The ski show in October (Schaumburg)has great deals on last year's models.
I think boots are very important and have Tecnica they have plug in for heat to mold to feet. If the boots hurt your feet its misery. One reason my sister's family rents skis out west but brings there own boots.
If you don't ski a lot I would rent skis, they keep getting better and are expensive. Check into the ski show next year. It was the same weekend as the expo this year.