if you buy a dud then it is only your self to blame

Yes and no.  It is a bit hard to inspect machines when you live in another state or in the country.  When you believe you are buying a machine from a reputable dealer you would like to think that what they tell you is the truth and you will get what you pay for.

To quote a customer of a Qld dealer, "The feeling I got from the (dealer) was like being treated like a cheap hooker and thrown away at the end of it.  I thought I would have been treated better, but he never seemed to care I'd bought a machine off him or like he wanted to get a return customer." 

Seeing as this thread is slowly going down the poop shoot, I will try to stop adding my 2 cents worth.  Happy to receive PMs to discuss further if needs be.