From my recent extensive research in a medium-size SCT, my advice is:
- research carefully what warranty is offered with the product, where you would have to send the item back to if there is a problem;
- research what customer service the shop offers; Do they know anything about the product.
While I am not defending the "higher priced" shops, there is usually a reason why they are a few hundreds dollars more than the cheaper stores, or put it another way, there is usually a reason why the cheaper shops are a few hundreds dollars cheaper.
I don't want to go down this old argument of local retailers, but I believe that after the exchange rate and other charges, our local shopfronts are offering reasonable prices.