Welcome to the Quilting Board!
If you're able to price whatever machine you decide to go with at two different dealers, I'd highly recommend it. I'm a snowbird and was able to price the same machine (Bernina 830) at a dealer in Florida and one in Wisconsin. The Florida dealer was $2000 under the Wisconsin dealer. I, or rather, my husband, had previously purchased a new 200e Bernina when they first came out, from the Wisconsin dealer so she knew me rather well. It was discouraging to see such a price difference!
I love the Pfaff brand. Hope you looked at those as well.
I purchased my Janome 6600 used from my dealer for about what you are looking to spend on the 4120. The 6600 retails for twice what I paid for it. I recently found a 6600 for my friend on Craigslist for $800. He DH bought it for her for her birthday. My 6600 is amazing, so I'd suggest looking used if you have the time.
You didn't mention your budget and I don't know the price of the machines you are considering. I bought a Juki F600 a few months ago and love it. I have a local dealer but, from what I've read on several boards, a lot of people have purchased theirs online. It has a nice size "throat" which is great for quilting, sews quietly, and has more stitches than I will ever use. The Juki has all the "bells & whistles" I was looking for at a lower price. I looked at a Janome but it was out of my price range. Buy the machine that speaks to you and fits your budget. Good luck!
Does Babylock fit into this discussion? I had an Esante, I think, reconditioned, but I sold it. Too much machine for me at the time although it's performance was great. Too heavy for me to travel with so I sold it to someone who really wanted to embroider and all that. I then bought a more basic Janome which has served me v. well. But Babylock is calling me. It was so smooth. I hesitate about Bernina b/c of the expensive parts, etc. Anyone out there a Babylock fan?
Hello from Shenandoah Valley, VA. Quilting a few years. Love the process of creating the quilt top, but don't like making the sandwich of top, batting and backing as much. We have two Labrador Retrievers, a yellow and a chocolate. Blessings to all!
I'll start this by asking do you need the Cadillac or would you be happy with the Chevrolet? You can buy a comparably featured Brother machine for substantially less than you'll pay for a Babylock.Originally Posted by angelarose
Cari
I'm a BabyLock fan, have been for many years. Have a great dealer from whom my mother purchase all her machines from since the 60's. But to be honest, we never had a Bernina dealer close to us, would have had to drive nearly 40 miles to find one, and my Mom always said that it's best to purchase from a dealer who's close because when you have a problem you want to get there quick. The guy I purchase from is great and he and his wife have tried twice now to retire and both people who wanted to purchase the business nearly ran it into the ground. They started losing people who were customers for years like my Mom, so they came back permanently about 9 years ago. He also designs products for BabyLock. I just can't say enough about him or BabyLock.
Test the machines the pick the one you like best and that fits your budget. Features someone else likes may be ones that you will never use or are unimportant to you. Go with your gut but make sure you pick a dealer that you fell will be there when and if you need him.
I would take a look at Juki machines. I now have two of them, the Juki TL98Q a heavy duty fast straight stitch machine and my brand new Juki Exceed 600 with all the bells and whistles. I am in love with both of them and they piece and quilt beautifully without balking, growling, jamming and breaking needles like my Janome 6500 did at seam junctions. For about $2500 you could buy both of these machines (TL 210Q is the newer model of my first Juki). My friends paid over $4000 for their Berninas and I don't think they sew one bit better than my Juki.
Shelbie from the High County in Southern Ontario
I agree too. You test drive when buying a car and you need to do the same thing. The best buys usually are at Quilt shows because the dealers having opened the box, must sell them as used. Use the same technique in buying a car. When getting down to the final cost, see if there are any freebies they can add to the mix. I always played one Bernina dealership against another to get the best bang for my dollar.
A Good Friend, like an old quilt, is both a Treasure and a Comfort
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