I think sewing machines are like everything else...sometimes no matter what you pay for the item--high or low--it is a lemon!!!! I don't judge the quality of anything anymore by its name....that is no longer a benchmark..........my feelings are if you like what you see, in your price range, know its limitations and accept them, then go for it and good luck. I have had some very bad experiences with so called reputable things in the past, so now it is anything goes!!!!! Just remember Buyer Beware! (of everything)