Anything sold at Lowes/Sears/HomeDepot, etc is going to be the low end consumer model, if you want something better than that, take a look at the higher end models sold at a real dealer.
The HUSQ that we have was purchased, unfortunately, at Lowe's.
However, the exact model is ALSO available at our local HUSQ dealer, and in retrospect we definitely should have bought there.
The problems were with Lowe's, not the mower. Finding someone to answer questions, finding someone to take our money. Finding someone who could find us a key for the damn thing, finding someone who could get us the literature and deck cleaning kit for the mower, finding someone competent enough to help us load on to our trailer.
Basically, I hate Lowe's for a lot of reasons, the above among them.
I agree with your sentiment wholeheartedly, and definitely suggest finding a local dealer, besides that keeps the money local and you'll end up getting someone knowledgeable and willing to take the time to help you make the right decision.
Love our HUSQ, it handles our yard well, totes the little trailer full of fire wood, requires little maintenance.