Hi & Welcome to the wonderful world of machine embroidery. It has become one of my favorite hobbies of all time. Here are some suggestions. I would not want to do business with someone who down talked my machine...how unprofessional.
You want a dealer that offers support and classes. Our LQS teaches machine classes for free.
Visit the stores again and get scheduled for a demo or two. Look on-line at the machine sites. Lots of reviews available. Do you have a local guild to ask the members about their machines?
I visited the same dealer 3 times before deciding. I started with the BL Spirit (embroidery only), then the Crescendo (sewing only in a couple of years. Later the Ovation serger and then the Dream. In 5 years with these machines no issues.