I never understood this way of thought either, unless your a kitchen magician?! saving a few bucks on a knock offs don't really help you out anyway if your in a legit shop you should be finding way of spending some of that income.
buy machines, take trips, go to the tit bar( with clients ), anything so you can get that tax right off at the end of the year. saving a few bucks on knock-off pretty much says " my quality of work is low, I dont make much money" or " Im a kitchen magician and i tattoo for beer" so buy the good stuff , support the artist that create machines, save your receipts and file those taxes boys and girls/

If your a decent artist maybe you're in the wrong shop and its time to make some changes so you can afford the equipment.
Think to yourself, " If I made machines, would I like it if someone made a copy of it and sold it at a 1/3 or less of the price"

support our artist..

I'd follow this with " just saying" but its so cliche