Hello,
Has anyone ever checked out shopgoodwill.com? It is the Goodwill version of ebay. Stores from all over the country participate.
They have almost everything. Seriously. Almost everything. Including instruments. I've looked at the flutes for a while. Yesterday, a Hawk open holed flute, with case, sold for $25. I passed on it, even at the price, because I couldn't find anything positive about it.
I've recognized my old Gemi model, purchased new by my parents in 1976, and I know the brands of some (Armstrong, Bundy, Emerson, etc.) but there are brands I've never encountered, like Hawk. Until I looked at that site, and did some research, Yamaha and Jupiter were unknown, as I've not played for years. I hadn't realized they were considered decent brands.
You have to be creative with your searches. Although, if one goes through listings, there is a musical instrument section, and "Woodwinds". But to simply search on "flute" doesn't tell the whole store, though piccolos are often listed as miniature flutes, and one also sees the occasional "flue" or "Fute" for sale.
I asked a question about one listing, and asked the store, who hasn't had time to respond, why they don't work out a deal with a local music store. Refurbish the ones considered worth it, and then post them, as refurbished and ready to play, at a price that covers the music store cost. It would be a great source of reliable instruments.
Another thing to note is that HUNDREDS of stores across the US participate. So, there is NO consistency in pricing. None. One store will list a Gemi for $5, and another for $20. But, seriously, is a 1970's Gemi, to be had for say, $15, worth it, even if it needs repadded. Many don't look like they are in trash condition, though some of them clearly are.
I just wondered.
Shopgoodwill.com
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Shopgoodwill.com
Take a look at the Fluteland FAQ page for brands you could consider:BuckeyeFlute wrote:Hello,
Has anyone ever checked out shopgoodwill.com? It is the Goodwill version of ebay. Stores from all over the country participate.
They have almost everything. Seriously. Almost everything. Including instruments. I've looked at the flutes for a while. Yesterday, a Hawk open holed flute, with case, sold for $25. I passed on it, even at the price, because I couldn't find anything positive about it.
I've recognized my old Gemi model, purchased new by my parents in 1976, and I know the brands of some (Armstrong, Bundy, Emerson, etc.) but there are brands I've never encountered, like Hawk. Until I looked at that site, and did some research, Yamaha and Jupiter were unknown, as I've not played for years. I hadn't realized they were considered decent brands.
Another thing to note is that HUNDREDS of stores across the US participate. So, there is NO consistency in pricing. None. One store will list a Gemi for $5, and another for $20. But, seriously, is a 1970's Gemi, to be had for say, $15, worth it, even if it needs repadded. Many don't look like they are in trash condition, though some of them clearly are.
I just wondered.
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5859
First, those prices are typically STARTING bids - not selling prices. When you buy from eBay or Goodwill, you might get a good useable instrument or you might get junk. The big question is like a quote from "Dirty Harry": Do you feel lucky?
If you are not lucky in your purchase, you might end up with a flute that needs $$$ in repairs. If you do buy from eBay or Goodwill, think of it like buying a lottery ticket - You might be a winner, but the odds are not in your favor unless the seller allows returns for any reason. Even then, you'll have to pay the shipping to return it."Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
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BuckeyeFlute
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 6:35 pm
Re: Shopgoodwill.com
Do a search under closed auctions. Some of those Gemis go for $15-20. Some go for more, and yes, there is a gamble.
I really wondered because I'm not sure of the value. I've looked at the Gemis from the time when mine was purchased (1976), which, form what I've read, are decent, and having it repadded, then donating it to the local music program. Mine was repadded by a guy in FL, who advertises on ebay for $69.99 + $20 for return shipping. He did my flute and piccolo, and did a great job. For $100, I could donate one to the local music program, and I could afford to do one a year.
Last year, there was a Berteling. I didn't see it until the auction was almost closed. It sold for $600. I emailed them, but it was too late, and they told me they would use the experience as a learning one, and try to check out the brands they didn't recognize in the future. I suspect it is volunteers who do much of it, from what I've seen in all categories.
Prices really go up during "band" season. But, $25 seems to be the average, and generally, the cheap ones are avoided.
There are some new ones there now because, per the listing, a local music store closed, and donated their inventory, which probably had some good tax benefits. But, they are a brand that people on here have dismissed.
I just wondered if anyone had ever looked at it. And, what models/brands to stick to if I want to donate one.
As of now, I have a bid on a Cleveland Flute, not the King brand, for $5.99, which is probably all it is worth. But, as a Buckeye, I wanted it because it is made in Cleveland, and from the family that also made aircraft, cars, and sewing machines. I have my grandmother's White sewing machine. I may or may not have it repadded.
Buckeye Flute
Gayle Ann
I really wondered because I'm not sure of the value. I've looked at the Gemis from the time when mine was purchased (1976), which, form what I've read, are decent, and having it repadded, then donating it to the local music program. Mine was repadded by a guy in FL, who advertises on ebay for $69.99 + $20 for return shipping. He did my flute and piccolo, and did a great job. For $100, I could donate one to the local music program, and I could afford to do one a year.
Last year, there was a Berteling. I didn't see it until the auction was almost closed. It sold for $600. I emailed them, but it was too late, and they told me they would use the experience as a learning one, and try to check out the brands they didn't recognize in the future. I suspect it is volunteers who do much of it, from what I've seen in all categories.
Prices really go up during "band" season. But, $25 seems to be the average, and generally, the cheap ones are avoided.
There are some new ones there now because, per the listing, a local music store closed, and donated their inventory, which probably had some good tax benefits. But, they are a brand that people on here have dismissed.
I just wondered if anyone had ever looked at it. And, what models/brands to stick to if I want to donate one.
As of now, I have a bid on a Cleveland Flute, not the King brand, for $5.99, which is probably all it is worth. But, as a Buckeye, I wanted it because it is made in Cleveland, and from the family that also made aircraft, cars, and sewing machines. I have my grandmother's White sewing machine. I may or may not have it repadded.
Buckeye Flute
Gayle Ann