Due to pressing engagements — working out, piano lesson, appointment at Starbuck’s to purchase a latte, cocktails with a friend — I moved my test driving of a possible new car to tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve decided I will never pay more for a car than I did for my piano. Which shouldn’t be too difficult to manage.
My piano was pricey for someone who can’t carry a tune, but I was assured it would be around and sounding great seventy-five years from now. This is more than can be said either for any car I buy or its owner.
The unsuspecting salesman that I meet tomorrow probably has no clue what he’s competing with. It isn’t another make or model. It’s a benchmark about what’s important in my life. After all, a car only gets you from Point A to Point B; but a piano enriches the whole of your life.
Some would say a particular car makes a statement; of course it does. But I say a piano makes a statement too. A car can reek of speed, status, price, luxury and drivability. Unless it’s merely a piece of furniture in one’s home, a piano reeks of the same things, only in terms of music. One can go fast or slow. A grand piano trumps most uprights for status and price. If you want luxury you purchase a Boesendorfer. For the record, I have a Kawai. In a way, it’s the economy version in pianos that the cars I’ve purchased are in the auto world. Yet, it cost more than any car I’ve ever purchased. As for drivability, I guess that depends on the driver. Or pianist.
Suffice to say, I prefer my piano over any car. I only hope the car salesman can get his arms around this notion and work with me as I really don’t need a new car at all. My current one performs well.
Unfortunately for me, the piano salesman I worked with knew he had the upper hand.
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