I was actually about to make a very similar post. Great minds think alike!
I am starting out soonish, and I am trying to get an idea of what I will be needing, and paying attention to prices. A friend of a friend wants to sell me her table; it was originally $700 and she's asking $350. A friend of mine who started MT about 2 years ago said that it is a good table, but since I am just starting out, I don't need one that nice. She then sent me to a link for one on Amazon, let me grab the link
This one has a built-in heating pad which sounded pretty fancy to me. At $265 that seems like a pretty good price, right? Again, I am not even in my first class yet, so what do I know. Just trying to help! :)