I recently went to see my first long arm "in person". The lady told me (in GA) that when she got her LA that she thought she could get customers. However, she told me that in her area, there seem to be many others, so she hasn't had much business.
So, if you really need the customers in order to pay for the machine, make sure you do your homework. Otherwise, just keep saving til you don't and enjoy your machine for yourself and your gifts.