For those of you who do LOTS of sewing... have you ever considered buying an old industrial? I bought my first one in 1986 and liked it so much that I got another (almost identical) one five years ago. (One for at home, and one to keep at the fabric store.) I paid $500 for the first one, and $382 for the second all those many years later. I bought the first one in Buffalo, NY and the second one was from John Garde & Company in Toronto ( website:
http://www.johngardeco.com )
I can't say enough good things about John Garde & Co. They had a whole room full of ancient Singers, from when we used to have a solid garment industry here in North America. And from time to time, they would clean one of 'em up and offer it on eBay. That's how I found them. Anyhow... the mechanic who worked with me was a third generation sewing machine repairman, so he really knew his stuff. He showed me how to adjust lots of things, and even showed me how to re-time the machine. So I got a machine, and a table, a light, spare light bulbs, extra feet... AND repair lessons.
And I had no trouble bringing "Lassie" across the border. The Customs agents were not at all interested in a used sewing machine.
Anybody near Toronto, go check that company out. I was fascinated to see all the special purpose sewing machines they had, too.