What would be considered "a good deal" for a window air conditioning unit?

Question

I'm a poor college student looking or a quiet, unobtrusive unit or my small dorm room. It can be used, slightly dented, or missing a remote, but it has to work like a charm and be quiet to boot.

Before I start bidding crazily on ebay, I want to know what kind of prices I should hold out for.

Answer 1

I wouldn't buy an a/c unit on ebay.  No way.  Buy one from Walmart... then it'll be easy to take back if there's problems.

Answer 2

Check the stores first for returned items they will discount.  I bought my recent monster (25,000 btu) unit at 1/2 off for minor surface damage.

BTW a small 1 room unit in the 5,000-8,000 btu range should be fine and they go on sale at the home centers for around $100.  The shipping on an ebay unit will approach that.