I do not have a Bernina embroidery machine, I have a 1230. I would go with the Janome because as you said they are they ones that have taken time to talk with you about the machine. I know what it is like to try to deal with a dealer who are rude. I took my 1230 in to be cleaned and fixed only to be told that it was old (85) and worn out, and would have to be sent back to the factory to see if it could be repaired, even then it could cost up to $1,000.00. I felt that they were really not interested in helping in any way. I called the dealer that I bought the machine from and got a name of a man , and took it over there and he has quoted me a price and has ordered parts for lest than half the amount first quoted. I have had several other occassions of when I went up to the Bernina place where I felt they didn't care weather I was there or not. You need to be able to communicate with the people you buy your machine from.