New violins in this price range should be considered disposable and only a short term (one to two month) alternative to renting (most shops with rental programs don't offer such short term rentals, so for a parent considering violin lessons for a young child, the $50 might be a good alternative to being locked into a rental for a year). Most of the fittings are painted black or dyed, not ebony, and the setup is atrocious. Remember, a Glasser violin bow itself costs about $50...so a whole outfit for $50 must raise some red flags for you.
Also, in this price range, many retailers private label, often done at the distribution level...so you may see the same violin outfit for sale at several shops or online retailers with different names.
Bottom line...save your loot. Perhaps $200 to $300 can get you a decent violin that can carry you for about a year, and it is common for shops to buy back the instrument towards the purchase of an upgrade when you are ready.
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