Ok, here's my 'spanner in the works'

I own Harrison rods and a couple of well pimped Free Spirits (Hi S SU), but my favourite rods by far (got 5 rigged) are Nash 'The Specialist' (barbel) Tri-Tips. I've paid between £50 and £80 a piece to them. They are 'hen's teeth' in availability now, but they'd be 100% my 'rod of choice'... without question.
That said my advice would be, first decide exactly what you want from the rod(s) : where they'll be used, what style of fishing, what you're likely to catch, what action you prefer, what tc, single/twin/twin+quiver (quiver for barbel :O ) etc. To me handle length is important ... I don't want more than an inch of butt behind my elbow, it's a waste of rod length unless you're casting over 25m IMO. Then there's handle material, number of line guide legs (and lining material : ok for braid?) When you've decided on all this then visit a shop and try to get the ok to run some line through a few models and decide which 'feels' right to you. It's a personal thing.
Lastly, take you time ... don't rush into buying something that you feel is 2nd or 3rd best. Maybe wait 'til after Christmas, you may have a bit more cash to spend, and more 2nd hand rods will be on the market. A second-hand 1st choice is MUCH better than a 2nd choice new rod.