i live in south Orange County, which explains the high price (on everything - even our thrift stores are comparatively pricey). yeah, i almost had a heart attack when they quoted me over the phone.

i'm taking the machine back today and will try to do some surgery on it by stealing parts from my mother's Elnasuper, which she never uses (they bought a Husqvarna a few years ago). If that fails, i will have her take it into her repair shop to get a quote. she lives an hour inland from me, so everything tends to be less expensive.