What doesn't seem rightI'd be suprised if they did that, but it doesn't seem right.
You were right Jim, there is no warranty support for ESAB machines bought from other EU countries, here in the UK, and strangely enough ESAB dont even have a dedicated repair workshop themselves any longer. Machines are made in Poland hence the low price. Warranty repairs are carried out by UK service centres, and its up to them whether they carry out repairs on non UK machines.
Out of interest Chris have you gotten a price from an ESAB dealer in the UK?