You got that right!! I almost choked when I was surfing around the web the other day and saw a price tag of over $11K for it?!?! I don't think that even included the frame, that was just for the machine.
Hey I am as big a Bernina fan as you will find but no way will I shell out that kind of money for it. I agree with you... If I had that kind of cash to throw around I'd get myself one of those really fancy long arm set ups. As it is I am having a hard time swallowing the budget model prices I am seeing of around $4,000. I wish I had a place around here that gave lessons and rental time on them so I can give it whirl and decide if I really want to pursue longarm machine quilting.
I could kick myself that about 5 or 6 years ago I was at a local quilt show and there was a vendor that sold frames that would work with the Bernina 153QE (which is the machine I have). Had it all set up for a test drive and everything. I tried it and thought to myself YEAH this would be great. Having no idea how much the longarm setups were, I found the price a bit steep for the set up (I think it was between $300 and $500 but can't be positive, those particular braincells are long gone it may have been more). Now that I know what I know I so wish I had bought it right then and there. I keep going back to that show every year hoping the same vendor will be there. Can't even remember the name to do an internet search. Next time I see a setup like that I am going for it. Until then I can dream.
FF