Yesterday I drove 150 miles to go to my "local" Brother dealer. My intent was to have a #400 sewing/embrodery machine demonstrated with the intent to purchase later this year. This dealer, located in Tucson, is a major sponsor of sewing related events in TSN, including all of the sewing related programs on our PBS channel.

The small store was crowded with machines and there were several people purchasing vaccum parts and supplies. I found an employee that was not busy and asked her to demonstrate the machine.

At first she gave me a blank stare and then said I must mean the model #4500. I corrected her and said #400. She showed me a #900 and I said no, that wasn't it. I wanted to see the #400. Another blank stare.

Finally she said, "Oh we don't sell any models below the #900 in our store. You can buy one of those at a big box store. I can order one if you want." I told her I didn't know if I wanted it until I saw it demonstrated and had some questions answered.

So, I left. I guess I'll go to Walmart and buy one. I know I won't get any support but at least I can take it back if I don't like it. I wonder if all Brother dealers are this blase when it comes to sales of their entry level machines.

she was correct. the lower model # machines are not made to be sold in Brother stores, but only in the big box retailers. They are not always TRUE Brother machines, but rather odds and ends from all makers that Brother bought out and relabeled for the box stores.
They are not a real attest to a good Brother machine.

Interesting! Our dealer does carry the lower level machines and tried to convince my husband that they were somehow different from the big box inventory. According to what I read on this board that's simply not true. My Brother 9000 is from Amazon.com, bt they have the same one at Walmart. It's a step above what I started with and hopefully someday it will be the one I leave behind for now ... it's great!

I have the 400 and love it.......Michele

Maybe you can answer my questions.....

Does it do a cross stitch? A blanket stitch?
What do you think of the quality of the above stitches and how do you like the quality of the buttonholes?

All the stitches are good, never had any problems with any of the stitches. Have not used the buttonhole stitch yet. Only thing i wish I would have got a larger frame for emb........Michele

The dealers won't sell the less expensive machines because they will take up too much shop space for very little profit and give the customer the option to not buy the more expensive machines in the shop so naturally they are considered 'not good enough'. I don't know why the dealers aren't up front about why they don't have them in the store. They shouldn't poo poo them, they have the Brother name same as their fancy machines.

And, by poo-pooing them, they give a potential upgrade customer a bad vibe.

Had the same experience last week.But got a nice demo on the expensive one which should help when I but the 400 from walmart.

The only thing Iam worried about is servicing. Can I send it to brother when I need too?