Home Depot sells the 'entry level' John Deere lawn tractors. Most of these models can be purchased at your local dealer as well. The pricing should be the same. The difference is that your dealer actually performs the service issues/warranty issues for Home Depot and Lowes. You might check with your local dealer before you purchase. Many times they will offer a free extended warranty as an incentive to purchase from them versus the big box stores.
Yup, like the other two said. The dealer wanted 100 bucks more than Home Depot when I got mine. The Dealer said he would knock off 50 bucks and he also assembled the bagger I purchased with it and threw in a mulching plug. So for 50 bucks, I saved an hour in assembly, got the mulch plug and started a relationship with the guy who is going to repair my tractor if anything major goes wrong. And, he is right around the corner from my house.