It's good to go ahead and get started on the pipes; one of the biggest complaints about newbies is that they can't tune or blow steady, and that's because they spent a year plus exclusively on a practice chanter, and were put on pipes only as an afterthought.
On the other hand, you don't need to be rushed when purchasing your first set of pipes, especially if you're looking for a deal on a used set. Get the best you can reasonably afford; you'll only have to buy them once, they'll be easier to learn on and play, and they'll retain their resale value. Do not under any circumstances buy a cheap **** set; it's hard enough to learn to pipe on a good set of pipes, much less on a congenitally out-of-tune, leaky, wonky set of balsa wood that would drive an experienced piper crazy.
The "Trading Post" on Bob Dunsire's Bagpipe Forum is a good place to keep an eye out for used pipes, but before plonking any money down you'd do best to discuss it with your tutor.
My preference is McCallum's; The Piper's Hut has AB1's for $950.00.