1) First and foremost, this is a solidly built, quality instrument. It plays well and while it may not compare to a $700 Yamaha, it is much more than sufficient for the beginner to intermediate player. So don't believe the bias that "all reasonably priced instruments" are "cheap", because this one is NOT. (Again, not an expert, just my opinion).
2) The average rental of a $300 Yamaha beginner flute is approx $30/month. The average interest a beginner shows in playing the flute is about 9 months (one school year). After 3 to 4 months, this flute is PAID for and will still be of sufficient quality for another several years until the student is of a more intermediate skill level (perhaps even longer...who knows?).
3) If you rent a $300 flute and your kid sits on it, reenacts Starwars light saber fights, etc, then you just bought a $300 used rental (at full price)... and it probably is not reparable should those type of severe "accidents" occur. Kids are prone to use Flutes in all sorts of ways that are detrimental to the wallet of the person responsible for the rental. If your kid trashes this one, you're out about $120 and can still buy another NEW one and even then, you're STILL below the replacement cost of that rental.
4) Lets face it. The instrument quality is not the issue for a beginner. Unless your child is a prodigy, this instrument will not be the weak link in the child's playing:
The child's skill level will be.
Which is all the more reason to buy a flute that is skill level appropriate (and IMHO the flute is far beyond a beginner's skill level for at least the first 2 or 3 years. After that, you suck it up and buy the child a new flute proportionate to their VERIFIED commitment.
5) If you have multiple children, when/if one loses interest, you own the instrument for use by the next child... or foryour use should you ever get the urge. The convenience of having it at arms reach may be the difference between a child going back to it, a new child picking it up, or the parent fulfilling that age old desire to learn an instrument. A good rental will get returned when the interest fades (usually after 9 months at $30/month, with a total cost of $270) and then good luck ever playing it again when the mood strikes... you get the idea.
6) Based on the reviews of this particular flute, the seller seems to make a great effort in resolving any issues promptly and professionally. That was the clincher for me and although I never had an issue (arrived promptly and in perfect working condition), it is is good to know there is someone who takes pride in their products that is just an email away.
So that's my take on the whole rent vs. own thing. I hope this helps other in deciding what to do.
PS(Just want to be clear that I have no association with the seller, beyond that of being a satisfied customer).
By Fresno on December 5, 2012
