The best I can tell you is to buy from a dealer who will go over the machine before you take it home, to make sure everything is running and set up properly. Also, one who is willing to give you a class on how to operate your machine. There is alot to learn about some of the newer machines and one cannot expect to get the most out of it if not getting help from a dealer. I know for a fact....because I own one....that only Janome dealers who went to the class Janome offered, are allowed to sell them.