However, having excellent support from a non-local vendor would be much better than margional support from a local one. Given the relatively few companies in this country that produce veterinary practice management software, most veterinarians will not have the option of using a local company. Don't confuse a company with a local sales representative with a truly local company. A sales representative is unlikely to be of any help after the sale is made. Support and training will come from the home office.
Some companies sell their software to numerous small vendors around the country.
If support is to be provided locally, contact the national company and find out what your support options would be if the local vendor goes out of business or fails to provide adequate support. There is no absolute answer to the question of cost. It will vary widely depending on the vendor involved and the individual needs of your practice. The advantages of a higher priced package may produce a greater return on your investment than a lower priced system. Your goal should be to get the biggest payoff for your dollars spent.