Im just a rookie bike rider, i have an 8 ball cruiser which i love riding around the beach but want to get a folding mountain bike for day trips and the odd weekend trips as well as more workout rides. Price wise im looking around $500-$800. As long as gears and brakes work i dont care if its high end, etc. Priority wise, Folding, price. Ive looked at Montague Hummer folding bike (paratrooper) looks at the high end of my price and is what im looking for, has anyone bought the cheaper versions off ebay that retail around $300 plus $150 shipping? Thank you for your suggestions/reviews.

I'd be looking for a used Montague over a cheaper knockoff. There are also some Dahon 26" models which might work, as well.

I bought my Montague off Craig's List for $250. If you look for deals on used stuff, they are out there and you can see what you are getting. Buying a bike off Ebay is a headache if you need to send it back since the shipping is on you.

I strongly advise not purchasing any bike without taking a loooong test ride first.

It's more critical with a folding bike to verify not only that it fits you, but that the fold/unfold, features, and overall design meet your needs. Folding bikes have enough quirks and foibles. You might discover that a feature you thought was really neat turns out to be a dealbreaker because of poor implementation or design.

Finally, with any folding bike, spend some time carrying it in the folded state. Anything over 30 lb. gets to be a handful when you're trying to catch a train on a platform, for ex.

You have a cruiser, usually if you can store and transport one full size, you can do so with two. What's the problem you're hoping to solve with the folding solution in full size? When it's full sized, especially when looking for a more tighter budget solution, you might benefit more from another solution.
A good LBS, local bike shop will get it adjusted and include a year of free tune ups and better support, can make it worth the extra $50-200. However, I get if they can't get, don't have the folder of interest or only offer ones way out of your range, then I get how that can not pan out. Especially new to cycling, an LBS of good reputation can really grow your knowledge, community and provide a certain security.
Also, if you join a local coalition, or other cycling non profit organization, especially one with free classes, you might connect to a person that has or knows of someone with a folder, get up to 10% discount at your LBS, etc.
Unless its the ebay local pick up, so you can see it in person, where a return is an option, then I don't see the benefit. Sounds like a good way to end up dissatisfied. At least with craigslist, you can inspect and test before buying, even though it though there's monitoring, while waiting and a lot of junk. I kind of wondered about the Columba's on Amazon, but while better supported that still has its online shipping support and return headaches. Probably cheap for a reason. Even the evils of "big box" stores (Walmart, Sports Authority, REI, etc.) will have friendly return\warranty's, although not sure about them having a full sized MTB folder or not.

Where are you located?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA