I got a used Bernina from ebay that had been from a school for under $300. I was debating between that and a new Janome but I REALLY wanted the Bernina! :) Before you buy, go to Amazon.com and see if there are any reviews on the model you want. If I had done that before I got my Singer T&S a few years ago, I wouldn't have gotten the piece of junk! Everything is going to have a few bad reviews but if it's got a 2 star rating, stay away!