Wow, every town must have a carmudgeon like that. Our Janome dealer in town has two stores, so it doesn't matter which one you go to, you deal with the same guy. I don't want to say he's a crook, but he does have some questionable business practises.
Recently he sold a friend of mine a Horizon that was supposed to be "new." It didn't have a box, the acrylic table was scuffed and had a footprint on it, etc, etc. She called him and was told that it was Janome's policy that all machines had to be taken out of the box for inspection. She called Janome, and there is no such policy.
She then took her husband along to return that machine and demand a new one. Her new one came in a box with all the additions in pristine condition. But, she'll still have to deal with him for service.
When I originally bought my 6260, I had some problems with it and had to bring it in several times before he had it fixed. Each time he gave me a "loaner" while mine was in the shop. I eventually lost track of which was my machine and which was the shop loaner, but the one I kept has been a really good machine. I bought my Horizon from this same guy when they first came out. Thankfully, I dealt with his sales clerk and not him. But I'm hearing more and more horror stories about him. He even has a listing on the BBB's bad list now.
I've decided for me, it's worth it to take my machines to a different dealer even if I have to pay a bit extra for peace of mind.