While shopping for a new embroidery machine I was told that PFAFF is soon going to not be able to support their product in the US. That is because they've been bought by a Chinese company or at least will be manufactured in China. I was also told that Bernina is the only one still manufactured in Europe by the original company. I know several people who have purchased a Brother machine at Costco. I know they are not top of the line but thy are very functional and quite versatile for just regular sewing and piecing.