If you buy a good used machine it can hold up in value. A new machine will go down in value as soon as you buy it. To buy a used machine make sure the wheel turns freely. Make sure it stitches, winds a bobbin, the electric works - look at the wires to make sure they aren't cracked or frayed. Does it zigzag? Does the machine look distressed? Some of us buy them with problems and fix them up if it something that can be fixed even. The older machines usually can be fixed but the newer ones often times are history if something goes bad.