To look at it from a different perspective, the sale price of a tractor would normally include the dealer prep work, in fact I don't believe you can purchase a new Case, New Holland, Cat, JD, etc., without it. Nor can you purchase one of the aforementioned tractors from anyone but an authorized dealer. Almost all authorized dealers have well equipped shops which requires considerable capital expenditure, and most all authorized dealers have parts departments with sizable investment in stock parts. And the last time I checked I couldn't find any first-rate mechanics, welders, secretaries, parts managers, or GM's that would work for free for very long - and I don't blame them a bit - ya gotta eat and pay the bills! A Bacharach test stand to calibrate fuel injection pumps, test injectors, and set up and test governors will require an investment of over $90,000.00 US. If I had one I wouldn't be doing freebies.
That said, the Chinese and some grey-market brands offer something not usually found in American commerce or business models; a new product drop-shipped directly from the factory for a no-frills dirt-cheap price. This model has it's drawbacks from a customer service standpoint in that some of the importers don't know anything at all about tractors, their business is importing not "tractoring", and several of the small independent guys just want to make a quick buck or two. The tractor box stores like Northern, etc. are bound to have service and parts departments that are staffed. The smaller dealers are similar only usually staffed by several employees and the owners themselves, and to say which gives the better service or price, one could only base that on personal experience, since experiences can, and do, vary widely.
In the end one has to not only consider price, but value as well. The value of a well prepared tractor far outweighs the price difference of one that was directly imported.