I have a Janome 9000 and it has always gone in once per year - cost is about $125-$150. The longest it has ever been in the shop is 1 week because it had a broken part (didn't know it - it kept sewing for me). I have several other machines so being without one isn't so critical for me. I have 2 Singer Featherweights and I just do them myself since they aren't computerized. I have a Bernina and it runs me about $85. Just got a new Janome 6600 and according to the manual it says it should be serviced once per year. My 9000 is my heaviest used machine.