It was $5115 plus tax, and with retailmenot.com coupon, I got a 50% discount on the service plan. The coupon won't work on the tractor, but will on other items bought from searsoutlet.com.
I definitely like the Snapper YT400, but this was less expensive, and included the hydraulic lift of attachments that I think will serve us well. At least there are several machines that really will be good on the hills. I'd lean toward a Snapper or Simplicity (just as this is a retagged Simplicity),for the automatic traction control plus the additional manual locking shift diff. Until I mowed, I didn't realize how much the automatic would help. Snapper and Simplicity are the same mgr, as you said, so whatever dealer is nearby for future service, and what price you pay, to me is the decider. My first impression from Craftsman is that their attachments are less expensive, so overall we'll pay less for more tractor. But, there is some risk with outlet models. This is claimed tobe a floor model with a few scratches, but when I got it home, I noticed some grass in a couple little spots. So, it has met some grass, and has gotten scratched up by a bad driver. It runs, though! That's what matters! Good luck!