I always steer people who are looking for a sewing machine toward Brother machines. Brother is a large company that did not start out making office printers and faxes in the 70's - Brother started out making sewing machines in the mid 20's. They were the first company to develop an industrial embroidery machine, if you were wondering why their embroidery stitches out so beautifully. They know their stuff when it comes to sewing machines, if they didn't, Babylock would not source their machines from them. Some people don't need a $$$$ or can afford a $$$$ dealer machine. Buy what you can afford. I will say this though, I have noticed Walmart is now stocking more Singer's than Brother's. I don't consider this a good thing.