Save your money…..that is your only option..if you want a good pole,they are not cheap,but is an investment and a good one..and make sure you get the one you want,size 45mm or 50mm and finish chrome or brass/titanium gold…due your research..that is what I am doing now..I have only worked with brass,and used a chrome pole the other day,but didn’t really like it,so am kind of at square one..so glad I didn’t buy one yet..now I have to go to this other studio in town that has brass(so they claim,because the company does not sell brass poles in the us) and try them to see if I like them and see exactly what poles they are..honestly,you are prob better off buying from the company that way if something goes wrong,you have a reciept and a warranty..and you are not going to save much money buying off craigslist or ebay and you never know if something is wrong with the pole…just save ur pennies and wait..I know it sucks to hear, I am having to save too and wait,but you will be glad when you have that shiny pole that doesn’t fall down…