Singer machines sold at these sales are not made by Singer but by Singer Inc. Singer Int'l. , other forms or Singer name. Singer has never made school machines just for schools, schools deal with a dealer just like any customer. So many think that are getting Singer machines. If you read the fine print on the ads, it states not affiliated with Singer in anyway. It really gives Singer a bad rep so many of these machines are crappy and then the buyers get upset when Singer won't repair or replace the non Singer machines. Buyer beware is the best approach.