You will want to try and find out if the instrument has been well maintained or if it has just been lying around collecting dust. Here are some reasons why -

1. Getting a saxophone refurbished is not likely to be cheap.

2. If the item hasn't been well looked after, then you could end up with worn pads or even worse - damage such as denting which could permanently affect the quality of sound.

3. If the saxophone does not produce the finest quality of sound, then this aspect can interfere severely with the learning process.

It's also a good idea to become familiar with the different prices that different saxophones command. There are different kinds of finish to certain saxophones (colored or patterned) and this can make the item more expensive.

There are also some budget saxophones available that have been manufactured in China, for example. If budget price is a priority, then it may be worth taking this route. But if quality of sound is paramount, then a budget saxophone is not recommended.

Some good reasons for choosing to purchase a brand new saxophone are -

1. A perfect, brand new saxophone is much more likely to produce a perfect sound.

2. A new instrument is going to have been created using the latest techniques and the mechanisms of the instrument are going to be more robust and of a better design.

3. By buying brand new from an online store you can achieve greater peace of mind by receiving a warranty and a good returns policy.

The time spent doing a little learning online before making the purchase is probably time well spent. There is a lot of good information out there that can be found simply by searching google. A saxophone is a complicated piece of equipment and anything that goes wrong with it is likely to impact the quality of the sound that it produces, so be careful when making your choice and enjoy your beautiful new saxophone!