I've had a 20-ga Youth Model Pardner pump for a few months now. No problems. Quality is about that of the Mossberg 500. Paid $159 at Wal-Mart; they had a fullsize Pardner, noncamo, 12-ga for $209 for sale at the same time. The camo version should be a few bucks more expensive.
If you can get your buddy's gun for around $200, go for it.
The return address on the box is Remington, my gun is stamped Made in China.