Originally Posted by justflyingin

I've been wanting a Janome Horizon12000 since I heard about them since I've been exposed to machine embroidery (due to this forum) and really wanted a larger hoop than the 5x7 I had! (seriously!) I'd started to save for the machine--here in Poland they cost new about 17,000 zl which is between 5-6K dollars. This seems to be a lot less than in the states.

Last week, on Saturday (the 5th) when I was waiting for a lady at the dentist's office (I had been her transportation), I checked an on line auction here in Poland which is more or less like Ebay, but not. There was one advertised for what made me blink...

When I saw this ad, it said, "brand new Horizon 12000" still with the plastic on it for just over 3K (I'm changing the money back into dollars). It was a Buy it Now. I called in the afternoon, checking several times to see if it was sold yet, but the seller was a new seller with "0" reputation--and usually you don't buy something so expensive without seeing it from a new seller. He just happened to live in our town (Warsaw), and not 200 miles away, which is what seems like usually happens. Apparently the seller put the ad up and then went away for the holidays and just got back on Saturday--the same day I saw the ad. I called on Saturday afternoon and made contact. I asked if I could see the machine and asked for a history of it. I had kind of wondered if it was stolen since there is a dearth of these machines for sale, second hand.

However, the seller told me he was selling it for a friend of his who had bought it for his wife who had filed for a divorce--without ever even using the machine!!!! (Can you even imagine?)

So they were selling this brand new machine (apparently purchased originally in Sweden), for 60% of the new price in Poland, but it is much less than people in the states are having to pay.

I made an appointment for Sunday afternoon and we went and saw it, bought it and took it home. While we were there, he answered the phone from two other interested buyers. In a way I felt like I stole it, but in a way, I felt like it was a gift and was meant for me.

All of the details just worked out...like my checking the auction (which I wouldn't have if I hadn't taken that lady to the dentist), and being able to come up with the money the next day and making contact with the seller because my husband told me, "Go CALL HIM" when I told him about the ad!

I'm one happy/grateful lady.

It had been a rough December because we do so much charity work in December including giving away a bunch of quilts, presents, etc. so I was really tired plus I got dreadfully sick on the 17th which lasted several weeks.

But I know that a few of you can really be happy with me. Just wanted to share my good news! I feel so privileged. I've tested the machine and all seems to work well.