O’K. I bought a monique flute on e-bay. It was a lot cheaper than the UK flutes and unfortunately I find that I was robbed. Description and everything all above board so had to pay for a service to be done to it. It hasn’t improved it and friend has lent me a very very old Armstrong to play. But I don’'t like it. My budget is excrutiatingly low so any suggestions for decent name beginners flutes as now I have sorted out disability aids to play a flute I want to play one. I’m just hoping I can get my money back for this flute by re selling it to a beginner. It’s in a beautiful condition but needs the new pads playing in etc. I just can’t get the lower notes needs to much air. I can get a few tunes from the borrowed armstrong but can’t keep it. 
My boehm is an Armstrong, and I really like it. I forgot how much exactly I paid for it. I got it on ebay, it was cheap because it has blemishes that make it ugly, but it plays.
I’m sorry, I know that didn’t help. 
Oh, and as far as what to avoid, I would stay away from any ‘ONE TIME OFFERS!!’ or ‘CLOSEOUT DEAL ON NEW STUDENT FLUTES!!!’ type offers, especially on eBay where you can’t try them out, and I would bid on flutes from individual people who mabey bought it new for their child to play, etc., and ask questions beforehand and make sure you can return it if you find it’s not as described, etc.
Selkie is it a concert flute that you specifically want? If not, you probably should contact our very own Alan who’ll make you a PVC flute for $US50. Alan’s flutes are very highly regarded.