I have had one for 2 years. Bought it to take to classes but now I do all my piecing with it. GREAT MACHINE ! Never had any problems. I've never had bobbin thread snarls. I agree it was threaded wrong. My guess they put the bobbin in the wrong way (there are instructions on the bobbin cover). Love the portal sewing table that come with it. With moving he needle you can get a perfect scant 1/4 inch seam. You won't be disappointed.