What should i look out for buying a banjo?

i am trying to buy a banjo for my BF's birthday. he learned how to play his friend's banjo, but his friend moved. i dont really know anything about banjos but i dont want to get one of those like lame kit ones....cause as good as they are to learn, in the long run, they just arnt really good quality or somthing you feel you can play around you know, other banjo players. i am speaking from my basist/guitar standpoint.i dont want to go too expensive iether though. so any tips about how to spot good and bad, brand names, or stores would be fantasmic. i live in raleigh, NC if anyone knows any good places here