Second hand flute - ebay?

[rubyhorse]

DD (8) is learning flute at the moment. She's easily discouraged, sadly, and teeters on the brink of giving up. But for now, she wants to plough on and I want to try to support that.

Problem is her flute is knackered and it makes everything so much harder for her. Repairing it would be expensive and she'd be without it for a while, so I was considering a second hand one. Problem is, we are pretty skint and in truth I'm not sure how long she'll last for. So I was looking on ebay. DD has unfortunately told her teacher this and come back with a stern warning not to do so. Rats.

Is it really so bad? Is there another alternative? Absolutely has to be less than 100 pounds, I'm afraid.

[Verycold]

Hire one?

[WeAreSix]

Don't do it. The chances are you'll get one in a worse condition than the one you've already got.

Hiring one is a good idea. Ask the teacher if she can recommend someone to repair the flute. What needs doing on it? And what make is it (if you don't mind me asking!)

[rubyhorse]

It's an Odyssey, bought as a present. Don't think it's very good.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SSECLM/?hvadid=9555489909&ref=asc_df_B000SSECLM&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

The bar along the back is bent and the flute itself is bowed. DD is a wrecking ball :-). The teacher is hinting that it isn't worth repairing...

[rubyhorse]

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SSECLM/?hvadid=9555489909&ref=asc_df_B000SSECLM&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[WeAreSix]

Sounds like it would need a lot of work which would be expensive.

The trouble with eBay is that you don't know what you're getting unless you can view the instrument before buying. Even then you may still need to get the pads etc done which all adds in to the budget.

I'd ask the teacher directly - say you're happy to replace the flute but your budget is a strict £100. She may know someone selling a decent 2nd hand flute. If you go down the hire route, check the t&c's carefully to see what would happen if DD broke it. The hire is usually about £20pcm so your £100 would soon be gone!

[rubyhorse]

Thanks. DD says her teacher has recommended going to a particular shop and asking. Thing is, though, I don't think she's much of a pragmatist iykwim. Have seen this today and might investigate

www.mevtaylors.co.uk/rental.htm

[Sickandsad]

Most decent music shops will be ale to offer the 'Take It Away' scheme which allows you to take the instrument there and then and pay for it in interest free instalments over a period to suit you. This might help you afford a slightly better instrument from a reputable source.

I wouldn't put up with the DC wrecking something as precious as an instrument though. Would only buy one if it was made crystal clear that any larking about likely to cause damage to an expensive flute was not acceptable.

[Sickandsad]

Forgot to add the linky www.takeitaway.org.uk/

[rubyhorse]

What a great scheme. Sadly we aren't eligible in Scotland. Wonder if there's something similar up here.

I know what you mean Sickandsad, but DD isn't larking around with her flute. She's just incredibly heavy handed / clumsy, so this is just two years of wear and tear of playing, dismantling, putting away. She is trying, and we talk about taking care, but to be honest that's another reason for not going too expensive - I want her to look after it, but not to be paralysed by it.

[Sickandsad]

You canola use the scheme via mail order....

Q: Can I use the scheme if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
A: Although we only operate the scheme through music shops based in England, you can still use the Take it away scheme if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, either by visiting a participating store in England or via mail order through our participating retailers.

[rubyhorse]

Ooh. Good to know.

PS. Hope you aren't too sick or too sad.