Maybe it's because I grew up in Alaska and have lived fairly remote -- some of us don't have much of a choice or any dealers near us, I'd rather have the machine I want than pick another brand just because they have a local storefront.
Now that I live in town, I really prefer dealing with the repair guy at the Viking shop. I was given a Bernina which is a different shop and I really don't like their attitude over there as much. Hadn't been there for a number of years and the Bernina needed a repair, they were better but I still like my other guy so next time I'll use him.