You won't hear anything bad about Janomes - at least the ones sold through dealers. Unfortunately, machines are a lot like fabric so when they are sold through Wal-Marts, Hancocks, etc., they tend to be lesser quality. More plastic parts and so on. The largest Janome dealer I know of is Ken's Sewing in Muscle Shoals, AL. They ship all over and give great prices. (kenssewingcenter.com)