i have the tin lizzie 18"-er. the machine comes alone, of course. the frame is a wood one (hinterberg) that comes flat with instructions. the poles are ones that you buy at your local home depot. because everything is shipped flat and assembled by you (or a paid assembler) at home, you can put it wherever you like, according to the length poles. i have chosen 10' poles. 120" is more than i will ever need. if necessary i will do a larger quilt or bedspread in 2 parts (highly unlikely). dh had no problem trying it out in several rooms and we decided on the basement, which was around a sharp corner, down a full flight of stairs, and around another sharp corner.
i don't understand why your guy would say that. there are so many machine/frame setups that fit through odd places. also, many quilters are buying for themselves, not to make money. a lot of setups are reasonable :?: in price (around $5 - 7000) not the really high prices that used to be the only choices. is he trying to prevent you from buying something that he doesn't sell or doesn't service?