My husband bought a reconditioned Brother SE270D from Overstock. I've had it about 10 years and it was my "daily driver" for about 7.
I bought a Janome 1600DB and a Brother Nouvelle 1500 both from friends who were upgrading. Love my Brother 1500.
Had a non-sewing friend who inherited a treadle Singer from his mom, he was just going to throw it away or donate it because he didn't see why anyone would want a treadle. I literally yanked it out of his hands. Took it home and sold it for him on CL for $200. Met the buyer at a Starbucks and let her check it out and sew on it.
A lot of times you can let your local quilt shop and guild know you're in the market, you'd be surprised at how many people are thinking about selling their machines.