I have a Singer and I love it! I just received mine this past year for Christmas but I had been wanting one for so long. My Mother had Singer serger for years and even though they aren't high end they do the job and I don't remember my mother ever having issues with it. As a matter of fact she developed cataracts and couldn't see to thread it so she taught my Dad to do it for her...it's color coded, just follow the guides. The tension isn't that hard to adjust, as a matter of fact the new sergers come with a dvd that walks you through it. Mine came threaded and I actually was able to serge with it immediately out of the box!! lol*