That is a very good price. I bought mine direct from Mantis for more but I would still consider that if I were you. Reason is service.

When I got it new, I notice the engine looked like there are some fishnet pattern on the casting, I demand an exchange, they did, free.

5 months down the road, the gear box jammed. I open it and found no grease it the housing, they forgot to put grease in. They shopped me a new gear box, arrange return shipment, no charge, no question ask. I love it. YOu cannot avoid things gone wrong, service is more important. I take them over the dealer.

BTW, it is the best piece of equipment I bought!!! It is so useful, get the dethatcher attachment. It worked so well, it does not beat up the lawn like the big dethatcher. The lawn look good right after the dethatching. I use it all the time, to get rid of weeds, dig holes for planting etc.
I got the one with Honda engine, it is very quiet and easy to start.

I forgot. Call Mantis whether they are willing to give you the same service as mine even if you buy it in Amazon. If they do, then there should be no problem buying on Amazon. Either way, don't buy in dealers. You cannot get nearly as good a price and they are not necessary that good in service. I have disappointing experience with dealer. At least for Mantis, you can do better.

I actually wasn't in the market, but thought that it seemed to be a good price for anyone seeking their wife's next project... I looked up our mantis from 1996 and she paid $329 from a local garden store. Echo's tiller was the kissing cousin of the Mantis for anyone w/ local dealer.

Echo is exactly the same as Mantis, just different label. Mantis is using the Echo 21.2cc engine.

I went on Amazon last night to check because $249 for the gas model is unheard of. Only the electric one is $249.

I am not sure the electric is a good idea. You get the cable caught in the tine, you will be in deep dodo!!! I got some 1/4" drip tube caught in the tine, it wind up pretty tight. Might rip the electric cable.

It is very useful. I bought it mainly for dethatching. It really do a good job. It does not beat up the lawn like the bigger dethatcher. The grass looked good right after dethatching.
I am very surprised that it work very good for weeding, cultivating and digging holes for planting. I end up using it all the time.

Their little disclaimer was there was 4 at that price. Must be out ;). Amazon's good at playing the game. http://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B000FIY9MC shows it was as low as $229 . You can hook up an rss feed to that site if you want to watch for that after Christmas sale!
A few years back there were subtle differences between the Mantis and Echo. The handle for one. I'm unsure about now. The Echo rep said they bought the lower end from the Mantis people so the meat and potatoes are the same anyways.
BTW, I had a customer who had an electric- tho not Mantis. Maybe a Desa. I did some minor repair to it as I recall. Anyways, he really liked it for his little garden. Always starts and runs!

I know what you are talking about the price change of Amazon. I actually caught a sale on the Poulan front tine tiller. It was alway $399, one day, I check it was $299 and free shipping. I order right away. I got it. I check back after I order only a few hours later, it was back to $399!!! This is my pair of tillers. THe big one for breaking new grounds, the little one for detail work. I am putting in my garden, I am loving all those tillers!!

$249 for the 2 cycles are very good price. If anyone see that, should stock up one just in case!!! Or sell it back on ebay!!!