I agree, you did not pay too much. The problem with Ebay is you can't play the horn before you buy, and it's hard to tell what problems you might end up with, so the horns sell for less on Ebay. A good technician is good advice as well. Did the band instructor play the horn when he looked at it? (I realize "looked at" can mean different things...) The technician can also check the response of the keys, and see if other adjustments need to be made to make sure the horn is in its best playing condition. Also, be sure to impress upon your son that a saxophone is not a toy, it is not indestructable, and it is not easily replaced. Good new saxophones are several thousand dollars at a minimum. Even some vintage horns sell for several thousand. Even if he does upgrade to an even better horn when he reaches highschool or college, he may want to keep the Buescher for outside use, such as marching band, or things like pep band, where balls can come flying into the band! I believe many vintage horns are actually worth more than anyone pays for them.