I have one, but only because it "fell in my lap" so to say. I had looked at embroydery machines, but like you, could never justify that price. Then I got a call from someone who knew someone who's mother had passed and she had an embroydery machine they wanted to sell and my name was brought up. Long story short, they gave me everything she had, which was boxes of embroydery thread, extra attachments, software and connections, every kind of stabilizer you could think of. That stuff was worth what I paid, which was about 1/4 the cost new. I am a happy camper. Love the machine, but still would not spend that much money on one. Unless, of course, I were to win the lottery. And that won't happen, cause I don't buy tickets. LOL