Innov-is 500 D embroidery machine
 

I've been looking for a used or refurbished home embroidery machine. I've found one for around $300. The ad lists the features & it has preload designs & Disney designs, but doesn't say how old the machine is. Does anyone have this machine & do you like it? Are the preloaded designs enough and are the cards expensive?

[QUOTE=Debbie B;5441143]I've been looking for a used or refurbished home embroidery machine. I've found one for around $300. The ad lists the features & it has preload designs & Disney designs, but doesn't say how old the machine is. Does anyone have this machine & do you like it? Are the preloaded designs enough and are the cards expensive?[/QUOTE
NO the preloaded designs will not be enough..unless you only want to do monograms. Even then, there are so many beautiful choices. YES, the cards are expensive..considering you can buy a design transfer kit/software for about what you'd spend for a few cards. Example: you can buy PED Basic software with cardwriter/reader and memory card for around $100. If you get ''a deal'', two design cards could cost that. Magic Box is a transfer system--others out there. And with transfer box, you can then access so very many free designs on the internet. The most important consideration for you is how lge a hoop it will handle. So many of us start with the 4x4 and immediately wish for larger sizes.

I agree that a reader/writer box will open up many more designs that you can download. I have PED Basic which runs about $100 and comes with 1 blank memory card which can be used over and over. I also agree that in a short time, you will be ready for a hoop size larger than 4x4. I have a 5x7 and it works great for many designs. If you buy a "refurbished" machine from a reputable dealer, it's almost better than a new one because many of the "bugs" have been worked out.

If you can afford one, I would get at least a 5x7 hoop size and one that uses a USB port you can use with a computer. So much easier to download designs from the internet. A couple of good stores that carry refurbished machines is AllBrands in LA and Ken's Sewing Center in AL. Great customer service.