I purchased a 2002 Designer II embroidery machine from a friend for $500. It had been well taken care of, sewn on pretty regular (did not sit for years not used as that is sometimes not good for a machine), She used the machine for all her applique because it felt it did the best job of any machine she ever had. That is saying something as she is elderly and previously had a home craft business for decades and did LOTS of applique. I bought the machine from her 2 years ago.
Best of luck.
Karen