Used machine tools are a good value in a world where inflation is pumping prices higher and higher. As a hobby machinist you don't need automation which is what every machine shop must have to survive. So with everything automated and production long since gone offshore "nobody" wants these tools anymore - except hobbyists for the most part.
Now if you are not interested in all that then a "buddy" deal is the way to go. Either someone you know or someone on the forum willing to help. After that there are online resources such as https://www.emachineshop.com/ I'd say walking into a working machine shop asking for a one-off for any less than a $5K project is generally not a good idea.