I paid $2495 as well. That was on sale. There is a post here about surge protectors, I wish I would have read that sooner. 3 weeks after I purchased the house breaker blew twice. My machines circut fried. The LQS called Janome and they sent a new board, free. My LQS gave me a 6600 on loan, I much prefer and miss my 7700. Another good post here is about the monogram letters. They are not the greatest. Play with the machine at the shop really well. Make sure you like all it has to offer, or at least can live with it.