year.

This piano has received optimum (and very expensive) after-sale set up, regulation, and voicing from one of the best Registered Piano Technicians in Los Angeles County.  This technician [then I list his name and phone number for reference] is in demand by Steinway and Mason and Hamlin to do preparation for their pianos for the annual trade show, NAMM (North American Music Manufacturers).  He was recommended to me by name by Cecil Rameriz of Mason and Hamlin.

All pianos need and benefit from the regular (and expensive) attention of a registered technician, yet most pianos never receive this.
Very few piano owners are aware
that this level of piano performance is possible, and even fewer owners are willing to pay for it.

I am, and I have the receipts to prove it.
However the real the proof is in the piano.
You simply must play this piano to believe
the sound and feel.
It has a firm and responsive action.

A 100% real wool string cover has protected the strings and action from dust and moisture.  A heavy quilted piano cover has protected the piano at all times when it was not being played.

List price
for a new Mason & Hamlin BB is about $65,000.
My sale price is $43,000.

I am selling because I have just acquired a 9' 2" concert grand.


My recommended changes are in bold. I agree with 89th. I would have some kind of bold or large print header along the lines of "Exquisite Mason & Hamlin BB" or some such thing. Although the body contains a lot of text, it just reinforces the fact that you are a serious individual and that the piano really is better than a new one. Believe me, there are people out there searching for a piano like this set up and maintained by someone like you and they will pay for it and consider it a great bargain.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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kluurs
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Fulla-Carp
One of the world's finest pianos - maintained by an OCD patient and his equally compulsive technician is available for sale. This piano is in better condition than the pianos most concert-artists get to play...
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
:lol2:
___.___
(_]===*
o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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Radu
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Senior Carp
kenny
Jul 5 2006, 12:33 AM
Larry Fine, author of "The Piano Book" - considered the Bible of piano rating, rates Mason & Hamlin higher in quality than Steinway, although they sell for about the same price.
Steinway makes about 5000 pianos annually, Yamaha about 100,000.
Mason & Hamlin is a 150-year-old American company that limits their production to about 250 pianos annually in Haverhill Massachusetts.
I have personally toured their factory and it is inspiring to see the engineering and art that goes into these instruments.


1.The figures you quote about Steinway include ALL the models (grands and uprights) manufactured in NY and worldwide (the Kawai and the "Essex").

2.The person that would buy a "semi-concert" grand is usualy someone with some knowledge about pianos, not the type who would buy the first piano for "lil' six years old Lucie". Being a "veteran" of rmmp and having excellent teachers (R.Clark, Dave Andrews and the injun) , I wouldn't touch your piano : too much blah blah blah in the advertisment, in the style of the paid "articles" in NYT about Steinway. Too many "explanations" for the idiots.

3.Sorry...I didn't like the ad.
Posted Image
------------------------------------------------------------
"Whenever I hear of culture... I release the safety-catch of my Browning!"
The modern media has made cretins out of so many people that they're not interested in reality any more, unless it's reality TV (Jean D'eaux)
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
There are a lot of idiots out there with $40k+ burning a hole in their pocket.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Radu
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Senior Carp
Kincaid
Jul 5 2006, 10:29 PM
There are a lot of idiots out there with $40k+ burning a hole in their pocket.

They would by Steinway not an "obscure" American M&H
Posted Image
------------------------------------------------------------
"Whenever I hear of culture... I release the safety-catch of my Browning!"
The modern media has made cretins out of so many people that they're not interested in reality any more, unless it's reality TV (Jean D'eaux)
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justme
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HOLY CARP!!!
FWIW, I think the ad is too long, too.

All those things you are putting in the ad should either be said in person or over the phone. A person answering an ad for a M & H BB knows what he/she wants and will call you if the price is good enough. When they call THEN you can express with excitement all the wonderful things you want to about the BB and why it's so wonderful.

JMHO
"Men sway more towards hussies." G-D3
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The 89th Key
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I don't think it's too long. Honestly, if I were in the market, I would be extremely impressed by your ad, and would love to come check it out - if it were in my price range. I think the first thing though is to get their attention - something like "Better than new M&H semi-grand piano..."
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
I betya if I looked hard enough, I could buy a brand new BB for pretty close to what kenny is asking....
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Radu
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Senior Carp
Jolly
Jul 6 2006, 12:10 AM
I betya if I looked hard enough, I could buy a brand new BB for pretty close to what kenny is asking....

But then....

Quote:
 
Five years is the perfect age for a fine piano.
This vintage is about the time when the new raw piano begins to come into its voice, if properly cared for.
I consider this piano to be better than new, with 7 years left on the 12-year transferable warranty.
Posted Image
------------------------------------------------------------
"Whenever I hear of culture... I release the safety-catch of my Browning!"
The modern media has made cretins out of so many people that they're not interested in reality any more, unless it's reality TV (Jean D'eaux)
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
New is new.

Used is used.

And neither the twain shall meet.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
Ok..... marketing 101:

[smug superiority]Most piano salesmen spend their lives selling low to midrange products. Only a few master the special skills needed to sell high end instruments, and *I*........ am the master........ :D [/smug superiority] :D

Selling a high end piano requires a totally different approach from selling the other stuff. All you have to do to sell a Yamawaisamchang River is this:

BIG SALE THIS WEEKEND!! EVERYTHING GOES FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR!! 7' Yamawaisamchang River, regular $49,995 THIS WEEKEND ONLY - $5,999 - BUT HURRY! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED!

Now - the high end buyer doesn't respond to that. The high end buyer, if he/she's a player, will respond to quality. If he's not a player, then he's looking for prestige - and prestige doesn't come cheap. Prestige also doesn't come in large quantity. So - exclusive, don't insult them with any more mention of price than is required for them to get a range. Specifics are for people who *have* to know the price to see if they can afford it - the well heeled don't really want to know the specific price, they want to know they might get a good bargain. Understand the difference?.....

So, to motivate the high end buyer, you must get across the following points: 1. Exclusivity. 2. It's used, but it's coming from a "proper home" (it's been tended to by someone with the financial wherewithall to keep it in pristine condition) 3. They have to see the "bragging points" so they are confident that when they talk about it at their next cocktail party, they can sufficiently impress their guests.

So here's the ad:

If only the best will do:
I must sell my nearly new 7' Semiconcert grand piano. Handcrafted in America in limited numbers, Mason Hamlin pianos are highly prized by expert musicians as one of the world's preeminent musical instruments. Purchased new in 2001, this piano has been meticulously maintained by a top technician, and is just like new. I have purchased a larger model, and must make room. Comparable to pianos selling in the 60K to 80K range, I am willing to sell my piano for far less. Call to arrange an evaluation of this magnificent instrument. A unique opportunity awaits the truly informed pianist.


Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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