would like to purchase a cheapo but decent left handed electric to fool around with..suggestions? links?

If you've never played before, do yourself a favor and get a right handed guitar.  It will be just as perplexing to learn but in the end you wil be able to use 90%+ of the guitars in the world.  As far as what guitar to get it all depends on your budget.  A $200-$300 Squire or Epiphone would be a good area to start but there are many options beyond those.

Schecter makes most models in lefty.  Here is a budget friendly model:

https://www.schecterguitars.com/guitars/deluxe/c-6-deluxe-lh-satin-black-detail

thank you

Buy whatever you are comfortable with plunking down the $$ for and never seeing the $$ again.

Even if you buy a brand name guitar, the resale value
is a moot point unless you find another lefty.

I forced myself to learn how to play bass right handed even though I had learned to play guitar mediocrely left handed as a kid.

I never felt entirely comfortable with my skills picking, plucking, slapping, or strumming right handed on the bass but more than made up for it with hammer-ons and pull-offs with my left hand.

A few years ago I bought a POS telecaster knock off on flea bay, left-handed,¹ and was shocked at how much more confident I felt with my rhythm and timing right off the bat.  Without having to consciously focus on them.

If you buy a POS guitar don't take it to your local music store and ask them to do a set up.
They'll just do a half assed job and tell you the problem is with the guitar.
Find an independent instructor and take a few lessons, if there really are any problems with your guitar, if they are worth a crap, they will help you fix them.
(They want you to keep playing and paying for their lessons.)

YMMV