MPSpeedy - are you talking about Mr. Zimmerman at Hinkeltown in PA? From what I have been told, he is one of the largest Bernina dealers in the World. So, he is able make deals that smaller dealers are not.
When I bought by Artista 630 (which I love, love), there were people in my class from Washington,DC, Maryland and upstate NY. I met a vendor from Texas at a quilt show and she was going to buy an 830 from him. A long way to travel!