Policy and Procedure | Modern Piano Moving

MODERN PIANO MOVING POLICY

BASIC INFORMATION

YOUR RIGHTS: As required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move is readily available on our website. If you have trouble viewing this document, please contact a Sales Representative.

RATES: All rates quoted are based on moving a typical piano from a typical residence with walk out access located within 20 miles of a major interstate to another such location using two movers. The rate is an estimate based on the information provided by you at the time of booking. Additional charges will apply to situations that require additional services or manpower.

SCHEDULING: For us to maintain reasonable rates and quality service, we must combine your move with other moves. This requires constant change and updating to our schedule. We will attempt to give you a 48-hour notice when dates are scheduled or changed. On the day of the move, we give a four-hour window. If you need to be elsewhere during this time, please provide us with a contact number so that the driver can call 30 minutes prior. We strive to have pianos/organs picked up within 30-60 days after booking and delivered 30-60 days after they are picked up. However, weather, mechanical issues or other circumstances beyond our control sometimes prevent us from meeting these goals. Therefore, we cannot guarantee specific dates and times. You are welcome to call the office at any time for an update. The price quoted is based on open dates/times for pickup and delivery. If you have special requirements, please notify us and we will do our best to meet them. An additional charge may apply. If someone is not available for delivery, we will store your piano until our next trip (fee dependent upon piano size – starting at $100 monthly), provided we know before loading or setting a delivery date. If we attempt delivery and no one is available, a charge of $250 might apply to cover the additional handling/mileage required. Also, a $100 charge might be applied if the customer cancels a move after it has already been scheduled for a trip and is confirmed.

PICK UP/DELIVERY: We may ask you to be prepared to offer directions using distances, exit names/numbers, street names, and/or unique landmarks. Alert the driver to low underpasses, restricted routes, low trees, sharp turns, etc. If your location is difficult, it may be necessary to meet the driver at an easy location so the driver may follow you. Please provide a minimum 3’ wide clear path free from snow, ice, mud, etc. for the safety of your piano and our drivers. Again, in our effort to maintain reasonable pricing, we use trucks (some up to 70 ft long) capable of holding many pianos. In certain circumstances, we might have to decide to use a smaller shuttle vehicle that might not necessarily have climate control. Please notify us if a situation exists so we can be prepared. Shuttle charges are $200. While we are occasionally considered miracle workers, sometimes a piano is larger than the hallway, stairs, or passage it must pass through in order to be moved out of or into its desired location. Providing measurements or pictures is helpful but does not always guarantee success. While most obstacles can be overcome, there may be additional costs or risks involved. Always have a Plan B available if it is too close to call.

If you would like your piano in an area that is difficult to access, we recommend contacting your local piano mover. Local piano movers can provide more people on a schedule that will fit your needs. Costs for steps, turns, and additional labor through Modern Piano, are generally comparable to a local mover providing an in-house move.

PAYMENT: The Company must have payment info on file before a pick-up is scheduled. Payment may be in the form of a cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (MC, Visa, DISC, or AMEX). Payment via credit card is due upon pick-up of the piano. WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS OR CASH. Note: Any customer change of payment method after the initial booking process may incur a 5% processing fee.

VALUATION (OUR LIABILITY): We will be responsible for any damage to the piano up to the limit set forth by you, prior to the pickup of your piano. As we do not have technicians assess the internal workings of your instrument, we cannot be liable for anything which is internal (including action, harp, or soundboard), electronic (including players and humidity control devices), mechanical, extremely fragile (glass), or beyond our reasonable control such as pad marks or an inherent vice like adhesion failure. Adhesion failure can occur on older pianos as the glue deteriorates, often on trim, lyres and/or legs. We only cover pianos and organs. If you have a humidifier on your piano, it must be emptied at least 3 days prior to pick-up.

Modern Piano Moving does not inventory the backs of upright pianos or the bottoms of grand pianos as this bracing is typically not visible and serves a structural function rather than a cosmetic one. Pianos may be secured using these unfinished areas. Any unfinished area of a piano is not covered by valuation.

Some settling may occur during a long-distance move causing keys or pedals to stick. After a recommended acclimation time (approximately 30 days), a regularly scheduled tuning should correct these issues.

It may be necessary to disconnect electronics (player systems and humidity control) to safely move the instrument and protect the electronic device. If the delivery mover does not feel he can reconnect the system properly, Modern Piano will not be held responsible as we are not qualified technicians.

PACKAGED BY OWNER (PBO): Pianos moving with pads, equipment, dollies, etc. that are not provided by Modern Piano Moving are considered ‘Packaged by Owner’ and will not be covered by valuation unless there has been visible negligence or mishandling by Modern Piano Moving upon arrival.

CLAIMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF DELIVERY. PLEASE FORWARD PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO: CLAIMS@MODERNPIANO.COM

INVENTORY: We will do an inventory at pickup detailing any pre-existing damage which appears to be present. This might be done through photos and/or on paper. Old scratches, dings, etc. may not be labeled. The pick-up contact will sign the inventory (if provided) and release the piano to us for shipping. Upon comparison, the driver will present a driver’s report to be signed indicating the piano has been received in like condition. Any discrepancies must be noted in the driver report, prior to signing, for a damage claim to be considered.

DELIVERIES THAT STAY DISASSEMBLED, UNWRAPPED, AND/OR ON PIANO MOVING EQUIPMENT: Upon delivery, the driver’s report must be signed, releasing Modern Piano Moving from liability as Modern Piano will have no way to determine future handling and conditions.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS: We may take a limited number of additional items, related to the instrument, with the piano/organ and bench. Space is very limited, and the cost of items must be quoted in advance. We will not know if there is room on the truck until we arrive. Thus, we do not guarantee any additional item in advance. Charges for extra items are additional and based on actual size or weight. All items must be properly pre-packaged. Items that require special handling may cost more. Items cannot be glass or other highly fragile materials. We do not cover additional items with valuation. *A piano bench is included in your piano move and additional benches are an additional fee.

TUNING: Tuners and technicians will tell you the climate change between the pickup location and the delivery location is what causes most or all the tuning change. It is suggested you wait at least 30 days before having your piano tuned to allow it to become acclimated and settle.

GRATUITIES: We are often asked about gratuity. Excellent service is customarily acknowledged by gratuity. Average tip is typically $20-$40 per mover. However, tipping is not required.

PHOTOS: We may use a photo of a customer’s move in our online Gallery or other social media posts. If you choose to opt out, please contact us and we will not use your photo.