Sheesh! Return your off-brand (we often get what we pay for!!) and repad your old Armstrong. For a price reference, I live in a smallish town with an excellent repair tech but a relatively low cost of living, and here a repad is about $200--but then the flute in question plays as well as ever, some better. A new headjoint, if you're feeling curious and can afford it, will also totally change the sound of your old flute. Armstrong offers several headjoint cuts now.