I believe you get what you pay for, I have just paid out about $2000 for my new Elna machine and for ease of use and less frustration it does everything I want and more, the so called little extras, such as a good working needle threader, thread cutter, knee lifter etc. etc. is worth it's weight in gold IMO it take so much frustration and stress out of the quilting so that you can enjoy your hobby.