I bought the 9700(?) last fall-I too was worried about the $ but then found out my husband bought a new bow-put that thing on the credit card so fast-I think I paid $1,800 for it on sale. Used my rewards card and got an additional $40.00 gift card and bought more fabric. LOVE It. All I want to do is sew, quilt and learn the embroidery. Work keeps getting in the way!