I have always told my friends that if you by from a dealer you also buy support and instruction. I have had three different Brother machines and never had a problem that my dealer couldn't help me out with. Also, by working with them I have learned how to use all the features of my machine without the agony of plowing through manuals to figure it out. Also, service for your machine is always available when you buy diirect from dealers to say nothing about the guaranteed warrenties you get from a reputable dealer.