Closing the Wooden Flute Exchange

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:12 pm

Hi fluters,

I started the "Wooden Flute Exchange" in 1998 as a free service to help people find or sell wooden flutes. The Internet was a different world back then, and the Exchange was an efficient and convenient way for legitimate buyers and sellers in far-flung places to find each other.

The picture has changed dramatically in the past few years. I'm discouraged by the growing flock of scam artists that review the ads on my site and contact sellers or people looking for flutes to buy. Some people with ads on the site tell me they receive 10 or more scam attempts for every legitimate inquiry. So far nobody that I know of has been seriously burned (I have conspicuous warnings on the site and send additional warnings by email to everyone who sends in an ad), but it's only a matter of time. I don't think this model works anymore; unfortunately the scammers have spoiled it for everyone.

Accordingly, on May 1, 2006, I'm going to shut down the Wooden Flute Exchange and delete it from my site. It was fun while it lasted, but it's just too risky now.

Cheers,

Brad

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:16 pm

Brad,

sorry to see it go, but I do understand. I sold 3-4 instruments via your site...so thanks for having provided this service.

Eric

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:56 pm

Brad,

I too will be sad to see it go, but I also understand. Thanks so much for your effort over the years.

Loren

chas · Post by **chas** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:59 pm

Bummer, mon. It's a great service you've provided, Brad. Too bad the scam artists have to ruin it for everybody.

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:40 pm

Damn Scam Artists. The decision is understanable hopefully C&F, Wooden Flute, Doc's Store, etc. will be enough for anyone with a severe case of FAD.

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:03 pm

Thanks for all you've done Brad. Still the best flute site on the web even without the exchange. Keep up the good work.

Doc

Post by **Dale** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:44 pm

Jeepers. This is really too bad.

I know you're not exactly retiring, Brad, but no better time to note how much you have contributed to the flute-playing community. You're a class act.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 pm

Dale wrote:Jeepers. This is really too bad.

I know you're not exactly retiring, Brad, but no better time to note how much you have contributed to the flute-playing community. You're a class act.

Agreed.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:15 am

ditto. Thanks for your effort. Much appreciated.

Sylvester · Post by **Sylvester** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:13 am

What Dale said.

Sorry to read that. Thanks for your constant info supply.

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:02 am

Brad, I really admire you. Thanks for your wonderful contribution to flutedom!

M

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:28 am

Sorry to hear it, Brad, but it is the responsible thing to.

I blame your website for my descent into madness, err, I mean I commend your website for guiding me to becoming a well-rounded flute player.

Cheers,
Aaron

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:41 am

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

The good news of course is that there are plenty of other places to buy and sell flutes, so removing the exchange isn't a big deal...Doc Jones is doing a great job with his Irish Flute Store and collector/dealers such as David Migoya can fill the gap as well...plus there's always eBay

-Brad

cquick · Post by **cquick** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:53 am

I know why you are closing down but it really is a loss

Thanks for your work and I know that I will miss it

Chuck

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:18 pm

Chuck!!! Where have you been man???

Loren

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Closing the Wooden Flute Exchange

Closing the Wooden Flute Exchange

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