Buying accordion overseas sight unseen advisable?

[Frank Barocco]

I have purchased several instruments from overseas (accordion and others) ir from within the country but shipped by plane, and never had any trouble with any of them, besides an occasional delay or having to pay import taxes. They all arrived in one piece and in a a super carefully protected package.

However each time I was nervous and uncertain - it is always a risk. I would blame no one if there was damage upon arrival. (Well, in my head I would and I would curse them in my head, but not to their face.)

 

[Dingo40]

Just a word about packaging material .
I grew up in the days before bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts.
We used scrunched up newspaper for wrapping/protecting everything, from photographic equipment to expensive glassware and china.
Moved houses several times, never lost a cup or a glass! Sent photographic cameras by "Australia Post " across the continent and back wrapped in old newspapers, not an issue!
I'd still use it!

 

[noelekal]

Friends don't let friends buy accordions sight unseen (sight unplayed).

 

[colinm]

Yes, its ok for you , but not for your friends.

 

[Bloviator]

I've done it three times without problems.

 

[KiwiSqueezer]

Well, if you live in a funny little country, with a tiny population, and a long way from civilization (does Australia count?), in which accordions are few and far between, and accordion sellers are ignorant and greedy privateers, or dishonest sharks, and there's only one 'proper' dealer of new instruments, buying unseen and offshore becomes an unwelcome necessity - although I haven't been brave enough to try it yet!

Would anyone like to recommend a tried-and-tested source of Bayans or other 5-row CBAs (other than the Titano, etc. dealer in Auckland)?

 

[Tom]

Well, if you live in a funny little country, with a tiny population, and a long way from civilization (does Australia count?), in which accordions are few and far between, and accordion sellers are ignorant and greedy privateers, or dishonest sharks, and there's only one 'proper' dealer of new instruments, buying unseen and offshore becomes an unwelcome necessity - although I haven't been brave enough to try it yet!

Would anyone like to recommend a tried-and-tested source of Bayans or other 5-row CBAs (other than the Titano, etc. dealer in Auckland)?

Piatanesi. Just sayin’ No damage in shipping for me, suitably packed, etc. Buy direct. Be happy. Make beautiful music. Not sayin’ they are “the best” but are a possibility that I would recommend. If I were to buy a new CBA that’s where I would go. But it’s not likely .

 

[Xiane]

Well, if you live in a funny little country, with a tiny population, and a long way from civilization (does Australia count?), in which accordions are few and far between, and accordion sellers are ignorant and greedy privateers, or dishonest sharks, and there's only one 'proper' dealer of new instruments, buying unseen and offshore becomes an unwelcome necessity - although I haven't been brave enough to try it yet!

Would anyone like to recommend a tried-and-tested source of Bayans or other 5-row CBAs (other than the Titano, etc. dealer in Auckland)?

Maybe the best thing you could do is convince a friend who is overseas to pick one up for you before their trip back to NZ? I had a friend who'd compensate people somehow to pick up electric guitars for him in Los Angeles before they flew the leg down to Auckland, etc.

The guitars would be paid for, prepared as luggage, sometimes even picked up all ready to go in what I remember being told was a weird and hard to find spot at LAX. That may be all different now, I don't know. It still worked out a ton cheaper than shipping, at least back then.

A small diatonic accordion/melodeon could be carry on luggage.

 

[losthobos]

I've bought from ONeils and sent accordions to him...three deals in total ...no problem anytime ..I packed as meticulously as he did...
Only problem I've ever had was from Switzerland where no packing inside accordion case so bounced about and reed blocks out ...easy fix...UPS came...saw lack of packing inside box and walked away saying no insurance claim possible due to ineptitude of packer...
Just saying

 

[JerryPH]

There are 2 issues here really...
1 - packaging
2 - comfort with the seller

#1 is realtively easy, if they pack it well, it will arrive safe. If they pack it badly, very bad things will happen.

#2 is the hard one but only if the person you are buying from is learned and experienced and a reliable seller. Of learned, they will know how to pack and if reliable will not misrepresent the instrument.

Who you buy from is more important than whether they pack well or not... find a reputable dealer that ships world wide regularly and has a good reputation and avoid the nightmare that could be an accordion that you don't like and arrives in pieces.

 

[Dingo40]

so I'm curious if experienced folks here think is advisable to have pricy instruments like this shipped over seas from UK > USA (

Would you do so with a new motor car?

 

[Dingo40]

All stolen from my home late in February along with other instruments in a burglary

Been burgled twice.
The first burglar didn't even look in the cases.
The second, looked inside one only and left it opened on the floor.

 

[tcabot]

if they pack it well, it will arrive safe

Until the UK border force decide to open the parcel to inspect it, don't pack it back into the box correctly and the accordion arrived with one of the reedblocks smashed by good old Parcelforce...

 

[JerryPH]

Until the UK border force decide to open the parcel to inspect it, don't pack it back into the box correctly and the accordion arrived with one of the reedblocks smashed by good old Parcelforce...

Have the sender take pictures or videos of the process before it's sent? I agree there is NOTHING better than getting it in person and placing it in the seat beside you on the return flight, but I wonder how many beginner accordionists are ready to do that?

 

[utterances]

Would you do so with a new motor car?

Honestly I might, if I care about cars as much, and if the car is made only a few times a year and rare, and it’s the size of an accordion

moot point though, i ended up finding a used castagnari CBA on eBay and drove 5 hrs to pick it up in person. Appreciating seeing all the discussions here still.

@JerryPH they had videos and I also were considering getting cheap flight there at some point lol.

 

[JerryPH]

@JerryPH they had videos and I also were considering getting cheap flight there at some point lol.

That whole thing was an AMAZING adventure for me, but I would never recommend someone follow my lead... LOL