I just bought a Juki TL-2010Q online, from a dealer in California. Got a fabulous deal, LOVE my new machine so much that I'm saving up to get another Juki, one with all the fancy stitches. There is no Juki dealer within miles and miles of me, so the only way I could buy it was online and have it shipped. And the same store I bought it from in California also sells the same machines on Amazon, which is why I don't believe your dealer's story... sorry!
Edited to add: By the way, I was able to buy a "show model" from the dealer. Apparently they were vendors at a show out on the West coast, and were selling off the machines that didn't go at the event. I got a super deal, a new in the box machine with full warranty. So be sure to check out that possibility if you do decide to buy online.