I would stay away from Microsoft Force Feedback sticks. I have three of them and have the Force Feedback turned off. So does Pooka and APHill. Also the sticks you are looking at, are very old and the pots are likely all worn out.
I would buy a refurbished Satiek directly from the manufacturer.
http://saitekusa.stores.yahoo.net/recprod.html
At $69.95 you can't go wrong. And if his tastes are a bit less expensive, they have some other good choices.