Please read, “How shakuhachi are priced and valued” for specific information on shakuhachi pricing.
A reasonable auditioning period should be offered in which someone with more experience like a shakuhachi teacher can test the instrument(s) out. It’s typically best to acquire a shakuhachi through ones teacher when possible. It’s also ideal to buy shakuhachi from makers or sellers who actually understand what an authentic shakuhachi is and have tested the instrument they’re selling. This is because of the fact that, unlike many instrument, you cannot usually see the flaws of a shakuhachi. A flute may have five finger-holes and a root-end but these are little indication if even the most basic notes will work. An incorrectly made shakuhachi would be like a piano missing keys.