QuiltE

With that in mind, this should help narrow the field .... what brand(s) your local dealer(s) represent.
Of course, you may have many dealers close by.

Other considerations that I factor in ... while they service it, do they actually service it?
Too many shops offer servicing, yet send it out to someone else when the time comes.
Just something else that can go wrong ... and more delays in the turnaround time.

Also, what is their turnaround time for servicing?
For my dealer, I can make an appointment, and the machine is serviced the same day.
With a full time tech and general parts inventory, I have only had once where they did not have what was needed. Because there was going to be a considerable delay in getting the part, they set me up with another machine for the interim. That won a lot of brownie points!

Are lessons on the machine included?
Can you get one-on-one lesson/demo on a specific technique or WHY just by dropping by?
Are there people in the shop all the time that are knowledgeable on the machines ... and not just sales people! People that can help trouble shoot problems you may be having, whether it be sewing technique? or machine issues?

How do they value your used machine?
Eg. for my dealer (and I know some others that offer the same) ... if I want to trade my machine back within a year, I get the full value towards a different machine. This helps in two ways ... if you overbuy or hate the machine, you are not stuck! Or if once you get using it, you want one that is bigger and better ..... you could upgrade easily enough.

Most of the brands have good online comparative abilities, where you can find out the features between each of the models. It is always good to go in knowledgeable ... to be able to start out with I am thinking of A, B and C. Then go on from there.

When I bought one machine, I was seriously looking at model A ..... and was close to a decision. I turned to the dealer and said, if I don't go with this one, then what would be the next one or two above. He showed be the two and the differences. I went with the one above, as there were a couple of features that I really wanted. For the 2nd above, the extras just didn't seem to be what I wanted/needed ..... and later, had no regrets!

One thing I have learned ... usually go with one model better than you think you need. If you are going to be using it lots, your skills are going to improve and before long, you will want that better machine!

While I am not specifying any brands or models, I hope this give you some food for thought towards your purchase.