I agree. Its not worth the savings if the bar is unusable after you put 3 plates on it. You can skimp on benches, and get cheaper plates without too much trouble, but a cheap bar will snap on you if you load it up enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Fitness-The-Bar/dp/B00DHHJNIS/ref=sr_1_8?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1400686909&sr=1-8&keywords=barbell

This should be better.

Edit:

Also, how set are you on exclusively using amazon?

You can get some really good shit used. If it feels solid, then it probably is. Age doesn't necessarily matter.