I'm a Viking/Husqvarna person and treated myself to an Opal 690q last year, but if there isn't a specific brand that you have found you like, I think it would be worth checking out the Costco deal because their customer service is great. If you don't like it or there are problems with it, you can take it back. You should check to see how far away an authorized repair center is, just to be sure it's a reasonable distance. Any other place, I suggest you try it out at the store first to be sure you like it. :-)