I was shipped "Upgraded Welder"

[zoama]

Thanks for your thoughts. I didn't want to be dishonest and instead let both Everlast and their distributor choose to stand by me. With Everlast being a foreign company, I seen the form letter explaining that they were out of a machine and sending me this "upgrade" as just the way they are handling order fulfillment. I would not have tried the machine if that letter hadn't accompanied the machine and also talking to Everlast.

Everlast is NOT a "foreign company". The machines are assembled in China from parts that come from other countries... just like most other welders, including the ones you may think are "made in the USA". I believe big blue has four factories in China.