About a year and a half ago, I bought an HQ Avante from a quilt shop going out of business. Everyone used it, as the owner rented time on the machine as a service to her customers. I quilted on the Avante for two days in the shop, quilting donations quilts to learn the ropes. The owners came to my house and set everything up, and left me another donation quilt to work on to make sure I wouldn't risk one of my own quilts if there were any problems. I've never had any trouble, and because they are HQ dealers, they are just a phone call away should I need any help. I've never regretted my purchase.