Hi,
I brought a Pfaff 7550 a while back and brand new it was about $2000 including taxes. I think I bought it back in 2004. And I think they were still being made in Germany then. The other top of the line machine I was considering was a Bernina--but they were just too expensive and any attachments were costlier also. I have been very, very satisfied with my Pfaff. It is a great piece sewer and quilts very nicely with the duel feeder. I think $500 is a decent price for this very good brand machine.