It shouldn't be any different, the dealer usually offers free classes, and warranty service which to me is pointless on a cheap machine. if I pay less than 200 on a machine and it breaks which none of mine have in the past 8 years I will just buy another one cheaper than paying to have it serviced IMHO you get what you pay for or can afford. I have had a refurbished cheap machine online since 2005, and my walmart cheap is a couple years old. If you are paying 500 and over I would go with a dealer, anything under that can be bought online is not worth it at the dealer IMHO. I have only bought my expensive machines from a dealer because if they malfunction it will be cheaper to fix than replace.