I just came back from a Brother dealership. Of course he was bashing the machines you can get over the internet or mass retailers, but...he showed me a plastic piece that holds the bobbin case in the cheaper machines and showed me a little piece that breaks off frequently. He then showed me a metal part (same part) in the higher end machines and it was so much more substantial. He then demonstrated how the cheaper machines can bend and twist when you hit something that would stop your machine, the higher end machines didn't bend. So, I'm thinking maybe I should wait (as frustrating as it is)to find the Kenmore with the cams or a Singer 401. They just have such cute decorative stitches in the newer machines now but I can't justify $600-$800 for cuteness (maybe $200-$400) and I don't trust the Wal-Mart or internet machines after seeing that plastic part! Such a decision!