Dave,
GL can be a rewarding experience (as in saving some money) or a drive you right up the wall PITA.
If you are only going to buy one vehicle I would find a seller that buys regularly from GL and flips vehicles to make a few bucks (like I used to).
They have taken the risk that there may be a hole in the block, hidden damage or the dreaded "GL driveshaft" in the case of M1008's and other small vehicles (they move them around with a forklift).
You can look at, drive and check the vehicle out before you buy. You will pay more but you leave out the risk factor, shipping costs (if you are close to the seller) and putting up with working around GL's pickup schedule.
While I have had very positive experiences with the rank and file GL folks at sales locations and got some good help from some of the low level office people in Arizona I am not impressed with GL's higher up (mis)management people.
Bottom line with GL is "ya pays your money and takes your chances".
Good luck.