Somewhere there is a thread here with a bunch of links to places to buy online. Find that and search through the "closeout" and promotional sales. You can get great new gear that way much cheaper.
I got my Scorpion for $110 shipped. Boots are just down right expensive.
Deals are there jut gotta find em.
Next option is to buy lightly used, then have it cleaned by a pro. Going that route could save you $100's and you could get top of the line stuff.