Jennykandy

I did my research and wanted a Janome 8900, in the end, bought it online from a store in Texas (I live in NYC), sight unseen, was so pleased with price, I got it even cheaper when I spoke to the salesgirl, that I bought another Janome (smaller one), from them. They give excellent service, and, every time I'm stuck and don't know what to do, I phone them up and they help, so I definitely advice you to buy the cheapest price you can get!

Onebyone

Most any high end machine sold on Amazon is through a dealer. Same as the shop machines just no in house classes. Dealers and shops sell on Amazon usually using different names then their shop name.

Calran

I can tell you that I bought my Janome 8900 from a dealer and later found I could have saved at least $2,000 had I done my homework. There is so much info online to teach you how to operate the machine. I learned more online than from the dealer. One good perk was free service the first year but not worth $2,000 dollar difference. Do your homework before buying an expensive machine. I love mine but really i am self taught.

Dottie Bug

I bought my janome 6300p on line because no dealer close to me i have had no problems w/ it ,and I love it

oldtisme

LOL I'm just the opposite, I bought my Janome 6600 from a seller in NYC & I'm in Texas. I bought mine through Ebay, the machine is in like new condition, I even wonder if it was ever really used. I had great comunication with the seller who owns a sewing machine shop. I save over $700 by buying from him and I am still getting emails from him asking if I have any questions on how to work anything. I am tickled to finally have my dream machine & with a savings of over $700 compared to my local Janome dealer.

paoberle

My LQS offers classes to learn any machine for a small fee. If the online price is significant, it would be worth it to buy and then pay for a class or two.

Judi in Ohio

I love my Juki's - I have the 2010 and the F-600. Great machines for a good price. My bs meter is going off as I read what that dealer told you. Nonesense. He wants to sell you a machine so he degrades the machines that can be bought cheaper. You really don't need a dealer for the Juki's unless you want to spend the extra $$$$ and need hand holding. I don't and would rather spend that extras $ on fabric - well, I do that anyway.

maryfrang

Have you contacted the manufacture. With the internet, it is easy to find their offices and asked about the difference and also what the dealer told you. I would also request from them a reliable dealer that could/would provide you with local services such as training and service.

Bubbie

Hi Terri,
You will find that Dealer vs Boxed over all are the same thing. When you go to a DEALER - you are paying for personal service (ie:The sales person, The building, The teacher and her time - to teach you all of the little things about your machine or to hold your hand when you forget how to do something, All of the FREE lessons - you pay for them in the price too). A BOXED machine has NO personal service with it for little things and if you want lessons you will pay a dealer about $45.00 per hour (at least that's the price in Oregon at this time), for an hour of one on one time with a teacher (I've done the one on one and like it better than the classes, because I can address the problem I'm having and learn what I want and get out). The other thing about boxed that you do need to watch out for is if the machine is REFURBISHED. It can be fine, but you still want to know up front so be sure to read all the on line info from the seller and print it out with your CONFORMATION number.
Hope you have fun with your new machine.

judykay

Try calling a local repair person who is not a dealer and ask them if there is a difference. When I was trying to decide which brand of machine to buy I asked my repair person which was the better of the two.