Thanks for sharing your experience—this really resonates with a lot of first-time buyers, myself included.
I agree, the piano market can feel incredibly opaque, especially when compared to other big purchases like electronics or even cars, where pricing is more transparent. The fact that you’re expected to haggle without clear guidance or benchmarks can be overwhelming, particularly if you’re not familiar with the industry or terminology.
A few tips that helped me:
Always check multiple dealers, even across cities if you can—some offer more upfront transparency.
Ask specifically what’s included in the quoted price (delivery, tuning, warranty, bench, etc.).
Don’t be afraid to negotiate, and it helps to come in with competitor quotes in hand.
Buy at the end of the month/quarter/year—some dealers are more willing to discount to hit targets.
It would be great if the industry moved toward more standardized or transparent pricing, especially for entry-level and mid-range models where the buyer is often new to pianos.