I've been searching for an entry level "student" diatonic accordion for my god daughter who will be turning 7 this spring. The $20 plastic accordion toy won't cut it, while the Ariette-Type is too pricy and too big and heavy for a child...
I have found the equivalent appropriate student "keyboard" accordion (see link 1above), but is there anything around $100 for a button box that I could look at?

Find a little two voice, one row Hohner vienna. Small, light, and sounds great. I picked one up for $175 on ebay, it was like new condition.

There's one on the 'bay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOHNER-VIENNA_W0QQitemZ110207845418QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16218QQcmdZViewItem

Yeah, but you shouldn't have to pay $340 for it. Target a price around $200. Try www.ebay.co.uk as well. Many of the UK ebay items don't show on ebay proper.

My friend at www.kingfisherartmusic.com has a Hohner one row Vienna tuned in G for sale: price $245 G tuned vienna boxes are a bit hard to find, though maybe not the best to learn on.

The Hohner Vienna seems adequate, but beyond the budget I was looking for. I'd like to stay within $150 range. Bring it on - more ideas are welcome!

Keep looking and you may find a good Hohner Vienna for $150. Not impossible.

That being the case, why bother with stops at all?
( other than some think they need them to tune the reeds)

A few Quebec makers build boxes wide open, some with no stops at all, some with dunny stops

look for 2-row "bandmasters"... which are very small, lite, short bellows and with a strong sound. I have one that I really don't want to sell (it is perfect to throw into a suitcase)... but if all else fails for you I will consider it. But keep your eyes open... check 2-row accordians on ebay.

Somebody paid the $340 BIN price for that Vienna on ebay.