Late to the party but I feel your pain. Honestly, the way Sony keeps the Sony Alpha 7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Body at that retail price even years later is just frustrating. I spent months waiting for a drop last season and ended up disappointed because the sales were basically non-existent. If you need it by next Friday for a gig, you're kinda in a corner. Heres what I found from my own gear hunt:

• Used from B&H or Adorama is usually way safer than eBay because they actually test the gear. You might find a Grade 9 for around $1950 if you catch a restock.
• Panasonic LUMIX S5II Body with 20-60mm Lens is often way cheaper and honestly has better stabilization, but the Sony lens ecosystem is just better for pros.
• The older Sony Alpha 7 III 24.2MP Mirrorless Camera is well under budget, but that old menu system and the screen are pretty bad compared to the IV. Unfortunately, with your timeline, you might have to bite the bullet on a slightly higher price just for peace of mind. Just be careful with those random East Coast camera shops in NYC that look cheap online... they usually pull a bait-and-switch. Stick to the reputable sellers or check local FB groups, sometimes you find someone desperate for cash who can meet up today.

To add to the point above: it's honestly ridiculous how these prices stay so high. I've had zero luck finding a genuine sale lately and it's pretty disappointing. For a Friday deadline, you're really pushing it.

• Greentoe Sony a7 IV: You can usually bid around $2000 and get an authorized dealer to accept, but you gotta do it today to make Friday.
• KEH Camera Sony a7 IV Body: They're usually better for used gear than the big stores, but I've had issues with their shipping taking longer than promised. I've had bad luck with shipping delays before so dont trust the checkout timer too much. If you don't buy it by tonight you're probably gonna be stuck without a camera for that gig.

In my experience, you arent gonna find a brand new one under $2100 with tax easily. Do you need a lens included or just the body? Over the years, I've found open box is the safest way to save while keeping a warranty.

• Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-Frame Mirrorless at Best Buy (Open Box)
• Used B&H listings (Grade 9 or higher) Stick with big retailers tho... shipping is way more reliable for your Friday deadline.

To add to the point above: the pricing situation is honestly so frustrating. I've been looking for a while and it's just not as good as I expected for a camera that's been out this long. Since you need it by Friday, bidding is probably too risky... I had issues with dealers taking days to ship after a bid was accepted and it stressed me out. Quick tip: look at Sony Alpha a7 IV listings on MPB. They are usually super reliable because you see photos of the actual unit youre buying, which helps if you're worried about sensor damage or weird wear. If that doesn't work, maybe check Amazon Warehouse Sony a7 IV for used stock. Since you're on the East Coast, Prime is basically the only way you'll definitely make that Friday deadline. Its a bummer we have to jump through these hoops just to save a few bucks tho. Hope you crush the gig!