I vote wood frames before pvc. We made a few pvc frames once....VERA absolutely destroyed them. One bad shot shatters pvc and can create lots if small plastic pieces to pick up. Cheap and easy stand? Grab some of those wire frames with the corrugated plastic signs...like politicians and realtors like to use. Hits to the wire can cause a little damage, but if you have a whole case of em...who cares?
Here's the stands, get the plastic and you're good to go.
http://www.signwarehouse.com/shop/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=SC&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SS-END-STAKE