Partially true. If boards or other large components go south on ITW the repair does cost as much as a new machine.Friend No. 1 was looking for a welder to repair some rusted metal fencing around the perimeter of his property. His friend No. 2 who is a fabricator told him to avoid DIY/HD Miller and Hobart. Affordable yes, but when they break the cost of repair makes them essentially disposable.
No. 2 recommended Fronius. No. 1 finds a distributor and buys a Fronius Transteel 2200 120v. Holy wallet Batman!
No. 1 takes his new welder and sees No. 2 for guidance. No. 2 helps No. 1 developing a schedule and remarks how well the welder performs for a 120v.
However I've also seen Hobart send out parts free of charge for smaller things like switches, triggers etc.
I wouldn't necessarily worry about ITW -- the odds of a significant failure early in the life of the machine is very, very low. Odds are it will live long enough for the average consumer to not be too upset when it dies. Obviously if you plan to use it commercially you should step up to a better machine.
Fronius made the battery powered Dewalt TIG that never really took off. Worthless trivia.