Hello to another PA quilter,
I had the good fortune to be able to go to the show in Paducah this spring....tornado and all. There was a woman on the bus that was going to the show for the purpose of checking out the HQ Avante... as I was talking to her she said that she would be selling her current machine which is a HQ16. I had been exploring the possibility of purchasing a quilting machine next year - but when this opportunity presented itself ... I thought about purchasing hers. I have known this lady quilter for several years; she had purchased the HQ 16 four years ago and was ready to "move up". We made the deal and I went to her house and she spent some time showing me some of the features of the HQ 16, and she is a phone call or visit away if I have a problem. I have done 2 small quilts on it since May - and I love that machine. I guess you have to keep your ears and eyes open in talking to fellow quilters - and you never know what can happen.
She is also very happy with her Avante...
Good luck to you in your search I am very happy with the HQ16.
Sue