I thought this ad was joking...

[flutegeek1992]

So, I was browsing Ebay looking at their current flutes being sold. Most of them are complete crap, but I saw something that caught my eye. It was advertising a student model, pink flute with a split e. I though the ad was joking, but alas its true.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUTE-PINK-COLOR-Si ... dZViewItem

Are they adding this feature as a way of further marketing? Or to try to suck people out of their money? Why are they putting split e's on novelty flutes?

[flutepicc06]

My guess would be that it doesn't even operate as it should. It's just another feature to pull in sales from unknowing buyers. They've actually been putting Split E's on these junkers for a while.

[flutegeek1992]

I'm so out of the loop then! I was thinking it would tie up the mechanism too. Another reason to not buy a flute on ebay.

[remnantpark]

Ha ha that is funny! Interesting how they're selling a "pink" flute made out of junk and probably a Split E that wouldn't even work.

[flutepicc06]

I'm so out of the loop then! I was thinking it would tie up the mechanism too. Another reason to not buy a flute on ebay.

There's no reason not to buy a flute on eBay as long as you know what you're looking at and are willing to take responsibility for any repairs that may be necessary. I've gotten several great deals on instruments from eBay. My first picc was a YPC-32 we picked up for $385 in basically new condition, and just recently I got an Eb flute for about $600 that plays very well without any repairs. It's a more dangerous route to go than buying through a flute dealer, but if you know what you're doing and how to avoid the junkers and scams, you can get some amazing deals from eBay.

[fluteguy18]

I'm so out of the loop then! I was thinking it would tie up the mechanism too. Another reason to not buy a flute on ebay.

There's no reason not to buy a flute on eBay as long as you know what you're looking at and are willing to take responsibility for any repairs that may be necessary. I've gotten several great deals on instruments from eBay. My first picc was a YPC-32 we picked up for $385 in basically new condition, and just recently I got an Eb flute for about $600 that plays very well without any repairs. It's a more dangerous route to go than buying through a flute dealer, but if you know what you're doing and how to avoid the junkers and scams, you can get some amazing deals from eBay.

Ditto. I did the same thing when I bought my Yamaha 62. I tried several of these, and couldnt find much of a discernable difference between them, so I took the risk of getting it about 1/2 price on ebay [ but the seller was very reputable ***over 1000 sales and a 100% positive feedback*** and offered a trial period]. So as long as you know what you are doing, and know what you are looking at, and feel okay about it, then you shouldnt run into too much trouble. When I bought my Yamaha off of there, it was probably one of the best purchase expieriances on there I have ever had.

[flutegeek1992]

I would absolutly buy a flute on Ebay now that I know what I'm doing (which is how I found that flute in the first place-I was looking for some good deals). However, I'd never say it was a good idea for a student, just because I'd be afraid they'd pick up one of this pieces because the colors are pretty. But yeah, I agree that ebay can get you some amazing deals. I had a teacher who got this amazing Louis Lot antique piece (circa 1880) on ebay for $100! Pawn shops are the same way, some people just don't know what they've got!

[briolette]

I would be really embarrassed to play on a flute that looked like that. Just something about the pink...

I agree though with some of the comments. I would not hesitate to purchase an instrument from Ebay if it was a respected brand and seller.

[fluteguy18]

If I had the extra 100 dollars laying around, I would be tempted to buy it.... just to hear what it sounds like...

[andy957]

So, I was browsing Ebay looking at their current flutes being sold. Most of them are complete crap, but I saw something that caught my eye. It was advertising a student model, pink flute with a split e. I though the ad was joking, but alas its true.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUTE-PINK-COLOR-Si ... dZViewItem

Are they adding this feature as a way of further marketing? Or to try to suck people out of their money? Why are they putting split e's on novelty flutes?

Just as a side-note, I purchased one of the cheap Venus piccolos, not the pink one, however, to try it out, from this seller (musicalwheel) on eBay. I phoned them after I won the instrument to ask some questions and spoke to a very friendly and courteous and professional man named William, who advised me that the metal Venus piccs are terrible but that their plastic ones are much better. I decided to try out the metal one anyway. It was a piece of crap, bad pads, terrible intonation (some notes 1/2 tone off!) and as soon as I contacted William, he asked me questions about why it wasn't good and with no questions asked, gave me an immediate refund (after I shipped it back to him). So although I wouldn't recommend this piccolo, I have nothing but the BEST things to say about this eBay seller. Just my $.02 worth.

[MeLizzard]

We had great laughs with this listing at work yesterday (music store--that does NOT sell pink flutes...). One of the guys described its appearance as "An Ipod h%*&@# a bottle of Pepto!". Reasonably accurate, I guess. I agree that one can find decent instruments on EBay, but am concerned that, mostly, instrument-uneducated parents of beginners and other young players are the ones doing most of the shopping. The sellers are even becoming increasingly savvy with their vocabulary, having learned to say the instrument is "very responsive" or has "excellent intonation". My favorite line is "school-band approved" or "band director approved". Who'd they ask?!?! Nobody I know. Also, I don't understand why, if an instrument is of poor quality and the seller knows this, and freely admits as much, he or she will sell it anyway. ??? I mean, I'm glad the previous poster got good customer service, but Good Grief! I couldn't sleep at night, knowing anyone could connect my name with shoddy products!
The manager suggested I hang the pink flute in my studio as a decoration, but I was afraid it would cause unsuspecting, uninformed youngsters to shout, "Cool! I want one!". We also quite enjoyed the same seller's listing for a green clarinet.

[Claiken]

student models with split E's? weird...

I have seen these colored flutes before though... If they made actual good sounding intermediate level (open holed) flutes i would want one!! Solid silver but plated in green, it would be awesome!! and differnet. hehe.

[shortandsilly]

So, I was browsing Ebay looking at their current flutes being sold. Most of them are complete crap, but I saw something that caught my eye. It was advertising a student model, pink flute with a split e. I though the ad was joking, but alas its true.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUTE-PINK-COLOR-Si ... dZViewItem

Are they adding this feature as a way of further marketing? Or to try to suck people out of their money? Why are they putting split e's on novelty flutes?

the pink looks like that clear stuff that you can just peel off by chipping the paint a little...sick. who cares if there is a split e mechanism, the flute is junk.

[fluteguy18]

I am actually thinking about buying a really REALLY cheap flute to take apart.... just to learn how to unpin mechanisms, and expierament a little....

[Mark]

I am actually thinking about buying a really REALLY cheap flute to take apart.... just to learn how to unpin mechanisms, and expierament a little....

so find an old Pan Am or Armstrong that way if you get it back together
right you will have something to play on the riverbanks.

oh.. and if you do such a thing, take good notes on where everything is
as you take it apart.

mark