I had it explained to me this way -- when you buy a machine from other than a dealer (as an example, Wal-Mart), the machine is made to "Wal-Mart" specifications which may or may not be the same as the machine produced for a dealer. I have always bought my machines from my dealer -- I support him with my purchases and in his case, at least, he provides free embroidery clubs, serger clubs, quilting clubs. I may pay a little more for my machine but I appreciate the quick service I get when I have a probem, the clubs provided, and I figure that if we don't support our dealers, one of these days the dealers may be gone.