If you are going to buy a used saxophone, I suggest you insist on the options to return the instrument if it proves unsatisfactory. Have someone knowledgeable check it out for you.
There are excellent buys available for a used saxophone. Don't worry about the lacquer (how shiny it is).
Are there many dents? Do the keys rattle when you finger them?
Look down the inside of the bore (inside the saxophone with the neck off) - does it look like a perfect cone, or does it seem to veer off to one side? (if so, it was probably dropped, not a good bet to buy).
Look at the pads, are they supple or dried out and tough?
These are general suggestions - some saxophones for the right price are well worth fixing up!