Quilter in MN

I have an opportunity to trade in my Janome 6600 and its table for a Bernina 830LE for the unheard of price of $6,600. The dealer just got back from a show so I am assuming the machine was "gently" used there. He sold 2 and has one left. He is throwing in the jumbo hoop as well as a pile of stabilizers. I do love my Janome and have only had it for just over six months. Any thoughts (especially from Bernina owners). Will I regret giving up my Janome? The price of the machine without the trade is still reasonable but this really sweetens the deal. Opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

QuiltingKrazy

If the machine is gently used, go to the dealer and ask to take a test drive on the Bernina. Take your own fabric scraps and quilt sandwiches to practice on. I have found the only way to be sure is to actually try the machine.
Good Luck whatever you decide.

quiltstringz

I definitely agree - take some scraps that you have cut to piece with and take something to embroider. See exactly what you are getting for that close to $7,000 that you are going to have to pay (in addition to what you have already paid for your Janome). Make sure that you can live with whatever features you are giving up (each brand seems to have something specific to only them), the ease that you can work with the new machine, yes there will be a learning curve but is it something that you think you can or want to master, etc. Remember Bernina feet (I have a Bernina and love it) are pricier than other brands. Not trying to turn you off on this, just somethings that I can think of if I were doing this.

rusty quilter

If you like your Janome...why switch??? I traded in a Pfaff for my Bernina 820--my new one was nice--but the truth is, my old one was pretty darn good for about 1/3 the price!

DebraK

I bought a gently used longarm and frame for that much and got to keep my Janome as well. Are you going to quilt on the Bernina?

DogHouseMom

The Bernina 830LE is pretty neat machine ... suggest you read the blogs etc to get a feel for the customer satisfaction so far.

Also ... what kind of warranty is he willing to give you on the Bernina?

How old is your 6600? I seem to remember the price of the Bernina being in the low 5 figure range, so the price you quoted is roughly 50% off which is an outstanding deal. If you like the machine, there are not a lot of glaring customer complaints about the machine in general, and the warranty is intact ... I'd jump at it.

If you change your mind and really want a 6600 back ... you can pick up one up a LOT cheaper than the discount on the Bernina.

gwenzie

I love Janome, hands down. I have 4 Janomes and if I bought another machine it would be a Janome.

HMK

I love my Janome and regret buying my Bernina. Bernina is too proprietary for my liking and my Janome stitches better. But the others have given you sound advice.

Quiltngolfer

I'm a Bernina owner. I would try it out as suggested and if it does a nice job on your samples, jump at it! I just love the Bernina machines.

mltquilt

I have a Bernina 830 that I got from my dealer as it was a demo machine. It had the same warranty, etc. Love it, but then I'm a Bernina person. The LE had just come out when I got my 830, but the price was too good to pass up on the one I bought. Like everyone else says, check out the machine. Also check out the dealer. A good dealer makes all the difference.

mltquilt