I purchased a "used"....very good Bernina, Artista 180. I have had no problems with it, since it's a sewing center that sold it. I assume it was checked over before it was sold. They gave classes with the purchase of the machine, which I took. If you want to download a lot of designs off of the internet, it's costly. I looked into it and it would cost over $1000 to buy the software. I don't do embroidering professionally so I feel that 's expensive. Unless I buy that software I'm limited to what designs come with the sewing machines. One other comment, my used sewing machine cost $1500. The same sewing machine cost $8000 to buy six years ago. Good luck shopping.