[wheelbender6]

Most mainland Chinese scoots require some troubleshooting, so they probably will not work well for you, unless you have a mechanic friend.
Scooters from Taiwan like Genuine and Kymco cost more, but are more reliable. Taiwanese dealers are not easy to find outside of big metro areas.
You may find a used Japanese scooter at a local motorcycle dealer. You may find something like a used Yamaha Vino 125 for half of the new price.
I would avoid craigslist unless you a have a friend that works on motorcycles and is willing to look at some scooters for you. Craigslist is a good place for experienced scooter/motorcycle shoppers.
I think finding a used scooter at a Japanese motorcycle shop is probably best for you.