Sell or Donate a Piano to FPC
Tips for Finding Your Old Piano a New Home
UPDATE: We’re not making any cash or consignment offers this Spring. But here’s a breakdown of information you should collect, and how the intake process should go.
Things to Note Before Contacting Us
Not Taking Any Pianos
Unless you’re a customer with a trade-in, we’re not taking in any pianos until 2024. You can email us for our list of referrals though!
Chicagoland Area
We can only take in pianos in the Chicago area, and all our donation referrals and resources are based near here too.
Consignment Only
We don’t make cash offers on any pianos we buy. And to be upfront: you’ll make the most money selling the piano yourself!
Ask Friends & Family First
Double-check that your friends or neighbors aren’t interested in the piano — and that your family won’t be offended if we take it in!
Moving? Consider a Mover
Moving isn’t as expensive as you might think! It doesn’t hurt to get a quote. We want to be sure you consider all your options!
Not Tax Deductible
If you want to donate your piano to us, we can’t offer tax-deductible letters. We can point you elsewhere though!
Step 1: Gather & Send Information
Here’s a form to fill in with a lot of the information we’ll need (we’ll ask for pictures via email). You can also email it to [email protected]. In any case, he’ll usually follow up within 3-7 days.
Brand
Usually found just above the keys. Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai, Kimball, Baldwin, etc.
Model
Usually found under the lid, near the tuning pins. Not every piano has a model name!
Serial Number
Tells us when and where the piano was built. Usually 5-7 digits. Watch this video for help.
Size & Dimensions
To the closest inch. At least include height for uprights and length for grands.
Address & Location
Where in the home is the piano? Any steps or tight turns to get it outside? It’ll affect moving costs!
History
When was it last tuned? How long have you owned it? Any other owners you’re aware of?
Pictures & Videos
3-8 of inside and outside, including the back or underside. Please highlight any damage!
Expectations
Prefer to sell the piano? How much for? Trade-in? Donation? Need to be moved out asap?
How to Get Rid of a Piano: Full Guide
It can be hard to finding your piano a new home. We wrote an in-depth blog post on how to go about it the best way, whether you want to sell it, donate it or junk it.
Not Near Chicago or Milwaukee?
We recommend listing your piano on your local directories, contacting closer dealers, and possibly even trying some of the national piano donation organizations!
Beethoven Foundation • Piano Adoption • Pianos for Education
Step 2: Deal Discussion
If we decide we can take in your piano ourselves, we’ll start talking details. Once we iron out a win-win arrangement over the phone, we’ll put together a donation or consignment agreement.
There isn’t a single “best option” for everyone. Here are some pros and cons for different arrangements:
Terms & Advantages of a Donation
- – Can’t Take Every Piano – Availability depends on our inventory. Typically for lower-valued instruments, especially older used uprights.
- + Moving Costs Covered – We’ll try to grab the piano as soon as convenient. All you’ll need to do is pickup a call to arrange the free pickup.
- + Supports Students & Beginners – Helps keep the cost of our student-level pianos low so that families on any kind of budget can afford them!
Conditions for a Direct Sale
- – Rarely an Option – Unless we have a dire need, we usually can’t offer cash for pianos.
- + Paid Before Pickup – We’ll typically hand over a check or pay you via PayPal before the piano even leaves your house.
Terms & Advantages of Consignment
- Our Typical Arrangement – This is the most popular option for any piano we can make an offer on, especially for grands pianos
- – Get Paid for Piano Later – Can be 3-9+ months before piano is sold and you’re paid — depending on market and consumer tastes
- + Quick & Easy Process – Especially great if you need the piano out of your home fast or don’t want to bother doing a bunch of work.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Selling Yourself
- + Make the Most Money – We’ll make a wholesale offer on your piano. In many cases, you can sell it for higher privately.
- + Tips & Resources – We’ll email you our advice on making an effective and attractive listing.
- – Takes Effort & Money – You’ll need to deal with coordinating movers, technicians and appointments — which can take up a lot of time.
- – Takes Time & Patience – No telling how long it’ll take to sell the piano, if it ever does.
Step 3: Piano Pickup
Once we’re both happy with the agreement, we’ll pay Kevin’s Piano Moving to safely and professionally pick up your piano. It goes from your home to our store at no charge to you!
Kevin's Piano Movers
Kevin’s works out of Antioch IL. They have two trucks, and a well-trained team.
Serving Lake, Cook & Kenosha Counties
Kevin’s travels all over Chicagoland, sometimes beyond. Ask for availability.
Scheduling Process
- Pickup within 3-7 Days – We don’t have control over their calendar, but Kevin will usually call within a week of us faxing over the deal.
- Monday to Friday Only – If you’d prefer a weekend, you’ll have to ask them for any special availability.
- 2-Hour Window, 1-Hour Process – Generally, you’ll get a two-hour window for their arrival — for example, Tuesday morning, from 9 am to 11 am — and they’ll be gone within an hour.
Piano Repair & Refurbishing
Once the Piano Arrives. . .
Once your piano’s delivered to our showroom, we’ll begin refurbishing it. In short, your piano is fixed up by our team of technicians. We then start working on finding your piano a loving new home!
Our full refurbishing checklist is pretty extensive, but we’ll basically make your piano do three things:
Look Its Best
We make sure all pianos are not just clean inside and out, but also looking as good as they can.
Feel Its Best
Our 30-point checklist for regulating the action of each of the piano’s 88 keys get it playing as it should.
Sound Its Best
Our expert techs will tune your piano multiple times while it’s here, ensuring stability for its new owner!