The general rule is to thread the loopers first (the needles are easy to thread.....) Most of the loopers are not to dificult to thread but you must go acording to the right order (each serger is diferent)...
I also belived that I made a mistake by buying me a serger when I first look at all this intimidating details.....But after dedicating it some time (I would recomend to learn one or two steps a day....) there was only one intimidating detail: threading the four's looper.....
After this was mastered...... WE have been happily leaving together for almost three years now.....
I own the Brother 1034 D and it states its easy to thread....
Its a great tool.....