As I actually know what 1000 bucks buys you - from a raw materials, labour, jigging, quality of production, disbursement etc etc standpoint, believe me when I say you want TIG at that price. The quality is much better.

However, if you think a Mercian is just a more sensible option than say a Kirk or a Sachs or a Eisentraut because it's cheaper, then you're kidding yourself. If you've got a spare moment, here's a good example. Check out 'sorebutt's' (from the roadie forum) 'Traut vs this close up pic of the Mercian you mentioned.