They have always been popular for anyone taking a lot of quilting classes. They also are able to be serviced at home so that is a savings of about $90 a year. I do have a treadle which I enjoy since I have always loved antiques. It actually works and came with the manual along with a lot of attachments. All I had to do was replace the belt. Pieced my first quilt using it, a simple Trip Around the World king size.