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Use the Piano Technicians Guild website (http://www.ptg.org/4DCGI/Directory/RPT/Person.html) to locate a technician in your area. If you're planning on buying an acoustic piano, you'll need a good technician to maintain your piano over the years. You'll also want them to go with you when you find a piano you're about to buy, to help you check it out for flaws or potential problems. Most technicians will be happy to do so, knowing that they are building a relationship with a potential long-term customer. If you're looking for a used piano, you may try asking your piano technician if they know of any for sale. They may have recommendations and probably know first-hand whether the piano is of high enough quality. Talk to music teachers, performers, and piano technicians to ask for their favorite brands and styles. You will have the most luck talking to someone who has actually played a particular brand extensively and can tell you how they feel about it, as well as warn you of any long-term problems or shortcomings. For digital pianos, some preferred brands are the Yamaha Clavinova series ($1,800-$10,000) and the Roland HP series ($2000-$8000). For acoustic pianos, Yamaha, Steinway & Sons, Kawai, and Baldwin are all considered reliable brands. Each piano is best judged on its own independent merits. Visit a piano showroom or large music store with plenty of pianos to try. Staff should be happy to let you play any of the pianos on display (provided you play at an appropriate volume). Try as many as possible to get a sense of what sounds and feels the best to you. Bring a friend, preferably a musical one, to give a second opinion. Ask them to play while you listen. Take their advice on which pianos sound best, but remember your own preference is what's important, as you will be the one playing it. Try pianos side-by-side instead of going to several different stores. Most showrooms and piano suppliers have plenty of brands and styles, and you'll be able to compare them better if you play them one after the other. Make note of which pianos you liked the best, wait a day or two, and come back to play them again. You may feel differently about some of them the second time around, and having a few days to think will also help you weigh other factors such as cost. If you're buying an acoustic piano, bring your technician with you this time. Show them the pianos you're considering and ask them to take a look and make sure they are of high quality. The sales staff should be fine with this; if they aren't, find another store. If the piano is going to be primarily for your children, bring them in to try out your favorite pianos. Children will be more likely to show an interest in music and work hard in their practice if they feel a connection to the piano and an involvement in selecting it.
Find a registered piano technician. Ask for brand recommendations. Try some pianos at a showroom. Wait a few days and visit your favorite pianos again.