I bought my Elna at a show--dealer was local, so they had me pick it up at the store so I'd get a lesson or two and also so they could give me the cover, etc that went with it. But some shows will let you buy the class machines and are prepared to have you take them home at end of show. Yes--I got $500 of mine and know from other shows that the savings are pretty great. Especially class machines which can no longer be considered "new".