Hello from Alabama! I bought a Tin Lizzie 18LS in Feb and love it. It is a great beginner machine. I have however had to figure out alot of things on my own. The biggest issue is adjusting the tension and I think you will have to learn to do that no matter what machine you get. My local service rep isn't much help. I don't have a computer, wanted to learn freehand before relying on a computer. All in all I am very happy with it and think its a very good starter machine. I got mine for under 5K, bought a demo machine at the local Sew & Vac.