Why Craigslist/free pianos aren't actually free.

Craigslist or free pianos are often appealing for a beginning player, or if you don't have a lot of money to spend on a piano. These pianos have often sit for years, and not been properly maintained. Since these pianos have often not been tuned or serviced in many years, they will require a substantial amount of work done to them to make them playable. If a piano has sat for years without being tuned or maintained, the piano usually requires two tunings, regulation, voicing, cabinet work, and cleaning. The maintenance to make this piano playable can easily pass $1,000. Moving the piano starts at $185, One tuning is about $130 (most of these pianos need more than one tuning), Full regulation can cost $600+, Voicing would be around $150, and Reconditioning is $300+. These pianos may seem like an easy way to start playing, but buying a properly maintained used upright is more cost efficient, and will be less of a headache.