Reading this with interest and somehow it went off course from the original question but for us older people the same conversation was going on only it was about products made Japan. Remember all those products of lower quality and cost? They were made in Japan and people bought it because it was cheap. Now it is China. If you want a 100 dollar sewing machine that is what you get, a Chinese manufactured sewing machine. The world of consumerism is based on the masses, that is where the money is. For the record there are some very high quality products made in China. Our home is very diverse on sewing machines. We have a Bernina730e made in Switzerland, A Bernina B330 made in Thailand (very, very solid machine by the way), a Juki 98Q made in Japan (extremely well made) and a Brother CE4000 that just cost 80 dollars but still a really good machine. There you have it, the cheapest is made in China. As for service we have the best Bernina dealer within an hours drive, there is a great Juki dealer that is also an hours drive. The Brother, well since it cost 80 bucks I guess you just fill up the landfill.
Thank you for letting me give my opinion.