Box stores verses dealers
 

Could someone explain to me what is the difference between a "sewing machine" a box store sells verses the same model a dealer may sell other than the price? I don't mean service or parts, I'm speaking of the machine itself.

Box stores sometimes have models made special for them and you can't get them anywhere else. Other models are just sold cheaper at the box stores. If it's the same model number you see in multiple places then there should not be any difference in the machine itself.

It shouldn't be any different, the dealer usually offers free classes, and warranty service which to me is pointless on a cheap machine. if I pay less than 200 on a machine and it breaks which none of mine have in the past 8 years I will just buy another one cheaper than paying to have it serviced IMHO you get what you pay for or can afford. I have had a refurbished cheap machine online since 2005, and my walmart cheap is a couple years old. If you are paying 500 and over I would go with a dealer, anything under that can be bought online is not worth it at the dealer IMHO. I have only bought my expensive machines from a dealer because if they malfunction it will be cheaper to fix than replace.

I bought a WalMart Brother machine for under $200. It broke after 3 years and a Brother dealer told me it would cost $60 to fix. It wasn't worth it to me to have it fixed.

I upgraded to a Pfaff which sews so much nicer with the dual feed and 10" harp. The dealer even gave me $100 trade in on my broken Brother machine.