We managed to find our deep fryer at K-Mart[1] for around $20-$30. Maybe you could too. Try the health food shops for bulk coconut oil as well. No joke, our local one sells jerry can sized bottles of the stuff.
[1] Note for Americans - Australian and New Zealand K-marts are way nicer than the post-apocalyptic messes you have in the States.
We have an online natural foods business so we get coconut oil wholesale. Hmm, maybe we should consider a deep fryer...