That is my experience. I hear people say just go get a vintage machine. I have some but it was literally after years of looking. At every thrift store in my area every week. As many estate and garage sales as I could fit in. Few to be had and mostly in bad condition and overpriced. I just got lucky with the ones I have but if I waited to sew anything til I did find one and got it working I'd still be on quilt #1.