Are Ebay Piccolos safe?
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Are Ebay Piccolos safe?
Im saving up for a piccolo, and the ebay ones dont cost that much, but my mom and I were talking, and she told me about piccolo frod, would i be waisting my money if i got one?
It depends on what you buy; there are a couple of rules for ebay purchases:
1) If it's too good to be true, it probably is - not always, but probably.
2) There are good deals on ebay, but you need to know what you're buying; there's a lot of trash as well.
3) Many no-name (or new-name) items that are sold well below the average market price are of poor quality; for musical instruments, that often translates into an instrument which is difficult (or impossible) to play.
If you buy a used instrument sight-unseen, it is best to assume that you will have to do something to get it into playable shape. I found a nice open hole Gemeinhardt M3 flute, that was advertised as "scratchy finish, but playable," for around $100; when I got it, I found that the finish was ok, but it needed to be completely re-padded. I still feel that I got a good deal.
1) If it's too good to be true, it probably is - not always, but probably.
2) There are good deals on ebay, but you need to know what you're buying; there's a lot of trash as well.
3) Many no-name (or new-name) items that are sold well below the average market price are of poor quality; for musical instruments, that often translates into an instrument which is difficult (or impossible) to play.
If you buy a used instrument sight-unseen, it is best to assume that you will have to do something to get it into playable shape. I found a nice open hole Gemeinhardt M3 flute, that was advertised as "scratchy finish, but playable," for around $100; when I got it, I found that the finish was ok, but it needed to be completely re-padded. I still feel that I got a good deal.
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
Do as much research as possible. If possible, go to a music store and try piccolos at least to find what you like. You are much better off buying a used one locally, but if ebay is the only option, know your stuff.
Ask LOTS of questions. Ask about the pads, does it play, how old is it, are there any bent keys/major dents. If you receive wrong answers, ebay has policies that protect you. Also realize that for the most part, you get what you pay for. I have received good deals on flutes/piccolos on ebay, but I know what to look for. It is very easy to get burnt.
Decent piccolos to buy: Emerson, Gemeinhardt & Yamaha (the ones that I recommend to students). I don't care for Armstrong piccoloos, but they are not mechanically bad - just my preference.
Piccolos I don't recommend: Jinyin, Monique, Simba, Venus, Selman, any colored piccolos, and any piccolo that does not list a brand name in the description. The ones that I listed have been play tested either by me or a tech friend of mine. We make a habit of buying suspicious flutes/piccolos to give them a work out
All have failed to impress me.
Ask LOTS of questions. Ask about the pads, does it play, how old is it, are there any bent keys/major dents. If you receive wrong answers, ebay has policies that protect you. Also realize that for the most part, you get what you pay for. I have received good deals on flutes/piccolos on ebay, but I know what to look for. It is very easy to get burnt.
Decent piccolos to buy: Emerson, Gemeinhardt & Yamaha (the ones that I recommend to students). I don't care for Armstrong piccoloos, but they are not mechanically bad - just my preference.
Piccolos I don't recommend: Jinyin, Monique, Simba, Venus, Selman, any colored piccolos, and any piccolo that does not list a brand name in the description. The ones that I listed have been play tested either by me or a tech friend of mine. We make a habit of buying suspicious flutes/piccolos to give them a work out
All have failed to impress me.-
fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
Sorry. The hard truth is . . . you really do get what you pay for. If you are looking for a cheap piccolo, try buying a used one. Sites such as usedflutes.com are designed for that purpoase, though you do need to be careful there as well. I do not suggest listing a "wanted" ad because the chances that you will receive a fraud offer are pretty high, but you can respond to the listed ads, just ask the appropriate questions and don't be afraid to ask for references as well. I have bought and sold there many times. Good luck!
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
Safe?
Well . . . I wouldn't buy one to play. Maybe to display, but don't expect it to be a piccolo that will take you very far or to sound very good. The biggest problem (aside from intonation which is VERY noticeable on the ones I have tried) is the fact that it will fall apart in a short amount of time. At best, pad problems will arise about three months of hard use. The ones that I have had experiences with have not lasted long enough to justify buying. You are much better off buying a used quality made piccolo.
Well . . . I wouldn't buy one to play. Maybe to display, but don't expect it to be a piccolo that will take you very far or to sound very good. The biggest problem (aside from intonation which is VERY noticeable on the ones I have tried) is the fact that it will fall apart in a short amount of time. At best, pad problems will arise about three months of hard use. The ones that I have had experiences with have not lasted long enough to justify buying. You are much better off buying a used quality made piccolo.
Okay, I found one on www.music123.com, $15 a month for about 2 years, and its a Burrington, is that good? If not my mom said shed help me with some payments from a local music shop.
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
Wow . . . I feel like the dasher of all hopes 
Personally, I have not tried Barrington piccolos. I could not give an opinion on them since I have not played them. However, I have tried music123 and will NEVER buy from there again! First, you have to apply for credit to get the payment plan, and it will cost you in interest (something that you should know as well). That is something that you will need a parent to do. Aside from that, the instruments that I received from there were in poor condition. One was out of adjustment so bad that half of the notes would not play. Granted, this could have happened in shipping, but not likely. None of the flutes played well, and they were name brand instruments that I have purchased from a local retailer. I called and they gave me the run around. I am not sure how reliable their tech people are, but I would NEVER send a flute to them for repairs if this is what their "play check" produces.
I just thought you might want to know this information. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, there probably is a catch.
Personally, I have not tried Barrington piccolos. I could not give an opinion on them since I have not played them. However, I have tried music123 and will NEVER buy from there again! First, you have to apply for credit to get the payment plan, and it will cost you in interest (something that you should know as well). That is something that you will need a parent to do. Aside from that, the instruments that I received from there were in poor condition. One was out of adjustment so bad that half of the notes would not play. Granted, this could have happened in shipping, but not likely. None of the flutes played well, and they were name brand instruments that I have purchased from a local retailer. I called and they gave me the run around. I am not sure how reliable their tech people are, but I would NEVER send a flute to them for repairs if this is what their "play check" produces.
I just thought you might want to know this information. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, there probably is a catch.
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fluttiegurl
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:05 pm
