This week I spilled a glass of water on my Singer Futura. It seems that though it was sericed, it will probably not live much longer as water was still coming out of it after he dried it out overnite. It has a smell as well. He has offered me a great deal on a Brother, but am trying to be sure that is the way I want to go. My LQS instructor loves her Bernina as well. I think I will check out their prices as well.