Another Splitter bargain

I was over at the Grizzly retail outlet today and found they have an in-store special on these: http://www.grizzly.com/products/22-Ton-Hydraulic-Log-Splitter/G0639

$795. In store only.

The problem is, I went in to their "scratch and dent" room to look for a jointer, and there is a good buy on an 8" with 72" bed. Perhaps if I tell my wife they were throwing in a free jointer for every splitter bought at regular price....

Doesn't look like it will go vertical. No way I'd buy one that will not do vertical, no matter the sale price.

Personally , I think that I would pass . There's nothing about that machine that says it would last more than 4-5 years at best .
It's most likely a Chinese splitter with little or no back up when it fails . Even if it went vertical , it'd come with a cheap knock off milk crate to sit on !

Yes, it does vertical and horizontal. I remember looking at these several years ago when they first started carrying them. Given that it carries the Grizzly brand name it is almost certainly Chinese w/B&S engine. It appears identical to one Northern Tool had under their house brand at the time. It also appears to be the same as the Steele SP-LS22; in which case Sears has parts. I do know a guy who has had one for four years and he says it has been great. With even used Troy-builts being snapped up around here at $800 I must say I am strongly tempted.

Frankly, my bigger problem is the same as always - do I want another gas motor sitting around 11 1/2 months a year just to split 2 1/2 to three cords of firewood? I doubt that I spend more than 15 hours a year splitting by hand now.