hi.. i'm a big vinyl fanatic and been into this for a number of years now... i STILL use the very first turntables i ever bought - gemini xl-400s that i netted for $125 (canadian) with a needle... thats basically like 80 euro (for both). i've been completely satisfied with them - and if you aren't even going to really spin them, you definatly dont need more. spend the extra cash you save from not getting over-expensive super-hyped 1200s and buy QUALITY NEEDLES instead! i recommend ortofon concordes - the "nightclub" line, a misnomer if you ask me, is of good quality and can be somewhat affordable...
although if you plan on using it for some years then by all means, go with some 1200s - they are very well made (i just dont ever find that they're worth the $700 new, and used you save maybe a hundred, so whats the use)... of course, deals can be found everywhere if you hunt hard enough, and maybe in your area of the world the prices aren't so ridiculously hyped up... good luck!