My janome dealer will only give lessons and repair machines bought at her store. We have a place other then her to get them cleaned and repaired but what about lessons if you buy it at Wal-Mart? I would not be afraid of buying it at Wal-mart. I wish I had known Sears sold Janome before I spent twice as many $$$ buying from a dealer.
I don't believe Janome would make a "cheaper" machine to sell at wal-mart. That would be bad for their reputation/name brand.