Advice on buying a flute, please!

[MotherOfGirls]

My DD (aged 11) has been playing the flute for a year or so and hopes to take Grade 1 at Easter. So far we have hired a flute from her flute teacher for £20 per term. Her flute teacher now tells me the flute she is using is on it's last legs and she recommends buying one. She has a brand new Trevor James at £199, which she says is a good price as it is last year's model. She has bought it from Allflutes to sell on to a student and has given us the first option. She needs to know quickly, so she can offer it to another student if we don't want it.

I wasn't planning on spending that much right now but I have no idea whether this is the bargain she says it is. It would pay for itself in about 3 years and we would also have it to seel on if DD loses interest.

Any thoughts?

[Pacific]

DH is a flute teacher. This is a reasonable price for a Trevor James but not a huge bargain. Does your DD get school lessons? If so, local authority schools usually do ex-vat prices through the school and may be a bit cheaper.

However, this model is a good flute fo the money.

[MotherOfGirls]

Thanks, Pacific. The teacher comes into school but it is an independent school so I guess the ex-vat prices wouldn't be available.

Still undecided!

[catinthehat2]

I have googled for musical instruments successfully before. If you know the model, should be able to work out if £199 is the best bargain.

[SleepingLion]

DS has just taken up the flute and we were able to get his on HP - 10 monthly instalments, interest free - from the local music shop. It's also a Trevor James one but was slightly dearer so it seems as if you would be getting a good deal. We are happy because we don't have to pay in one lump sum though!

[MotherOfGirls]

Did a bit of research on prices and decided to go for it. Many thanks for your comments, ladies