hi fellows,
i study flute for a year. and i want to buy one. in my country i found stores that sells only yamaha, pearl and gimmenherdt (dixon, jupiter), I try them all. yamaha pearl 665/525 or the gemeinhardt 30shse. i have yamaha 100 seria. the gim' felt too big, in some way, perhaps the plastic?? but i played it better than the pearl...
1. do you have any recomandation?
2. what do you think about buyin a flute from the internet? without checking it first? do you recomend it?

thanks,
eynat

If you buy from a reputable source, there is nothing wrong with buying an instrument from the internet. However, there are many scams out there, so you have to be careful. Expect to pay for some set up by a tech, as very few new instruments come completely prepared to play. If you've already played a flute of the same make and model, the one you buy off the net is likely to be much the same (unless, of course, you are buying a custom built or handmade instrument, which in your case, you are not), so the fact that you haven't gotten to play that specific flute isn't the greatest worry, though optimally you would want to be sure what you were going to end up with satisfied you. I have bought some instruments from the internet quite successfully, but there are more pitfalls through the web than there are when buying in person, so be careful what you go after.

I have an agreement with my local flute repair person: if I buy a flute over the internet, I first make sure that I can return it within 3 to 7 days. I ship it directly to the repair shop. The repair guy looks at it for any problems, and will send it back for me if it will cost a lot of money to repair, or has some other big problem. Otherwise, when I play test it I can be sure that there are no leaks or other problems.
You can get a good flute online. Three reputable sources for flutes would be 1)our forum member Kara, 2)Nancy Shinn of http://www.flutestar.com , and 3)Liz of Winds 101 (you'll have to google winds 101, as I don't have her web address handy.) These are some of the best deals available, since you get a good flute, often in new condition- that you can't tell is used!-for a great price.
New flutes can also be bought off the internet, as well as used form eBay, but you will have to have a return guarantee and a way of determining that the flute does not have leaky pads or other problems.
You can also get a bad deal online, buying an instrument that did not pass quality control, or somebody who just takes your money and does not send you a flute. Have a conversation via email, and if possible by telephone, before you agree to buy a flute over the internet.

Hey tibbie...

I sent you a PM about a flute you sent me. Been waiting to hear back from you...

PM if you see this...

Joe B

thank you all for your answers.
do you recomend the flute world. or flute center of N.Y?
eynat

Either one is fine, as both are very reputable sources. I personally give most of my business to Fluteworld, but if Flute Center of N.Y. had something I wanted for a reasonable price, I would have no hesitations about buying from them.