Heck, I didn't even think to mention that. I did that a few times with mine in the past & was able to pay myself back with a good interest rate & no debt load additionally incurred. I would really hit your local Miller distributor up if you have cash, they're halfway cool & don't mind throwing you a bone. They may be willing to turn you on to their local rep & hook you up with a good price on a demo machine, or at least know where something for a super price could be found (if you want to go that route). Those reps CAN cut deals & I've seen it firsthand. Money talks & they want you in a Blue machine! Especially a $10,000+++ MSRP machine!  I have had only limited experience with the local Lincoln reps ( NOT knocking Lincoln) & they weren't really even competitive (or willing to be) in a reasonable price range for a low hour school or demo unit. Not to mention I got a nasty look from one because I have a Miller sticker on the window of my truck. If he would have walked around to the other side, he would have seen the big Lincoln Electric sticker on the opposite window. Get over it, dude! They were maybe a few hundred at BEST below what I could get it brand new for at the local Independent distributor! When we had BOC, Linde & Airgas here in town, none were really willing to do much for me when I was looking for a demo unit at one time, because they weren't going to get their 10-35+% Industrial Retail markup on the product. I have stuck with independent guys (Purity Cylinders), because they have been the best to me thus far. Especially for their service above all else, not just a good price.

Sorry, but I'm NOT an Airgas guy & most experience I've had with them is that of a monopolizing company trying to cut the independents totally out of the picture. Sorry, but that's been my experience & if the local Airgas guys are good to you, my hat's off to them. Only reason I said this is because we have only really one independent distributor here in Lansing, MI & they have been golden to me. They know they aren't going to really make anything off a demo unit direct from a rep, but they take care of their good customers. Just like it should be. Not just out to get a commission, or make a high percentage retail sale. It seemed like the few times I tried to deal with Airgas, I got the top tier pricing quoted to me & had to haggle to get anything reasonable out of them. I'm NOT the only one to tell that story with the local store here either. Most retail Industrial businesses have several "tiers" or levels of pricing, depending if you are just a clueless schmuck walking in off the street or a huge, discounted industrial account. The last time I went into the Airgas store quite a few years ago, they tried to stick it to me for $75 for a 40# spool of .035 copper coated MIG wire. He said steel had went up a lot. Well.....It hasn't gone up THAT much, & I didn't just fall off the scaffolding yesterday. I never went back.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Give your local guys a shot, maybe you can get something you want for reasonable, or just go the 100% new route. Best of luck on it! S.W.