Do you have an old piano you need to get rid of? While beloved, these instruments get old like everything else. When they do, it can be a real hassle getting them out of wherever they are.
Whether you want to consign your piano or donate it, there are quite a few things to keep in mind because not everyone’s piano is fit for donation.
Below, we’ll help you figure out where (and how) to donate your piano if it’s in decent condition. Read on!
What’s Your Piano’s Condition?
Before you contact anyone about removing your piano, you first have to determine its condition. Old pianos are often missing parts, out of tune, worn down, or even broken.
You should try to find out what needs to get fixed and whether anyone can actually play it in its current condition. Sometimes, pianos are in such bad shape that no one wants them.
Check all the major parts of the piano for wear and tear. Are all the strings aligned under the lid? Is it missing any keys? How are the legs? How does it sound?
Take photos of everything that seems wrong, so whoever you donate it to knows what they’re taking.
Do You Want To Consign Your Piano?
Your piano might be worth quite a bit of money, depending on its type and condition. If yours is in decent shape, you may want to consider consigning it.
Consignment is when a piano store sells your piano on your behalf. The business takes a hefty cut, but you might get a good chunk of change for a piano that you initially thought was a lost cause.
While there are a couple of decent online piano consignment services, you should try contacting your local piano stores first. In general, local arrangements are way less of a hassle than dealing with online services.
However, if your piano isn’t in good condition, a store most likely won’t take it off your hands. They’d have no reason to, especially if it will cost more to fix than they think they can make.
Where Can You Donate Your Piano?
Donating your piano to charity is a noble thing to do, but it can be difficult figuring out the right way to do it on your own. Below are some ideas of where and how you can donate your piano.
Think Local
If you already know how you can get the piano out of your house, consider donating it to somewhere local, like maybe a school or a retirement center. There are plenty of places close by that might want or even need a used piano that only you have to give.
If your piano is in decent condition, quite a few organizations might have local chapters that will handle removing the piano at no cost to you.
However, local organizations might not have the funds to take a piano that needs fixing, so they may only want your piano if it’s in playable condition, thus our first tip above.
You can also list it on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for free with the condition that whoever takes it has to cover delivery expenses.
The Beethoven Foundation
The Beethoven Foundation is the most popular organization for piano donation in the United States. They accept donations from every state, including Hawaii and Alaska.
However, the Beethoven Foundation only takes pianos in good to perfect condition. If your piano has missing or broken parts, they most probably won’t be interested in it.
Once your piano has been accepted for donation, this organization will pick it up for free at a time that’s convenient for you. Additionally, you’ll receive a receipt valid for a significant tax deduction.
Pianos For Education
Pianos for Education is another organization that serves the entire United States. The organization will also pick up your piano for free, regardless of where you’re located.
Also, their trained reps will help you figure out if your piano is in good enough condition for donation, something other organizations don’t usually help with.
Like the Beethoven Foundation, all piano donations to Pianos for Education are tax-deductible, meaning you’ll get a decent write-off at the end of this tax season.
Goodwill
While getting a piano to Goodwill might be a hassle, the nonprofit doesn’t have any rules forbidding piano donation. However, check with your local Goodwill first before showing up with your piano.
They might refuse to take it, which is well within their right, and you’ll be stuck with a piano and nowhere to go. But fret not, there are still other options.
What If No One Wants Your Piano?
If your piano is in rough shape and no organization wants to take it, you might wonder what you should do next. Here are your options:
Piano removal services typically cost around $200 to $400. This includes all the equipment and labor necessary for removal, plus a place to junk the piano.
As a last resort, you can use these types of contact piano removal specialists or even standard junk removal companies to get rid of your piano for you.
You could also break down the piano and junk it yourself, but just be careful of the internal parts that could hurt you in the process. Keep in mind you may need to take it outside to fully break it apart, which would involve hiring equipment.
In the end, however, it makes the most financial sense to try to donate or sell your piano first before resorting to junking companies.
Conclusion
As you can tell, donating a piano can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s not impossible. If the instrument is in good condition, though, you shouldn’t have a problem donating it to organizations like the ones mentioned above.
While you might just want to junk the piano to get it over with, remember that it is probably worth so much more to someone else. Try donating it before anything else. You might end up getting a hefty tax write-off in the process!
