My 1st serger was a Baby Lock Protege (I think I got it in 1997). Paid $400 and back then I thought it was a lot of money, But it did last me until about Feb. 2015 and it started smoking. 18 years of heavy use..I do alterations. I had to get another one, so I got a Baby Lock Evolution for much more than I wanted to spend, But I wanted the Cover Stitch and self threading. What brand does Walmart carry ? You could read reviews on the machine. I guess it depends on how much you use it. How about one that was traded in where they sell sewing machines or on CL ?