how much should I spend to get a better turntable than my current turntable?

OP,

I found that buying my significant other an expensive present before upgrading a component on my audio system was the key. 
 

Over the last 36 years, this has enabled her to get a great home theater she loves (thank god she does not like jewelry) while building my system. Not much she can say when I think of her first. 

It arrived (!) Fluance RT85

My first impressions:

I set it up as described. The antiskating is not working, neither the counterbalance. If I set it to the prescribed values, the needle just skips and runs. So that must be my learning curve, now I have more appreciation for mmf. I asked another family member to start from scratch, read the manual, set it up, same result.

Also, the adjustable feet don’t adjust. They just don’t turn.

So I will figure out the proper setup.

The next issue is the plastic cover and the black piano surface. The cover has scratches on it from my fingers. Permanent, visible scratches. I was so careful I didn’t breathe when I touched it.

The black surface looks like will have scratch marks on it if I just look at it too long. It seems very impractical for the benefit of well.... not looking that great. I mean it looks OK, but nothing spectacular. But now I understand that practical beats pretty. I don’t want to freak out every time I swap albums and something falls out from my shirt pocket.

Anyway, maybe it will grow on me. It looks like a decent and solid design aside from the tonearm (maybe I read too much about it) being/feeling somewhat mediocre.

If it sounds good, I will forget about these issues and adjust, we must please our gadgets :)

What you’re describing is a product of turntable not being perfectly level, antiskate is not properly set and VTF isn’t right.

First and foremost, make sure the table is level - remove the cover, use adjustable feet or coins under the feet and check that it’s perfectly level using a bubble level. Only then set antiskate and VTF (use digital stylus force gauge for VTF). Check it all and test it. Play your records without the cover on the turntable. The cover is there to keep the dust away and not for using when playing records.
Second - the black lacquer finish is susceptible to scratches. Use soft microfiber cloth to keep it clean but there’s no way around it, you’ll get swirl marks and light scratches. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Get the set up right.

@audphile1 I did level it. That's the only thing I got right. 

If I am supposed to play records without the cover, why didn't they come up with an easier way to take it off?

Why…is it too difficult to remove the cover? Should just slide into and out of the mounts on the back.