1st off.... make sure you get one with known engine manufacturer. There are Chinese engines out there and they are junk! When you do need parts your out of luck as NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE! Easy to ID as they have steel gas tanks.... dumb idea! They rust.
I think the best bank for the buck is Craftsman or a Murray.
I don't like Ariens so much as the axle assembly is maintenance nightmare, and around here parts availability is an issue. They do have nice thick steel bodies though.
Honda's are way over engineered and parts are stupid expensive and also tough to get.
Bigs... flip yours on it's nose, take off the float bowl screw and make sure all 3 holes are clear.This brass bolt is the jet. Use a piece of wire and carb cleaner. Then blow some carb cleaner up the center of the carb. Then replace the float bowl gasket, when they dry out ( thanks to ethenol!) then the primer doesn't work. Wipe a little grease on the gasket when you install it.