I recently agreed to sell a Steinway Duo-Art Grand (6'11") on
consignment (25%) at a local Steinway dealership.  A number of problems
have arisen in the process of moving it there (they hired the movers).

I would like to get a few objective opinions prior to taking any
further action.  I would also like to get an appraisal of the
instrument (including the bench and 250 rolls) by an uninterested
outside party.  If you are qualified to do such appraisals please
contact me ASAP with your locale and fees.  I have detailed photos
and all the pertinent info if you cannot get to the location in person.
Contact me also if you are an interested buyer.

First, I asked for an agreement in writing prior to the move and was
told that they couldn't properly evaluate it until it was on the
premises since the player needs some work.  When asked for something
more in writing I was told to "trust" them since they had a 20+ year
reputation to uphold.  I was moving at the time and could not take it
with me, otherwise I would never have let it out the door without more
detailed documentation (I did get a bill of lading).

Second, when I went down to see how things were going (a few weeks
after the move) I discovered that the case had been damaged in the
front near the keyboard and that the bench was missing.

Third, I have spoken with both the dealer and the mover about it and
neither has answers (so far).  I spoke with them last Thursday and they
said they would check on it.  It has been nearly a week and I have not
heard from either one.

Is this the way Steinway typically does business?  Am I out-of-line
to ask for something in writing immediately?

This is what I'm inclined to do :

 - 1) get an outside appraisal
 - 2) get an estimate of the cost to repair the damage
 - 3) get an estimate of the value of the missing bench,
     _and_ if I don't get any concrete answers soon
 - 4) contact a lawyer regarding the lack of a written agreement,
      liability and insurance issues.

Am I jumping the gun, needlessly worried or wasting time in getting
it off the premises?

Maria Roe

 [ To my knowledge Steinway & Sons owns no retail piano stores,
 [ therefore it's simply a local store who has your piano.  I think
 [ of that smug panther in the Disney movie whenever I hear "Trust me,"
 [ and those aren't the right words for this situation!  Your instru-
 [ ment is worth several thousand dollars but you have only a verbal
 [ contract with someone (a part-time salesman?) at the store.  
 [ I think that you should engage a lawyer immediately.   -- Robbie