Pianotech Australia recommends that ALL potential eBay piano buyers have an inspection carried out by a recommended  Piano Technician  before you bid. (very much like an automotive report)
It is our experience that Musicians and Music teachers are often asked to help with a piano purchase and although well meant / generous, this can often lead to costly and ill informed decisions.
Please remember that the eBay Piano Buying Guide (the one written by themselves) at no time says what experience, qualifications or credibility they have in recommending what they say. In fact if you read the disclaimer it says it all!
They don't stand behind anything they say.
So we're a little upset that ebay initially requested this expertise via the guide program and it was FREELY given by the us and community. They then  developed their own internal guides which over time has put the genuine professional help pages down the bottom of the guide lists.
This puts the buyer in a very compromised and yet again ill informed situation.

If you have difficulty finding a technician in your area please email us for complimentary advice.

Be prepared to pay from $75 for an appraisal or inspection, dependent on where the instrument is located.
Written appraisals will normally cost you more.
This is your guarantee that you are buying an instrument that suits your purposes.
For sellers, an inspection report should be of high priority and included with your sale.Your prospective buyer can then buy with confidence.
Don't forget professional transportation, steps can be over $2 each!
All pianos should be tuned and checked after being moved. Allow a few weeks for the instrument to "settle". On average, every 6 months is the recommended period between tunings dependent upon usage and internal condition (pin block, bridges, etc).
More questions?
Email:  Pianotech_Australia@yahoo.com

Thank you ....."the pianotech team"

Finally, some important q's to ask:
1. Has the piano been tuned and serviced regularly or recently?
2. Overdamper or Underdamper? Overstrung or Straight Strung?
3. Is the pitch at A440 / International Concert Pitch?
4. Is it a Repetition or Lever Action (grands)
5. Are there any cracks in the soundboard, bridges, tuning plank?
6. Is it a Full Iron frame? How tall/ long is the piano? (determines speaking string length and contributes to general tone)
7. Do all the notes play properly? Do the pedals work?
8. Are the keytops Ivory, Ivorine(celluloid) or Plastic.
9. What is the serial # (determines correct age)
10. General aesthetics, french polish, varnish, lacquer or polyurethane? Scratches and Marks? Veneer over solid timber or timber substitute?. What type of veneer? Colour or stain?  Solid brass fittings or brass plate?
Castors or glides?
11. Is there a Piano Stool included (preferably the correct height)
12. The name (and sometimes the importer) under the fallboard or on the back of the frame (inside) may determine poor or inferior quality. e.g. Yamaha made in Indonesia, Beale made in China.

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Pianotech

(updated 3.9.09)