I guess it's all in the timing. My daughter said she was looking for a sewing machine a few years back and I found one for free at the local incinerator. They have a "swap" section where people put items too good to throw away and they are free for the taking. I got a nice Brother, still in the box, showing little wear. Well, my Janome decided to take a hissy fit, so I used the Brother, and she told me to keep it. Last year a friend of mine was at the incinerator and brought me a Sears Kenmore - vintage about the same as my Janome with almost all the bells and whistles that I had, so now I have 3 portable sewing machines. I did have one very old Stradivaro, made in Japan, that weighed a ton that I left at the incinerator. I just didn't need it and it was way too heavy to lift and it had given me some very good years. Also had a Singer and a Kenmore in cabinets, gave the Singer to my sister's granddaughter and the Kenmore to my daughter-in-law, as she liked the cabinet. She has a standing invitation to be taught to sew if she desires, we'll see. As I said, it's all in the timing.