2) Ask questions before you bid! Email the seller and ask about the item! If you don't get a prompt reply, don't bid! The con artists will ignore your questions! Legit sellers offer real info and are pleasant to deal with usually. Important questions to ask are:

Does the item have a serial number? Does the seller have manufacturer information/address and phone number (in case you need parts in the future)? Is there a warranty and what does it cover? How long do you have to be able to return an item if unhappy?

If the item does not have a serial number, more than likely it is a VERY CHEAP IMPORT, usually from China, and not many music shops are willing to repair the instrument because there are no parts available! These instruments are also very poorly made and usually break after only minimal usage. Nobody will want to help you fix even minor problems because further damage could be done during repair and they don't want the liability. Be very cautious with this. You may think you're getting a good deal on an inexpensive instrument, but in the long run you'll lose out and have to buy a better quality one soon anyway!

3) Research the product. Lots of notorious sellers claim they have a finely made German or Italian product (or whatever) and in very bold letters advertise the name (such as "We have the BLABLA, folks!" but most of these are fake companies and the names are simply made up and engraved on the no-name instrument. Ask around! Call up a music shop and ask if they've ever heard of the instrument or investigate online with musical organizations and search engines. There are many companies online who sell reputable, well known instruments and they can tell you whether or not they've ever heard of that instrument. Generally, beginner/student models of most musical instruments cost between 300-400 U.S. dollars. You can ask for some well known names of rental instruments and these are what you want to look for online/with Ebay. Avoid anything that you can't get info on. If you do a search on say, Google.com and come up with nothing helpful on your search, chances are..it's a fake instrument.

Many musicians have websites and message boards as well. Check them out. Interested in a flute? Look up flutist organizations. There are very large ones online and you can post a message about that particular instrument and ask for comments. You'll get honest info from musicians because many have used several different brands and are familiar with con artists. You can also ask at local high schools. The band teachers are used to dealing with certain instruments. They'll be able to tell you which are good and which are crap. You could have your son/daughter ask if it's appropriate.

4) Lastly, ask yourself some questions. If the item is inexpensive, what's your gut feeling on it? The rule of thumb with instruments is.. you get what you pay for. Fine quality instruments have a hefty price tag. What's it worth to you? Would you be happy with something that will break a year down the road? Will you be able to resell it once you or the student is ready for a more advanced model? Don't rush into anything. These bargain Ebay instruments will be here for a very long time and take a few days' time to find out some answers before you click on the "bid" button.

Buying a more well known, used brand is often better than buying an el cheapo questionable one. You can always have an good quality used instrument re-padded, cleaned and repaired for a fairly low cost and you'll have a very good instrument that will last and be a better investment, especially when it comes time for you to re-sell.

Hope this helps you!

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