I recently stopped by a shop to see about a foot for my Janome, and got the very same response!! It's like a Janome is a Janome, same design and my money is just as good as the next guy, so what's the deal whether we got one from them or another dealer.. Parts is parts as the old saying goes! I have bought parts at Hancocks, Sewing Machine Parts AND an authorized Janome dealer, and they're all the same. Stores that are that snooty don't need my money or time!! Just my two cents.