Just my two cents regarding design cards...they are VERY expensive and most of the time there's only a few designs on each card you will actually use.
The Amazing Box or Vikant Ultimate Box are a much better investment as they allow you to buy designs from the large number of internet sites and ebay sellers that are now selling designs or download the many free designs available online. The designs sold online are usually much less expensive than the cards, and the variety is endless.
Through the box you write the designs to the blank card that comes with it, and then put that card in the slot on the side of your machine. The card can be erased and rewritten over and over whenever you want to change the designs.
Allbrands is likely to be less expensive than your dealer, I'd definitely look online for the hoops and a box. Check ebay as well, there's a lot of embroidery supplies available there.