We ordered ours thru an internet dealer, RVpricebusters.com, and picked it up in Ohio. We fulltime, so we probably will never see the selling dealer again. So far getting service hasn't been a problem. If we need some work done, we contact Heartland and they usually have no problem setting us up with a dealer in our current location.
We too have fixed or repaired the small things ourselves, just doesn't make sense to drag it off to a dealer when we can take care of things. Not to mention, if they wanted to keep it over night, we'd need a place to stay. Some dealers don't allow you to stay on their property overnight...most blame that on their insurance carriers.
Warranty work hasn't been an issue at all, so far...and Heartland is great to deal with!