Warranty on pianos?

First of all - the following statements do not replace legal advice and do not claim to be correct. In concrete cases, please contact the respective manufacturer / dealer or a legal adviser of your choice. The following statements are only intended to raise awareness of the relevance of this topic in connection with pianos.

For our interested parties and customers, the terms and conditions valid for us are to be found in our general terms and conditions and offer / order documents.

For pianos, the installation and climatic conditions are particularly relevant - for self-playing instruments, the connection, use or operating conditions are also relevant for maintaining value, function and safety (e.g. electrical system).

Since maintaining the value of pianos in general - and of older, valuable and sometimes unique instruments in particular - is such an important issue, you should obtain detailed information about this and observe the respective conditions.

Check conditions before purchase

Whether you are buying a new or used piano, the warranty or guarantee conditions of the respective supplier or the conditions set out in the respective contract always apply. You should inform yourself about these before making a decision to buy or place an order and, if necessary, obtain legally binding information.

Private versus dealer

When purchasing from private individuals, guarantee or warranty or return rights are generally excluded. Dealers as well as craftsmen are subject to legal framework conditions, the implementation of which is reflected in possible individual conditions and can also be different. Again, different conditions apply when purchasing goods or providing renovation or other services.

For new purchases, you can inform yourself in advance on the websites of the respective manufacturers and dealers about the guarantee or warranty conditions. There are some aspects which are similar in almost all documents. For the provision of any guarantee or warranty services, there is in most cases an obligation to provide proof on the part of the customer, i.e. not only the current case must be reported, stating the relevant contract information, but also, at the request of the provider, proof that the requirements have been met and how the current possible damage has been incurred.

Air humidity

In principle, proper use and installation is always assumed. Particularly critical: the room climate. The air humidity at a room temperature of 20° must generally remain constant in the range of 45-65% (different specifications for each supplier). For the mostly used and thus older instruments, the range of 50-65% applies. If the air humidity is below this range, the instrument will not work as precisely. If the air humidity is below 45%, the instrument suffers damage to its substance (cracking, glue detachment, tuning problems, etc.) If the air humidity is above approx. 65%, the materials swell.

Climate differences

Manufacturers who supply worldwide generally use materials that are particularly suitable for local climates - and this under special climatic conditions in the manufacturing plant. Examples of such regional differences: humid climate in Asia, dry climate in North America and changing climate in Europe. In Germany, the main challenge is that we have significant seasonal differences and a rather solid building fabric of houses.

Constant monitoring and control

As a result, we a. need a complete monitoring of the indoor climate and b. have to ensure the indoor climate differently in the seasons, i.e. humidify in winter and dry in summer. In any case, the use of air conditioning, ventilation, patio and conservatory doors etc. must be checked and adjusted, as depending on the habits of the individual, one or the other installation location may not be suitable for the valuable piano.

Documentation

It is therefore not only important to comply with the conditions, but also to document them. As a rule, we deliver a professional testo 174H measuring instrument with every instrument sold, which continuously records the data with high measuring accuracy. Additional substance damage due to air humidity cannot normally occur if the prescribed room climate is maintained. It is important to note, however, that the installation location may not allow these conditions to be met - for example, in a conservatory, in an attic, with underfloor heating, in front of a frequently opened patio or exterior door or a door to a conservatory, in direct sunlight, near a fireplace or stove, on a too-damp exterior wall, etc. As a rule, humidifiers or similar measures do not help to achieve a constant climate. A change of habit (keeping the doors closed) or simply a change of the installation location must also be taken into consideration.

If the conditions for the necessary constant climate are a. not given and b. not constantly documented, you not only endanger the instrument - but also lose the right to a possible warranty. The same applies to any changes made by you or others to the instrument. If you or others have worked on the instrument yourself, any warranty claim will generally be forfeited. In this case, too, you should carefully discuss the procedure with the supplier in advance.

Appraisers and experts

One more word to reviewers. If it happens that you, as the owner of an instrument, need an independent expert's report for the assessment of the instrument or a specific issue, you should find out from the court or the chambers of craftsmen which expert is admitted to the court and enjoys a good reputation in professional circles. The appraiser should be an expert for the type of instrument in question - for example, for old instruments or even for self-playing instruments.

Insurance

Supplementary insurance policies can be taken out with most insurance providers to cover risks or gaps in coverage. With unique instruments, however, financial compensation may not be a perfect solution either, as it is usually not possible to purchase a new unique instrument. It is up to you to decide whether the ratio of risk and rate makes sense for you.

Regarding our offer, please feel free to contact us via the mentioned contact possibilities if you need further information. For legal information and legal advice, please contact a lawyer. 

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