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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to sell DM's wedding present to us?

16 replies

Pukkapik · 29/10/2013 11:58

20 years ago my DPs gave us a piano as a wedding present. Much appreciated at the time. However, my DH hasn't a musical bone in his body, my four DC don't show any interest, and although I played as a child, I don't now. The piano just sits there gathering dust.
I am tempted to sell it and make use of the space it takes up. I suspect my DPs would be offended and horrified. They also have very strong hoarding tendencies and rarely throw out anything (my DM in her 70s even has her own schoolbooks). I have become much more mercenary or practical over the years and do throw out things, though sometimes with guilt and difficulty, given my upbringing.
Do you think passing on the piano would be a step too far?
My DPs live some distance away and only visit once or twice a year.

OP posts:
MrsCliveStanden · 29/10/2013 12:02

Oh I would sell it, let them know in advance so they don't get a surprise when they next visit and see something else where the piano used to be perhaps.

GandalfsPointyHat · 29/10/2013 12:02

It could get woodworm...

Pukkapik · 29/10/2013 12:02

Excellent gandalf!

OP posts:
LookingThroughTheFog · 29/10/2013 12:04

God no! Someone who really wants or needs a piano will get one at a reasonable price, and it will stop being wasted in your house. If DM asks, just say that you heard of a family who really needed it more, and it seemed selfish to keep it really (and don't bother saying that you heard about said family when they answered your advertisement for a piano for sale).

Pootles2010 · 29/10/2013 12:04

Or you could know a terribly poor and worthy family with a child who is desperate to learn but couldn't possibly afford a piano and would they mind terribly? Grin

LookingThroughTheFog · 29/10/2013 12:04

Sorry, my 'God no' referred to 'God, no not unreasonable to sell it on after 20 years...'

bundaberg · 29/10/2013 12:04

either make the children take piano lessons, or sell it. i reckon.

no point keeping it if it doesn't get used.

Pootles2010 · 29/10/2013 12:05

Xposts Looking...

gobbynorthernbird · 29/10/2013 12:10

Sell it! Just be aware that (depending on make) it might not be worth a great deal. We got our last one for free, and there are often ads for free/exceptionally cheap pianos where we are.

cupcake78 · 29/10/2013 12:11

Sell it! Its a shame to see a piano sat in a room when it could be enjoyed by others.

specialsubject · 29/10/2013 12:16

after 20 years? Go for it. But I second that they are usually worth nothing.

LemonBreeland · 29/10/2013 12:18

Absolutely sell it, and if you need to tell a little white lie to keep it from upsetting your DPs, then so be it.

KB02 · 29/10/2013 12:24

Agree that it could be worth very little but well worth passing on so someone can enjoy it. My Mum sold ours for £70 and friend gave one away through freecycle. I also know of two people that smashed theirs up and took to the tip Angry Sad

Boardingblues · 29/10/2013 12:32

Can't you say to your DM " I have a problem, we are short of space and I think I need to sell the piano, would you mind/"

BloominNora · 29/10/2013 12:49

I gave our piano away - it depends on what sort it is and it's age.

If it's one of the mass produced 1930's pianos then you may as well freecycle it.

If it is an older, better make or more modern one, you may get something for it. There are websites where you can put the serial number in a find out if it is worth anything.

Pukkapik · 29/10/2013 12:50

Thank you everyone. So pleased no one so far thinks I am 'sentimentally obliged'. It's not the money for it, but rather the space. Also, part of me looks at it and feels guilty about it sitting there and the unfulfilled expectations my DP probably have of it be 'used' and 'enjoyed'.

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