FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Using PianoHub is free of charge.

We want it to be as easy as possible to benefit from the platform. Without unnecessary barriers. That’s why creating a user account is not required to use PianoHub, and it won’t be in the future. In order to offer the core functionality of the platform without requiring registration or exposing your personal data, we run our own server infrastructure. This gives us full control and allows us to continuously adapt PianoHub to your needs. By the way, to offer convenience features such as saving listings to a watchlist (accessible across multiple devices), we do see optional user accounts as useful. At the moment, creating an account is not yet possible.

No, PianoHub is not a sales platform. Our goal is to make it easy for buyers to find the perfect piano or grand piano. Sellers benefit from fast listing creation and high visibility. However, actual sales should only take place after an in-person viewing and trial session, and in line with the expectations of both parties. PianoHub acts as an intermediary between sellers and potential buyers, but is not involved in the final transaction.

We do everything we can to prevent that by not collecting any sensitive data that could be misused. Just like you, scammers could contact other users anonymously through PianoHub (see privacy questions) and attempt to obtain personal data or money. That’s why we recommend carefully reviewing listings and avoiding contact if anything seems suspicious. If you want to report a suspicious listing, feel free to reach out to our support team. Never share personal data via message that you wouldn’t also share through other messaging services or over the phone. And never send money to a seller without first inspecting the piano and being confident the offer is legitimate. If you’re not buying from a professional dealer, we recommend paying on-site upon pickup or delivery (depending on who handles transport).

PianoHub is based in Germany and is currently available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. Buyers and sellers from all supported countries can use the platform fully – free of charge, without registration. The radius search supports postal codes from all available countries, so you can find instruments in your region.

You can update your listing at any time via the edit listing page – no user account required. Enter your listing ID and email address there to receive an edit link. Even easier: scroll to the bottom of the listing detail page and click "Edit listing" – your listing ID will already be pre-filled.

Deleting works the same way as editing: open the edit listing page or click "Edit listing" at the bottom of the listing detail page. Enter your email address to request the edit link, then use the delete option in the editor. This works at any time, without a user account.

On PianoHub, the images uploaded by an instrument’s seller are compressed. This is necessary to reduce operating costs and to keep the platform free of charge. Compressing images lowers both storage and data transfer costs. Use landscape-format photos instead of portrait whenever possible to keep your images looking as sharp as possible in the listing preview.

Published listings remain active for 180 days, giving you and potential buyers sufficient time to complete the sale of your instrument. You will receive a notification email 7 days before the automatic expiration. Once the 180 days have passed, your listing will be automatically deleted. If you sell your instrument earlier or no longer wish to keep the listing online, you can delete it manually at any time.

Absolutely! We welcome your feedback and are happy to receive feature requests. PianoHub is continuously being developed, and we implement reasonable suggestions whenever possible to provide all users with the best possible experience. Simply write to us via the contact form and share your ideas – we review every suggestion and consider it in our development planning.

We protect your personal data by collecting almost none of it. As a private individual, your email address is the only information we require when you either create a listing to sell a piano or contact a seller. We only store your email address as long as necessary for communication. All messages are anonymized and sent via our PianoHub Messenger – and that works without registration. Details below.

We only store your email address for as long as it’s absolutely necessary for your chosen use. If you create a listing to sell a piano without a user account, we store your email with the listing until it is deleted or expires. This allows our messaging service (PianoHub Messenger) to forward messages from interested buyers. If you’re an interested buyer contacting a seller, we store your email only while the listing is online, so replies can be forwarded. In both cases, your address is stored only in our secure infrastructure and never shared with other users. Note: If you contact us via the contact form, your email is stored so we can respond. This type of platform communication is not anonymized.

You don’t need an account to create a listing or send a message – just your email address. Our messaging service, PianoHub Messenger, runs on the PianoHub sonversation a unique anonymous forwarding address. This address acts as the sender and forwards the message to the recipient’s inbox. Replies are also routed through this system. That means you can communicate using your usual email client: no login, no registration, no extra tools. Anonymization is handled fully by the system. If you choose, for scheduling or finalizing a sale, you can share personal contact info (e.g., your phone number) through this secure chanerver and assigns each channel.

No, PianoHub Messenger does not store the content of messages sent to other users on our server. They are only temporarily cached for delivery and then immediately deleted. We have no access to the contents of your messages and cannot restore them. However, the contents will remain available in your own email inbox, as handled by your provider. One last note: If you send a message to us via the contact form, we store the message content along with your email in order to respond and offer proper support.

The partner program is currently completely free of charge – no hidden fees, no automatic introduction of charges. There are no sign-up fees, no monthly costs, and no commission on sales. If this changes in the future, we will inform you in advance and give you the opportunity to cancel your partner status.

You must be a professional dealer for pianos, grand pianos, or digital pianos and operate a physical store where customers can view instruments on-site, try them out, and receive consultation. Partner status is exclusively for specialist dealers with a physical store, not for private individuals or online-only retailers.

The application process is simple and quick. You'll find all details about the process and required information on our partner program page.

Yes, you can terminate your partner status at any time without notice period. Cancellation is done by simply contacting our support. After cancellation, your partner listings will be deleted or converted to regular listings if you wish.

As a partner, you have two options: (1) Edit your listings directly in the browser via the partner dashboard. You can create, modify, delete listings and upload images. (2) Use CSV import/export. Export your listings as a CSV file, edit them locally in Excel or LibreOffice, and import the file again to apply all changes at once. Both methods allow central management of any number of listings.

Partners can upload up to 30 images per listing, while regular users are limited to 6 images. This allows you to present your instruments much more comprehensively and give interested buyers a complete impression of the condition and details of the instrument.

Yes, feature requests are always welcome! We continuously develop PianoHub and implement feature requests whenever possible to provide you and all users with the best possible experience. Simply contact our support team and describe your request - we carefully review all inquiries and consider them in our development planning.

In a grand piano, the action is horizontal: hammers strike the strings from below and fall back by gravity. This allows faster key repetition. In an upright piano, the action is vertical and the strings run perpendicular. Grand pianos are therefore better suited for demanding playing and concerts; uprights are more space-efficient for home use.

For a regularly played instrument, tuning once or twice a year is recommended. Large temperature fluctuations or moving the instrument may require additional tuning. Newly installed instruments should be tuned more frequently in the first two years, as the strings are still settling.

Prices vary considerably depending on type, brand, age, and condition. Used entry-level uprights typically range from €300 to €1,500, mid-range instruments (e.g. Yamaha U1, Kawai K-300) from €1,500 to €5,000. New pianos from well-known manufacturers start at around €3,000 and can exceed €100,000 for concert grands from Steinway or Bösendorfer. Used grand pianos start at around €3,000 depending on brand and size. Used digital pianos are available from around €100; new instruments of good quality range from €500 to €2,500.

A hybrid piano combines a real acoustic hammer action with digital sound production. Unlike a standard digital piano, the playing feel closely resembles an acoustic instrument due to the real mechanism. However, the sound is produced via speakers or headphones rather than vibrating strings. This makes hybrid pianos attractive for players who value the touch of an acoustic piano but do not want regular tuning.

A high-quality acoustic piano can be played for 50 to over 100 years with regular maintenance and tuning. Longevity depends on build quality, storage conditions (temperature, humidity), and intensity of use. The action and hammers can be refurbished after many years. Digital pianos have a shorter lifespan; after 10 to 20 years, electronics and key feel can deteriorate.

A digital piano has 88 weighted keys and a hammer-like action. It replicates the playing properties of an acoustic piano and focuses on authentic piano sounds. A keyboard typically has 49 to 76 keys, is unweighted or lightly weighted, and offers many different sounds and rhythm functions. For classical piano training, a digital piano is the more appropriate choice.

You can list your piano for free and without registration on PianoHub. Creating a listing takes just a few minutes: upload photos, enter the brand and condition, set a price – done. Interested buyers get in touch via the anonymised messenger without ever seeing your email address. Alternatively, you can offer your instrument to a piano dealer (faster, but lower sale price) or list it on general classifieds platforms (large reach, but many unqualified enquiries).

Listing on PianoHub is completely free – no hidden fees, no commission on sale, and no registration required. You can upload up to 6 photos per listing.

The time to sell depends on price, brand and regional demand. Well-priced instruments from popular brands such as Yamaha or Kawai often find a buyer within one to four weeks. Rarer or more expensive instruments typically take two to four months. Listings remain active for 180 days. A complete listing with good photos and a realistic price sells significantly faster.

The value of a used piano depends on brand, model, age, condition, and current market prices. As a rough guide: entry-level piano in good condition €300 - €1,500; mid-range (e.g. Yamaha U1, Kawai K-200) €2,000 - €5,000; premium brands (Steinway, Bechstein, Blüthner) considerably higher. Browse current listings on PianoHub for a realistic picture. For high-value instruments, a professional appraisal by a piano technician is worthwhile.

Yes, a fresh tuning is recommended. A well-tuned piano makes a significantly better impression at viewings and demonstrates that the instrument has been properly maintained. Professional tuning costs approximately €80 - €150 and is money well spent, as it typically more than offsets the cost through a higher selling price.

On PianoHub your email address remains completely anonymous. Messages are relayed via a secure relay service (PianoHub Messenger) – buyers never see your real email address. You decide which personal details to share during a conversation. Regarding phone number and address: only share these once a concrete viewing appointment has been arranged and you are satisfied the buyer is genuine.

Yes, PianoHub is currently available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. Creating listings is free everywhere and does not require registration. When creating a listing, simply enter the postal code and country of the instrument’s location.

The typical mistakes that delay a successful sale: (1) Too few or poor-quality photos – dark, blurry images immediately put off potential buyers. (2) Incomplete information about brand, model, year of manufacture or condition. (3) A price well above market value – compare similar listings on PianoHub beforehand. (4) Lack of honesty about defects – openly communicated flaws can be factored into the price and build trust with buyers.

Key checks when buying a used piano: (1) Are all keys playable with no sticking? (2) Does the instrument sound even across all registers? (3) Are there scratches, cracks, or water stains on the case? (4) Do all three pedals work? (5) When was it last tuned? (6) Does the serial number match the stated year of manufacture? For high-value instruments or if you are unsure, consider bringing a piano technician for an independent assessment.

In addition to the purchase price, you should budget for: transportation (a piano weighs 150–500 kg, professional piano movers charge approximately €150–500 depending on distance and effort), an initial tuning after the move (€80–150), and optionally a technical assessment by a piano technician (€50–120) if you are unsure about quality. With dealers, transport is often included; for private purchases, you arrange this directly with the seller.

On PianoHub you can use the radius search: enter your postcode and set the desired search radius. This shows you all available instruments in your region. Results can be filtered further by brand, price, type, and condition.

Both options have advantages: from a dealer you typically receive a serviced, tuned instrument with a warranty and professional advice – but you pay a premium. Buying privately is cheaper but requires more of your own research and caution. On PianoHub you will find both: private sellers without commissions and verified dealers with partner profiles.

Via the contact form on the listing page you can send the seller a message directly – without registering. Your message is relayed via the anonymised relay service PianoHub Messenger. The seller replies anonymously too. This keeps communication secure and discreet for both parties until you mutually decide to share further contact details.

To assess the credibility of a listing, the following indicators can be helpful: a complete description including brand, model, year of manufacture, condition, and any defects; multiple high-quality photos from different angles; a realistic price compared to similar listings; prompt and factual responses to inquiries; and a willingness to allow an in-person inspection. For verified PianoHub partner dealers (listings with a verification badge), you additionally have the assurance of a vetted professional business.

The most important rule: never transfer money before inspecting the instrument in person. Further safeguards: (1) Always decline remote purchases with shipping and advance payment. (2) Arrange viewings at a safe location – ideally where the instrument is kept. (3) Check whether the price and description are realistic – unusually cheap offers are often a warning sign. (4) Use the anonymised PianoHub Messenger for initial communication and only share personal details when arranging a concrete viewing. You can always report suspicious listings to our support team.

General classifieds platforms are built for everything, PianoHub is designed exclusively for pianos and grand pianos. Buyers can filter specifically by brand, type, region, and condition, which makes finding the right instrument much easier. Sellers reach an audience that is actively looking for an instrument. On top of that, PianoHub is also used by verified piano dealers and piano technicians – giving buyers more choice and adding credibility to the platform.

PianoHub is the only one of the three platforms where you can list completely free of charge and without registration. Pianova allows a maximum of 3 free listings with just 1 photo. Klaviano does not offer free listings for private sellers. On PianoHub you can upload up to 6 photos, your email address is protected, and there is no personal tracking by third-party providers such as Google Analytics.

PianoHub originates from Germany and is currently available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. The radius search supports postal codes from all available countries.

General classifieds portals have broad reach, but significant disadvantages for the piano market: searchers cannot filter specifically by piano type, brand, condition or price range – piano listings get lost in the mass. On PianoHub, only people actively searching for a piano or grand piano are present, with differentiated filter options for instrument type, manufacturer, price and radius. This leads to more qualified enquiries and less wasted time.

PianoHub is a listings platform, not a sales platform – we do not process payments. This is a deliberate decision: pianos should always be viewed and played before purchase. As a buyer, our recommendation is: never transfer money before personally inspecting the instrument. Prefer to pay in cash upon collection or by bank transfer only after a successful in-person viewing.

Listings remain active for 180 days. Shortly before they expire, you will receive a reminder email. If you have already sold your piano, you can delete the listing at any time using the management link provided via email.

PianoHub is run by Futura Eleven, a small German software studio. We have a passion for pianos, and that drives us in developing PianoHub. We place great importance on data privacy and the intuitive usability of the platform. All legally relevant information can be found in our legal notice and privacy policy.

There is currently no native app. However, the PianoHub website is fully responsive and optimised for use on smartphones and tablets. You can easily create listings, browse and get in touch with sellers from your phone – no app installation needed.