For the prospective buyer of a new accordion, the task can be difficult. Because the established, older brands are expensive and there are so many to choose from in the under $500 category! Guess what, the difference is in the handcrafting of the instruments, reeds and machined parts. Italian-made, as well as German ones are widely considered to be the best available, along with fully hand-made instruments from various countries, including the U.S. But, since the accordion's popularity seems to be on the rise, the Chinese have gotten into the game and have made their own brand of instruments (many with Italian sounding names) and are exporting them into the U.S. by the thousands--to be bought by anybody who will have them...that is to say, anyone not knowing the difference between quality and well......junk! For example, try blowing a chinese-made harmonica and compare its sound to a German-made harmonica--HUGE DIFFERENCE! And the difference will not only be in the sound, but in the tuning and its playability. The Chinese instruments simply don't compare. Hohner, who is known for producing quality instruments in Germany, has decided to offer a line of lower priced accordions...they are made in China, sold as Hohners, but most have rattling keys and significantly poor playability. The most obvious weakness in a Chinese-made accordion, is weak volume and that is a BIG minus! When shopping, before bidding, email and ask the seller if the accordion says "Made in Germany" imprinted on it? If it does not, and is a new instrument, chances are, it has been made in China. 99% of the new accordions, piano type as well as button type, that are listed on EBay for under $200, are made in China. Even some instruments that include several registers and have many extra features and are listed as "NEW" but sell for under $500, are made in China. Don't buy one unless you are willing to keep it forever, because it is guaranteed to NEVER have any resale value. In short, ask the seller WHERE it is made before bidding on an accordion. Next, in the case of a used accordion, ask where the visible signs of "wear" are, worn bellows folds, cracks in the box, air leakage and excessively worn leather straps. Buying a musical instrument, without being able to play it will always be a risk, but a buyer can help to minimize disapointment with a couple of knowledgeable questions in advance of purchase-the most important being "IS IT MADE IN CHINA?!" On the other hand, just try to find a pair of athletic shoes that ARE NOT made somewhere in China!! Good Luck!