RE: the foot up/down thing. Not sure exactly what you are asking. There is no lever for putting the foot down like a mechanical machine. You use a button. There are 3 vertical foot positions, up a tiny bit, normal 'up', and really up, to get your embroidery hoop in.
When you apply pressure to the foot pedal to start to sew, the foot automatically lowers all the way, you don't need to use the button.
IF you have selected the needle down position, the foot will automatically raise a tiny bit when you stop, allowing you to pivot your fabric or slide the next patch in when chain stitching.
My sister had a machine with a knee lift that she was going on and on about and I when I finally figured out what she was talking about I was like "you mean you have to do something with your knee to pivot your fabric? It doesn't do that magically?"
Looked at ebay completed sales and $1200 is a GREAT price, but I agree with the other posters, make sure they let you use it first and check with a dealer about classes.