My advice
Never pay retail. Everything on a door to door machine is negotiable. You can easily have a new Kirby for around $1k. Rainbow is harder to deals with due to their sales structure.
Don't forget you can get great deals on eBay. Just remember the warranty may not be honored if you didn't purchase from a dealer. You would have to weigh out if your saving could justify a self paid repair if a breakdown occurs. In most cases it would.
Best time to buy is the last week, or even last few days of the month, when dealers are trying to meet quota. Many times they will forgo commission to move a machine as that machine may make them a bonus.