Sorry - I don't know what to do if no one in the area responds. I am in CA so cannot help you! I will tell you that the vast majority of us bought it sight unseen with absolutely no regrets.
I totally understand wanting to see it in action, but other than all of the videos out there that is the next best thing, I am not sure what else to suggest. I assume you have watched the most recent webinars? And Penny has quite a few videos on her blog as well
http://pennyduncancreations.blogspot.com/Are there any questions we can answer or any specific information we can help with? I can tell you that this machine is at work in major universities and large companies and some are doing absolutely amazing things. They don't all share what they are doing. I know Sherri is working on getting permission from some of them to share the creations. Have you talked with her yet?