I just got back from an auction for a local music store that is closing up shop. There were all kinds of things there, guitars, band instruments, amps, rainsticks (so cool!), etc. I went to check it out and see if there were any alto or bass flutes, pennywhistles, music or electronic gizmos that I could use.

In the flute category it was a sore disappointment. All the flutes were ancient, already used and abused when the store acquired them. Besides being ancient, they were all lower quality or no-quality brands. They would all have required work to make them decently playable. I toyed with the idea of buying some if they went cheaply enough and donating them to someplace that has a real need for them, but that would have taken more money and time than I have to make them usable. Besides, they were really bad! The kind of bad that makes you cringe when a student walks in the door with one, even before the case is opened. The kind of bad that makes you think “This flute would make a nice lamp or something!”

What surprised and intrigued me was a man and woman who were staking a claim on them along with some clarinets (which were also pretty scary). She was really jazzed about them, but it was clear that she wasn’t a music store owner or a flutist. I wanted to ask her what was exciting her so much about these decrepit instruments, but I stayed out of the way as she hunted and gathered. Then it occurred to me that she was possibly an online seller, somebody that sees these things solely as commodities, but has little real knowledge of them, ready to resell them to unsuspecting people looking for a deal or needing a break on getting an instrument for their kid. The kind of reseller that might shine the flute up a little, and sell it for $100 or so, but bears no responsibility as to whether the flute actually plays or not.

Maybe this is harsh, but I have seen plenty of ads, placed by resellers that have no idea what they are selling, and are just trying to make some money and move on. The ads sound so good but once an actual brand name is mentioned or a picture is posted, it is clear that the product does not match the hype. I hate the thought of unknowledgeable people being taken advantage this way, I think it sours their musical experience and that is unforgivable. Sure there are lots of stories of a treasure that was found at a pawn shop, which is what I was hoping for today, but instead I only found disappointment and opportunism. I hope I’m wrong.