Advice on used flute

Rayne · Post by **Rayne** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:36 pm

Is $350 a good deal for a Gemeinhardt 3SHB? The seller purchased it new and has had all of the pads and corks replaced a couple of years ago. He/she said it was just used for high school band and does not have any dents or dings, only very fine scratches here and there from normal use.

It comes with a hard and soft case as well.

I was debating on buying this used one for $350 or buying a brand new Gemeinhardt 3BO for $510 from FluteWorld.com. My budget isn't very big.

Also, I'm picking up the flute after 10 years of not playing (since Jr/High school), so I don't need anything spectacular...just a nice flute I can relearn on and grow a little with. I'll be upgrading in a few years.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:32 pm

I think you may be on the right track now. When buying used, keep a few things in mind and you should be fine. First, play before you buy. If this is not an option, I would preceed with caution. Maybe ask the seller to call you personally and play it over the phone (I have actually done this). Also ask for a receipt from the work done. Make sure it was from a reputable tech. Finally, make sure there is a return policy (if you are buying online) and that you can return it if it is not what you expected.

The main thing you will pick up with the SHB is a silver headjoint. You will just need to try them out to see whether or not this is the right one for you. I will tell you that the SHB has a better resale value if you decide to sell it and upgrade. That is definately something to consider. If it is in good condition, $350 is pretty good. Pending that you take care of it, you should be able to get your money back out of it later on. The 3B will probably only bring you about $300 in resale (they are not highly sought after).

Rayne · Post by **Rayne** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:26 pm

Thanks so much, fluttiegurl.

I can't play the instrument beforehand, but the seller does offer money back within 2 weeks of purchase. I went ahead and bought the used 3SHB and the seller should be shipping it out tomorrow. I thought about taking it to our local music shop and seeing if they could inspect it to make sure nothing was bent, etc.

I appreciate all of your help!

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:28 pm

fluttiegurl wrote:...ask for a receipt from the work done. Make sure it was from a reputable tech.

Call me Mr. Skeptic, but sometimes that is difficult to determine. Anyone with a computer and a decent printer can print a legitimate-looking receipt. If the repairs were performed at a music store or big repair shop, I suppose you could try phoning the shop to verify, but with privacy laws nowadays, they may not want to divulge information or they may not want to go searching back two years to find that repair ticket. Another consideration is that since the repairs were performed "a couple of years ago" there is no guarantee that it is still in good condition. Plus, some of the best flute technicians don't advertise, work out of their home, and operate only on referrals from previous clients. Perhaps that is the exception, but in my area, we have a flute technician that retired from the Powell factory and he operates in that fashion because he doesn't want a lot of work. His receipts are handwritten on a notepad - would you accept that as proof?

Also, I make a distinction between a reputable tech and a quality tech. There are a number of music stores in my area that sell student and intermediate grade flutes. I consider them reputable and they generally have competent repair techs to repair those student/intermediate instruments. Would I want them to work on my hand-made flute? Probably not. Their repair techs are reputable and good, but generally are not experienced with hand-made flutes. In my mind, there are different levels of good/competent repair techs.

Anyway, the bottom-line is that the proof is in playing the instrument or as you suggested, having a return privilege when buying a used instrument online - but even then there are risks. And the regarding the flute you heard over the phone: Did you hear the one that was for sale or perhaps a different, better instrument? Again, call me Mr. Skeptic...

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:19 am

There are always risks associated with buying any used instrument (online or otherwise). You are right, the only proof is in playing it. In the mean time, there are simple ways to ward off frauds. If someone can't or won't answer any of your questions (or are not willing/able to provide a receipt) that is a sign of potential fraud. That is all I was getting at. The simple fact is that even if the flute leaves the seller in perfect condition, it will most likely need adjusting from the shipping. However, by asking questions, you can save yourself a lot of headache in weeding out undesireables. I may not buy that instrument, but the seller has earned points from me for providing that information. And yes, I would accept a hand written receipt if it has any amount of detail discribing what was done. I do many of my own repairs and I always write down what I did along with the date. I do this with my own flutes as well as students flutes. These are merely suggestions as to questions to ask. I have also played flutes over the phone for potential buyers across the country. Yes, it takes faith that I am playing the right flute, but it also lets the buyer know that I do know something about the flute. Also keep in mind that even if I can make it play well does not mean an intermediate student could do the same. Whether or not that helps a person decide to buy is no matter. The point is, is the seller willing or able to give that information. What I have found is that fraudulant sellers generally know absolutely nothing about what they are trying to sell. If they cannot provide information that I request, I move on.

Let's face it, any person with a decent computer can make up numberous businesses, products, etc and make a fortune before anyone catches on. Even cautious consumers can get ripped off. That will not stop me from buying online, instruments or anything else. I have literally saved thousands doing so, and have had very few problems (all of which were resolved easily). It has also allowed me and many of my students to play higher quality flutes that would not be accessable to us otherwise. The biggest rip off on an instrument that ever happened to me was from a dealer who sold me a brand new, name brand piece of junk. Simple solution, I no longer deal with that company or manufacturer.