id also look on craigslist or facebook selling pages. I picked up a sweet excalibur magnum crossbow 2 years ago, with cocking device (not the rope but the actual unit you hook to the back stock and crank), quiver scope and target for $350....probably was close to 1000 new. Any used excalibur, tenpoint, etc would probably be better than an entry level xbow...just have to look them over and judge the wear.