>How are people supposed to know these things before buying the equipment.

By looking at reviews or paying someone to evaluate the product.

>What if they’re the only provider in their region

Then there is an opportunity for competition. Or you can import a product from another region.

As an outsider, that’s literally what I’m doing: paying attention to the reviews. And some people are telling the reviewer to shut up and quit whining, thus encouraging them not to leave the review that I want to be reading.

Make up your mind. Do you want people to read and write reviews, or don’t you?

All great in theory, but in importing farm machinery, you need to take into account servicing options and warranty claims. Would be painful if you need to truck a harvester or even mower interstate for a warranty claim.

And it's not like these things are always available from a source with reviews. Reviews for new models are less likely to cover repair-access issues that will arise in a few years' time.