Update to my earlier e-mail:
Hi, Terry --
I've been trading e-mails back and forth all day with Gabe Zarnoti,
the owner of Hecsan. He says there are no retail outlets for the
Hecsan anywhere. He says the vendor selling on eBay for 59 pounds or
$99.00 is not selling the Hecsan and is in Hong Kong. Zarnoti uses
another eBay dealer to sell for him, but the only guy with pianos up
for auction at the moment is Mr. Hong Kong.
He is planning to release a 61 key roll-up piano, but said he doesn't
have an estimated date for that. If you want a 61-key then you could
order from
YAMANO. But I looked at one web site for it and it's $279.00.
Zarnoti says pound for pound, his 49-key model is a better buy.
So. . .based on all my research and talking to this guy, here's what
I've learned.
1. You can Order from Hecsan directly. http://www.hecsaninc.com $149.00
Or via Sky Mall at http://skymall.com/webapp/skystore?process=prodSrch&action=
2. Order from eBay for 59 pounds (the Hong Kong guy indicates that
there are shipments in London, even though he's in Hong Kong). But it
won't be a Hecsan. And he adds a lot for shipping and handling.
3. Order a 49 or 61 key model from Yamano. There are dealers online
or you can order direct from Japan on their website.
4. And you can order one from Suzuki as well. Their website photo
looks similar to the eBay guy's piano. They have an Introductory
offer of $129.00, but then they add a lot for shipping, so it comes
out to about $149 anyway.
In the end, give or take a few dollars, everybody seems to be selling
roll-up pianos for about $149.00, once you factor in shipping.
Finally, here's an interesting article on Gabe Zarnoti/Hecsan.
It's been fun to have him as a pen-pal today.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA120804.1E.rollup_piano.cf2129bf.html |