3 1/2 years ago, I bought the Pfaff GrandQuilter (9") w/Next Generation frame. My LQS gave me a 2 hr class long after I bought the machine. By then, I had joined the PfaffGrandQuilter yahoo group. My suggestion is that you join them. They have people w/both the 9" like I had and the 18". The moderator of the group has the 18". They are a friendly group willing to help. Anything that you experience, someone on that group has had the same problem and figured it out. I belong to several different groups on yahoo (related to embroidery, quilting, etc.) and find them very helpful.
Dolly in MI