There are quite a few highly skilled flute makers selling/auctioning their products on EBAY at an array of prices. Then, there are some flute makers who are cranking out some totally "So So" or ""Less So" inexpensive flutes on a routine basis that just may fit into the cheap toilet paper scenario of; " You got exactly what you paid for! " The whole notion of buying items at "auction prices" is a huge variable all in itself. Some of us have seen a few flute auctions that started out at $1.00 sell in the high hundreds and there have been some way low priced auctions that seemed like everyone else on the flute planet was asleep or out to lunch, and they missed out on the deal of a life time.
Buying your flutes on EBAY could actually be compared to buying your shoes on EBAY. If you are very familiar with the product line, and the cost is what you personally determine as a "good price", then go for it, since getting a fair price on something that works for you or pleases you in whatever way, is usually why you are purchasing that product. Some of us may actually feel a tad bit guilty since we fully realize that the cobbler or flute maker invested a significant amount of money, time, thought, energy, and risks, on something that we got . . . for what seemed like a song! Some other "Gotta Have It" items can and do sell for what seems to be a rather high price to others. Take a closer look the next time you are at a flute festival and you will see that some of the silent auction ending prices for certain flutes are often a good example of what more of the flute makers should be getting for their "true musical works of art". Yes, that auction money goes to help support the festivals or perhaps some other particular good cause, but I have heard more than one flute maker say that he sure wished he could fetch a price like that more often on his flutes.
Native American Flutes cannot be found at your local "FluteMart" or at "Flute-SAKS Avenue", but flute buyers still need to be savvy shoppers whether they are buying on EBAY or from certain flute maker's web sites. It is wise to ask around, and that is where some of the flute circle folks could probably assist new flute players in helping them to make better decisions with some of their purchases. Let's face it, there could indeed be a few flute makers out there with an agenda that does not necessarily involve what is best for the flute player, his needs, and his wallet!
Kudos to the flute makers who take the appropriate extra steps to make things right when there is a problem with a flute. Yes, it seems to be true, that a certain flute maker is known to prey on the buyer's sympathy. The people who receive a much less than adequate flute often will not return their purchase simply because they believe that the maker is being honest about his "situation" and truly needs the funds to survive. There are other folks who do not wish to return flutes simply because they do not wish to hurt someone's feelings.
There are flute makers that readily state that their flutes are "Tuned To Itself" and the buyer is more than welcome to return the flute if they are not pleased. On the other end of the spectrum, there may be a very well known flute maker who may have had a bad tuning week in his workshop, "Sagittarius was misaligned with the moon" , or perhaps someone may be losing his flute making touch and has produced a flute or two that is simply not up to par. In that case, those mediocre flutes probably should be gifted to someone for their first flute instead of being sold as a "Concert Quality Flute". As with many other products that can be purchased on EBAY and over the Internet in general, it is extremely wise to make sure the seller, store, or business offers a full refund if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
Negative feedback on EBAY affects a sellers reputation and some people will simply NOT purchase a product from a buyer with a certain percentage of negative feedback, but there is always room for constructive criticism and honest remarks within positive feedback responses. That goes both ways since we all know that some people are almost impossible to please and have left unwarranted negative feedback for their purchase. However, it does pay to read the fine lines and all of the sellers feedback. For the new flute makers trying to get their product recognized, EBAY is a great place for them to start, but they need to offer full refunds, and be able to accept constructive criticism. It is wise to note that someone on EBAY may have sold 500 other items with excellent feedback, but now they are now offering a Native American Flute for the first time. You can do a little homework, or roll those dice! Otherwise, cover your assets!
Also, try to remember to allow a factor of human error in everyone, since we are all indeed human and prone to error! I need not even begin to discuss our displeasure with damaged packages or delayed shipping since that has already been covered in another worthy post. I do believe there is a notice/article somewhere on EBAY and also on the INAFA site about purchasing a Native American Flute that you may find to be very helpful and informative. If someone could locate and posts those specific articles, I am sure it would be appreciated. Otherwise, this lengthy (opinionated and factual) post should suffice for starters!
It may be a good assumption, that a fair amount of people who log onto this portal, have purchased at least one or two flutes in the past that were much less than anticipated.
We could probably also assume, that the majority of people on this portal would not purchase a flute unless they had played it themselves, they heard it played first on a recording, or, . . . that they are extremely familiar with the workmanship and quality of the flutes that they are planning to purchase from a flute maker on EBAY or elsewhere on the Internet. Savvy, eh!
Most highly reputable flute makers are known to offer a sound bite of their flutes so that you can hear their flute before considering your bid/purchase. No, not everyone has the equipment, technology, or skills available to offer their customers a sound sample, but there is a way to read between the lines on the feedback comments left for some of these "less than adequate" flute makers. Some feedback may say; "Arrived In A Timely Fashion", "Nice Wood", or "Looks Great", with NO mention at all about the sound quality of the flute. If you find very few to zero (either glowing or very good) positive remarks about the sound quality of a flute on the EBAY feedback for a flute maker, then should probably search elsewhere for a flute!
But then again, let's compare this scenario for a fun example!
Billy Bob "Six Feathers" Valdoochie Johnson JR., has been wolfing down "Two Buck" hamburgers at fast food joints all his natural born life, . . . and once in a blue moon, . . . he would even spring for a double bacon cheeseburger down at the neighborhood greasy spoon called, "Vittles". After all his 44 years of what he considered as "Living Large" . . . It Happened! His high falutin' cousin, Benny "Lone Cactus Sings With Wind" Valdoochie, was visiting all the way from Texas, and offered to cook up Billy Bob his special Big Bertha Angus Burger, along a mess of his secret recipe of "Kill Joy Baked Beans", of which . . . "Six Feathers" had for sure never ever seen or tasted the likes of in his neck of the woods. Well, "Six Feathers" sat down to eat with "Lone Cactus Sings With Wind" and after his first scrumptious bite, he hollered out WOOOO HOOOO and said; "It don't get much better than this!" "Glory Be And Shoot Fire!"; bellowed his increasingly windy cousin who then said; "Some folks just don't realize what they are truly missing out on, until it hits em square in the mouth!" The cousins agreed, and great winds were heard from near and far!
That being said, . . . If someone wishes to start out learning how to play on a $45.00 flute that fits their current budget, then so be it. Flute folks with a acquired ear for a "Fine Flute" could probably fill the Rose Bowl with all of the permanently parked unpleasant sounding flutes that are rendered as fairly worthless, except as perhaps fire starters. That would be the bon fire of the century, but I think California has already experienced enough smoke to last them another decade or two.
Having a "not so great" or "cheap flute" in the house could be an advantage when there is a snot nosed sticky fingered little rug rat lurking who insist on playing/toying with one of your precious flutes. You can simply reach for that old dust collector and say; "Go right ahead little Jimmie, . . . You are more than welcome to play this one! " : )
Let it also be said, that some flute folks and recording musicians truly love owning some "Funky Flutes" that have a totally unique sound quality nothing like their "tuned" flutes. Some like a cool buzz in their flute, some like a crying squeal, and some like . . . way beyond warble!
The good news is, that there are indeed many fine flute makers who sell their flutes on EBAY, and that venue frequently offers quite a few people a chance to "Win" and then own a truly great flute at a reasonable price. The other good news is that many flute players have the opportunity to periodically attend flute festivals so that they may closely examine and play hundreds of flutes made by dozens of wonderful flute makers. I know someone who probably would have returned many "Internet" flutes if she had not been able to attend a flute festival and finally adopt a fantastic sounding Low D that was comfortable and perfectly suited for her skinny little fingers. Hands on, is a good thing!
EBAY is said to also be great place to get a "slightly used" flute from someone who is downsizing their oversized collection.
Speaking of which, many thanks to the Flute Portal for offering flute folks another great place to purchase flutes via the classified section.
With appreciation for all the "song sticks" that sing so well, SongBird
Many Blessings...Robert
Then on the other hand I have also gotten just a couple that wasn't worth the price of shipping them to me much less the bidding price! 
But that is the chance you take when you buy without seeing them in person. Can't go by the looks either cause I got one that had the Best "Horse Head" carved on the end of it and Man whoever made this one was an Artist because that thing was so real looking... but they weren't a Flutemaker because when I tried to play it it sounded like a Bullfrog with a June Bug caught in its throat!!! 
Many Blessings...Robert
Well if I mess it up any more I guess I could pull a "Godfather" on it and cut the Horsehead off and attach it on another flute. 
Many Blessings...Robert
