I will dump in my 2 cents worth.
I'm tight when it comes to $$$ on new stuff.
I buy used cars and get all the goody out.
Both our Whitfields were used when we got them.
Paid $200 each and one came with pipe and the hearth pad too.
Back in 93 we bought two new Quadrafire 1000 stoves and they are still here today.
The used Whits are great and serve well.
Have you checked out the used market ??
Age means little, condition is everything.
If the cabinet/chassis is in good shape, even if it needs a fresh paint job, and the firebox, grate and heat tubes are good, then the rest is all basic.
A good used stove will provide a far faster return on your investment than a new one at $4K
Even if you need to do a little work on it, such as a bearing or two and maybe a fan or feed motor, or worst case scenario, a control board, used can be a bigggggggggggggggggggggggg savings.
Truth is, most pellet stoves are not used full time, but instead as an instrument of ambiance and decoration.
Yessssssss, those of us here at the forum are die hard, hard core pellet stove freeks, and run ours 24/7 during the heating season, but by far, many stoves get used very little.
People get caught up in the idea of a pellet stove, then they have to clean it, and the misus gets all butthurt because of the ashes on the WHITE CARPET
Yada yada yada and then the Widdle stove winds up at the next garage sale or on Craigs list.
People move and the new owners are scared to death of anything that has a
in it (that they can see)
The reasons are endless.
Consider a used one maybe.
Just some thoughts
Snowy