I bought my used Gammill Classic Plus in April of 2012, but due to my first knee replacement 6 weeks before, really did not get much time on it until late summer. I knew I'd be retiring as an educator the next summer(2013) so set out with the intent of establishing a post-retirement business. Mainly, my hope was to earn enough to pay for my quilting addiction and my health insurance. So far, I've only been able to almost achieve the paying for my addiction. I found that the learning curve was significant to become good, there are quite a few long arm quilters in our area (8 in my guild of about 150,of which about 80 are very actively quilting), 3 LQS that rent time on long arm machines in the area,and more and more quilters purchasing sit-down machines. But another LA friend said it took her a full 3 years to build up a clientele, so I'm hopeful. My DH says as long as it pays for my quilting addiction, I'm in great financial state--so that's become my new goal!
Why a long arm? Despite needing to use a drafting stool due to 2 replacement knees, I find it much easier than wrestling a full size quilt in my DSM (which I have done), not to mention trying to sandwich one! Plus, I think I do a nicer job and like the results more--and the process!