To decide on the the shop / merchant for the equipment took considerable less time than I had expected. The choices were not that many, given the budget I had.  I was clear  that I will get the stuff online - the local shops were extremely expensive.

Merchant Consideration List
   1. B&H Photo Video
   2. Adorama
   3. eBay
   4. Any other merchant

I had bought camera and films online from B&H Photo Video store (located in New York) and they have excellent service and products. I had been eyeing their SP Studio systems for a long time and had gone over the different configuration of kits many times. On that basis, I had an initial budget of about $600 for all the lighting equipment. The SP Portrait / Home studio kits seemed very inviting.

Similarly Adorama (also in New York) has a good reputation and they have been innovative in introducing many photo gizmos and products at reasonable prices. Adorama had their own lighting system which are cheap and good for a home studio. They also carry SP systems.

eBay turned out to be a disappointment - cheap sets, long recycle times, questionable support, unknown fly by night merchants - and most of the sellers carried the same items manufactured in China. Also, the specifications of the strobes did not seem accurate.

It seemed better to go with SP systems than do ebay buying.

I  looked at some other merchants with brick and mortar stores and went through forums etc - till I came across Paul C Buff who designs and manufactures the White Lighting series of strobes.  Get these if you have a slightly bigger budget than mine. The sister company of White Lighting turned out to be Alien Bees. Almost the same technology, lower price.  Alien Bees seemed to have favorable reviews in the forums. Their customers seemed pleased. 

1. Manufactured in USA - if equipment malfunctions, there is an address for return.
2. Two year factory warranty.
3. 60 days return - even if not satisfied.
4. If, at any point in future, I want to upgrade to a more powerful strobe, the cost is the price difference + $25. That was perhaps the clincher.

So, finally, the first week of Jan 06, I placed the order. And it was done.