Keep in mind that in some cases you are buying the "name" rather than the actual features. Just like buying a car Ford vs. Cadillac. Be sure to get the features you would use most. It's probably best to buy from a dealer if you are a novice, which you aren't, so shop at all the dealers and then get on the internet and go to Ebay and see if there is a gently used machine of like brand/quality that someone bought and lost interest. I have purchased several that were fantastic machines that way and saved a bundle of moneyl Even bought a brand new Babylock sewing/embroidery machine with all the attachments still sealed in the plastic bags. This lady bought two, found out to her dismay that they won't do the kind of commercial embroidery she wanted to do, couldn't return them to the dealer and sold them on Ebay.