There's an old saying (you know old sayings become old sayings because of their accuracy); If you can't afford to do it right the first time how can you afford to do it over? Yeah, spending your money is easy.

Something else to consider with "cheap" welders. How easy/costly is it to get consumables, or replacement parts. Tips, wheels, valves, guides and so on will be needed eventually dependant on how much you use it. If you're not going to use it enough to wear some stuff out then the suggestion to borrow one (or rent it) is perhaps a better alternative. Also there's the ease of use of a well designed tool, which can lead to better end results, especially for the "beginner".

Years ago some of the Craftsman welders were Lincolns that were rebranded (stick welder era). I don't know about the units the sell today. If it is a well known, quality brand that is reidentified, and on sale because of Sears mass marketing ability, then it could be a deal. If it's a crappy import that you'll struggle to get repaired down the road, or that just doesn't quite work right, you'll live another old saying; The bitter taste of poor quality lasts far longer than the sweet taste of a low price.