Oh dear, that story, except the abuse, could be me. I bought a Bechstein upright last year, an R124 with S/N 215798. The R (for Residence) and A models differ a bit. R is more refined, and the differences between individual pianos are much less than in the A series. You can buy an R blind, but should never do so with an A. That said, just like the OP, I had great As at the Bechstein center. Buying this piano was a deep experience. It‘s a nerdy thing, too. Because you have to deep dive into why some pianos cost 4000 and others cost 40000. And it was deep in an emotional way. Deciding to sink the cost of a car in something… so emotional… not necessary to survive… is an act of love.

Bechstein itself is to be loved, too. While their pianos are super premium just as those from Steinway, they also produce the Hoffmann-brand on their own, which is much more affordable. In contrast, Steinway more or less sells rebranded pianos from Asia as their lower brands.

For those not into pianos: Steinway and Bechstein are premium manufacturers from Germany, like BMW and Mercedes. (Fazioli would be the Rolls Royce then).