i was in bj`s today and have been looking for a flute i found one it came with a shell case a hard case cleaning things and a music stand it is $179 has anyone ever heard of a first act flute and is it anygood i have been playing for 5 years.

I really can`t tell from your description, but if you`ve been playing for five years, trust your judgement. If it`s that cheap (less than a new student flute), I`d doubt its reliabitlity.

Gumdrop

Any flute that you buy at a wholesale club is probably not going to be the best instrument. Companies that market in highly-visible, non-instrument-specializing locations are usually preying on well-meaning parents buying their children a first instrument who have no idea how poor quality the instrument is and just buy the cheapest thing they can find.

First Act is a very low-quality manufacturer. I would also avoid any Bundy or Yamaha flutes (Yamahas are good but are tuned to a-442 rather than a-440 and will make it hard for you to play in an ensemble), and lower-level Artleys are to be avoided as well. Gemeinhardts made excellent lower-model flutes, as do several other companies.