Originally Posted by
ckcowl
it costs me $40 for an annual check-up-cleaning service
Maybe it depends on where you live. It cost me over $100 for an annual check-up-cleaning ten years ago, and there was nothing wrong with the machine. That's when I decided to do the cleaning myself, and to take my machine in for servicing only if it doesn't seem to be in tip-top shape anymore. I figure with the $1,000 or so I've saved in 10 years, I can buy a new machine if worst comes to worst. However, my Bernina is still humming away happily without hiccups, so I've had no reason to take her in.