hey everyone I am trying to decide which flat iron I want to purchase. I have mostly done some research at folica.com, flatironreviews.com, makeupalley.com and amazon.com to read people's reviews. The two flat irons that interest me are the sedu or FHI. I would have added solia in there too, but the self adjusting plates freak me out, knowing myself I would probably end up breaking those,lol, also from the pics it doesn't look as those it would REALLY straighten my hair. Anyway now I am trying to figure out which (out of the two) are the best. The sedu is REALLY expensive I did the math and it would cost me anywhere from 170-180 canadian dollars, whereas the FHI would cost me anywhere from 65-80 dollars canadian (through ebay). My only problem is quality. I read that FHI used "fused" ceramic I don't know what that is. Also I haven't seen alot of before and after pics (maybe about 2) for FHI. The FHI I am interested in getting has a fixed setting of 410 degrees farenheit(sp?). I have seen TONS of before and after pics for the sedu flat iron. The highest temperature is also 410 farenheit. I really liked how smooth the hair looked. Now this is what I am looking for as results: smooth, flat, FLEXIBLE hair with really SMOOTH edges, and I also don't want my hair to smell like metal, and I would also like for my hair to withstand humidity and possibly even rain. Other flat irons I have used with failed results include: conair steam flat iron (white), and conair "ceramic" flat iron. Flat irons I used with weak mediocre success(meaning they got the job done,lol) were: gold n hot ceramic 2 inch flat iron and gold n hot flat iron with the grip handle. Also I used to have the gold n hot ceramic stove heater with the marcel curling iron(never got around to buying the marcel flat iron lol). Anyway the problem with the gold n hot was that my hair ended up smelling like metal, my hair would revert back from sweat(humidity) or rain, and my hair was STIFF with no movement,lol. I really didn't like my gold n hot tools. This leads me back here trying to figure out which to buy. I want a quality flat iron that will last for at least 2 years. I have to keep in mind that I don't have alot of money right now, so I basically have to use some of my savings. My hair is relaxed(despite not having my hair relaxed in over a year) wavy and thick. If anyone has any suggestions or maybe had any good or bad experiences with the sedu or FHI could you please tell me it would be much appreciated.

Thanks   

Oh BTW the their are a few things that concern me with both flat irons. With the sedu: the plates gets REALLY hot, which means that I can't touch them when straightening my hair, which I am REALLY used to doing. With the FHI: I read one review were the person said a bump formed on her FHI just after 7 months, and another review the person said it was a really good flat iron exept there is a screw that kept snatching her hair out when straightening her hair. Also I have never bought anything through ebay, how do I know the seller will honour their warranty? how do I know the seller is selling a fake? I guess if it was a business I was buying from (i.e. folica) I would feel a little better, but if I buy a FHI @ folica it would cost me 125-135 canadian.

Personally, I think tht you should buy your iron (whichever one you get) through Folica.  They have a warranty that they stand behind.  With eBay, you're at the mercy of the seller, assuming you can even get in touch with them after the sale.  And flat irons have a bad habit of breaking at very inconvenient times.  The higher price from Folica is an insurance measure, but one that I have been grateful for when my Solia's plates began to chip.

Oh, incidentally, if you plan to use your iron at 410F, I wouldn't recommend "clamping" the tip of it together while flatironing anyway - bake bake bake!

Thanks Nita81, I will look into Maxiglide. 2 flat irons for that price is good(which would be about 180 canadian including shipping charges). Thank you both for the advice and warnings for ebay. I don't think I could have been able to go through with buying something through ebay. Too bad folica isn't a brick and mortar store as opposed to being an online shopping site.

lol nita81 I didn't know how to convert currency either then I found out you can just use a currency calculator or currency converter online.

CrazyHairGurl wrote: lol pokahontas, I heard good things about the maxiglide too, the thing is I heard it was only good for natural hair and not relaxed hair.

I don't know for sure but I would just assume that if naturally tightly curled hair can get straight using it then relaxed hair would have no problem.  Maybe some relaxed ladies will chime in that have used it, but either way it's up to you which one you choose.  I know it is a really hard decision.  I got myself all confused trying to decide.