I wouldn't rely on ebay for the bulk of your equipment purchases. However, ebay is a great place to get wireless flash triggers. My current favorite is the CTR-301. They're fairly well built (better than the Cactus V2s), and ingeniously designed. With them, you don't need any cables to connect your flashes to the receiver. You simply slide the flash into the receiver's hot shoe, then mount the receiver to your umbrella swivel. My previous recommendation was to buy the new Cactus V4, however, the first reports I've seen on them aren't terribly comforting. The reliability of the triggering doesn't seem to be nearly as good I would like. So for the money, the CTR-301 set is my current affordable choice.
Now, as far as flashes go, there are tons to choose from. I personally use 2 pre-owned Vivitar 285HVs that I bought off of ebay, and I bought one 285HV new. The only one I had malfunction was the 285HV I bought new (there was a rash of bad units before the Vivitar flash division was sold/went under). That's why I suggest either buying used ones on ebay or buying new units from MPEX because they usually test the flashes before sending them out. That said, there are plenty of other flashes that are relatively cheap and have manual controls:
2) <span class="bodyTextBold"]<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4721.html"]
LumoPro LP632 Umbrella Swivels (http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,12311.html]Lumopro LP120[/url]
Cactus KF36 (basically a re-branded 285HV)
Vivitar DF400MZ
When it comes to lightstands, the best lightstand for your money would probably be the Lumopro LP606. I've had several stands, however, this one is the best I've ever used for the little I paid for it. MPEX actually sent it to me by mistake, and I insisted on keeping it after I got it out of the box. In fact, I purchased my 3rd one not too long ago, and I couldn't be happier with all three. That said, they're out of stock quite often. That's why I recommended the Impact ones listed below. Word of caution--I've never used the Impact stands, so I cannot attest to their quality. They might be awful, but they'll get you started and get the job done (most likely).
This is what I recommended to Colin (I've updated a few recommendations):
(2) Vivitar 285HVs x $90
(2) Impact Air-Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stands - 9.5' x $39
(<span style="text-decoration: line-through;) x $17
(2) <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4643.html"]
Westcott 43" Collapsible Umbrella White Satin (http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4722.html]LumoPro LP634 Umbrella Swivels[/url] x $20 (have to use these with the CTR-301 receivers instead of swivels listed above)
(2) <span class="bodyTextBold) x $20
<span style="text-decoration: line-through;"](1) (1) Cactus Wireless Flash Receiver V4 (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17204&cat=0&page=1]Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4 x $40
<span style="text-decoration: line-through;) x $24
(1) <span class="ebay"] Wireless Flash Trigger 3 Receiver CTR-301 P w/ PC Cable ("http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-3-Receiver-CTR-301-P-w-PC-Cable_W0QQitemZ150334751349QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPort able_Flashes_Strobes?hash=item150334751349&_trksid =p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A 12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294 %3A50) x $60
All that together comes out to about $400. That would give you two
light sources, one for the mainlight and then another for fill (or else
a background light). I listed the wireless trigger set with three receivers instead of two so that you'd have a backup should something happen. Depending on how much you'll be shooting, I'd
recommend a couple of sets of backup batteries per flash. Other than
that, I think you'd do fine with this. You might want to pick up a couple of sets of gels ("http://www.photogels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_ id=14) (colored plastic to change the color of your flash).