This is the story of a killer deal.
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Alison who was desperate for a piano that worked. One day she asked her husband, Joel, just how financially irresponsible they would be if they bought one. He replied, "Why don't we check the classifieds?" Alison was a little disappointed, wondering if they could find something good, but she agreed.
That night, Joel opened the classifieds and started showing her pictures of pianos for sale and Alison quickly realized his suggestion had been a good one. Initially, they were interested in an ornate upright for two reasons: 1) They're beautiful!, and 2) The only place a baby grand would fit was in Alison's sewing room, which she wasn't sure she wanted to give up. Joel even asked her, "If we found a baby grand for a good price, would you give up your sewing room?" and she replied adamantly in the negative.
After a few minutes, they began finding baby grand pianos for stellar deals and Alison changed her mind. "Okay, I guess I would give up my room if we found one we really liked." Then, lo and behold!, they found the best deal ever! A baby grand piano for $650! It was close to midnight and they decided to contact the owners about the piano. Because it was close to midnight, though, Alison decided to text them. She figured, if they answered, they answered, but if they didn't, at least she didn't wake them up. Well, they did answer! The "they" was a "she," and she already had someone coming to look at the piano the next day, but she offered to call if the deal didn't go through. Joel and Alison were crazy with nerves!
The next day, Sunday, the lady called Alison and - guess what!! - the other people didn't want the piano!!! (Well, they did, but the wife didn't think her husband would want to mess with moving it. What? Why did they even bother going to look at it? What did she think was going to happen? Odd.) Alison and Joel quickly set up an appointment for the next day - they didn't want to go make a deal on the Sabbath - and danced around the living room. A couple hours later, though, Alison started to feel nervous. "What if she gives it away? What if she finds someone who's willing to go look today and sells it?" So she texted the lady again.
"This is Alison... We're so excited about the piano! and nervous that someone could call tonight, see it before we do, and snag it! :) Are we first in line? Could it stay that way until we've seen it?"
Thankfully, she agreed to hold it for them.
Then Monday came....
and it was love at first sight.
Of course, Joel and Alison tested the piano to make sure it sounded good and played well. But it passed all their tests! They excitedly told the seller they wanted to buy it, and she also was excited. She then told them that she'd had another woman call the day before and try to make her sell it, even offering to pay more than Joel and Alison, but she kindly kept her word and put that lady on a waiting list. Thank goodness!
On the way home from testing the piano, Joel and Alison could hardly keep from singing. They only stopped long enough to call a piano mover and set up a date for a few days later...
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| piano room = emptied |
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| sewing room = moved |
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| THEY'RE HERE! |
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| It's from 1925 and has never been refinished. (The bench is not the original.) |
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| Ain't she a beaut?! |
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| Getting tuned for the first time in 10 years. I didn't know you could take pianos apart like that! |
After purchasing, moving, tuning, and repairing the piano, it cost about $1200. Not too shabby for a baby grand.
P.S. Thank you, Joel!
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"...[B]e grateful. When it's raining pudding, hold up your bowl." - Sandra Dallas, Prayers for Sale
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