Where should I buy an espresso machine?

You can get them at places like sears, bed bath and beyond, williams sonoma, sur la table or online from places like amazon.

I recommend a PUMP style with at least 10-15 "bars" of pressure.

Good brands are krups, gaggia, nespresso and belive it or not di longhi.

If you check out amazon, you can find good pics, product descritions, customer reviews. Find one you like, then search the net for the best price. I'm using a krups espresso novo right now and like it alot.

150-400 is a very good price range to be in

Does your budget include a grinder?

For real, good espresso, you need fresh ground beans (pre-ground isn't good - it's stale), and the grinder must be able to make very fine, even grounds. For your price range I would look at a stove-top Moka pot ($50-100) and a decent grinder ($100), It's less expensive, less temperamental, and easier to clean/maintain than an espresso machine.

Moka pots are what Italians use for their daily espresso (just had some) and it doesn't need a fine grind (regular will do. The second link shows the one I use.

There are several online companies that sell them. Most if not all the upper end stores as you mentioned sell them at there stores or will ship then too you and I think you can buy a pretty decent one for about $100 dollars.

Im not quite sure what to make of your question about customer service though. If your looking for someone to travel to your house deliver it, set it up, show you how to use it, call and have them come and fix it for about $40 an hour+parts+travel I guess maybe you could buy one from a professional company and expect to pay $400 dollars for it. Don't dis-count the quality these stores offer. They are the same major names and the same major quality.

much less high priced device can help on the instantaneous, yet now no longer in long term. Your are questioning as investment, be certain the mechanism till now make investments. do now no longer settle on for different decision espresso device.

your local food equipment stroe should have several options. Try Sur La Table or williams sonoma. I can usually find anything there. If not, you could try your local restaurant supply store