Having read this thread I'm struck by the variation in reviews. It almost sounds like different stores, stocks and personnel. I DO believe that more often it is the unhappy customer who writes a review; most of the happy ones just consider the good service they received as "business as expected". There are so many considerations to spending big bucks for a new machine that I'd want the opportunity to try out the item before making a large investment. If I'm going to do that I feel almost compelled to buy locally. I have no issue with buying from the internet but do feel that the vendor that provided the information used to make my decision deserves to get my business. If the price difference is substantial, I "might" consider buying online but certainly would wonder why and expect answer to why there is the major difference in price (other than the implicit differences in vendor cost between an internet only company and one having a retail building). Joyce in Delaware