Last Christmas as I was sewing some nightgowns for my GGD my portable Singer was really giving me problems. I have hated this machine since I bought it. Heavy, did not do much. Of course I was comparing it to my Singer 401 that I purchased in 1958 that I had to give up to travel in our RV. So my hubby said I could purchase the Brother I had seen at Wal Mart. So I went to Wal Mart and they were out of the 9000 that I wanted. I purchased the 5500 instead as I was afraid hubby would change his mind (he has been known to to this). I made all the placemats and pot holders with this machine and was at work on dress for GGD. However I could never get the automatic threader to work. All of sudden the machine started making this horrible noise. Error message said the motor had locked up because the thread was tangled. So I did everything the manual said to do plus went on line to research. Nothing I did made any difference. I was sick! Checked to see if there was a repair shop near by - not one within a hundred miles. We had saved the box and I had the receipt. So I packed it all up and went to Wal Mart. I was not sure they would take it back, I purchased in Hemet, CA and we are now in Pahrump, NV. Clerk checked to see if manual, cord, foot control was in the box and gave me back my money!!!!
Went back to the fabric department (yes, they still have one) and there was the 9000. Put some more money with my refund and now I have the machine I wanted in the first place. And no I did not break the first machine on purpose. LOL
When you compare the two machines and the prices, the 9000 is a much better deal as it comes with a walking foot, quilting
foot, a quilting guide and a 1/4 inch foot. Plus it has wide table to put on when quilting.
I am very happy!!!!