[omowasu]

I would get a BGE before any Chinese made Kamado. Some of the Chinese makes are prone to cracking, and all of the Chinese made units are likely coming from two or three factories and just getting rebadged.

There are a couple ways to get a great deal on a BGE - Sometimes you can find lightly used or demo models on eBay and CL. Many of these will include stands and parts so you wont get nickle and dimed (which I also hate and agree with on the BGE).

Also, BGE has a warehouse event once per year where you can get an absolute steal of a deal on a BGE if you are willing to travel there. A friend of mine has two BGEs and goes to their annual event, he purchased his second unit there.