Were you looking to buy a CFR machine or are you just infering that they are poor value for money? I wasn't aware that CFR had a machine that cost £3k. Mine cost much less and it's proved great value over the years.
If you want you can buy a machine from the US. It's very easy to do. You need consider the cost of crating the thing up. Road transport to the airport, US customs fees, Airline freight, airline handling charge, UK import agent fees, duty (contact the DTI), VAT, road transport from UK airport, insurance and currency exchange costs.
There is also the cost of converting them to 230V. Also I don't think you'd be able to take them into a clients house without some kind of PAT test and certification. Someone else might correct me on that though
More important is after sales service from your UK supplier. If you have good business and manage to fill each day with appointments you'll need to import two machines as when it breaks down (and All cleaning machines break down) each day it's out of action will cost you about £250 in lost income.
Hopefully by now you might be thinking that the UK dealers are not quite the rip off merchants that you thought they were. Don't forget the stack of spares they keep just in case you might need them. Don't forget about the machine they might lend to help you out of a tight spot.
If you want to save money buy a used machine or an ex-demo.
If you do decide to import will you order two for me. I'll gladly pay you £1400 for each machine. Can't say fairer than that can I.
Good luck
Al