a month or so ago, i got a White 3300 (made by Brother) and i LOVE it! using it way more than i expected. i got it used on Craigslist for $120. just yesterday i ordered the PED-basic card writer ($114) so i can transfer embroidery patterns to the card that fits in the machine. i can't complain at all, and hopefully when i decide to spend the money on a Brother with a bigger embroidery field (mine is 4.3 X 4.3), i can get the money back out of this one on Craigslist.
i don't think i'd ever spend more than $1000 on an embroidery-only machine.