Also, they can be cheaper at the big box store because they don't provide any service.

Any repairman that can service a Janome should be able to service a Wal-Mart Janome.

Some repairman won't though if they know they were bought at Walmart. Just tell them it was a gift. JoANn's and Walmart have had Janomes for quite awhile atleast down here in Corpus Christi. ANd Brother. just make sure the box has not been tampered with. I saw a gal pull a part out then put it back. Luckily, so did security. They got her on shoplifting.

Patrice is right - there are different Janomes out there and the low end model are very rarely sold by dealers because they don't have much of a profit margin than on the high end models. Janome knows there are people out there that will not walk into a dealer's shop because the customer doesn't think they can afford their machines. By getting them noticed and loved by selling in the Big Box stores they will attract those customers as their interests and financial situations improve. Very few people start at a dealer or buying top end machines.

When I was growing up there were Singer dealers all over the place, I think there are very few if any left. I remember seeing one not too long ago but was not able to check it out. Dealers are getting fewer and further apart, not because of the Big Box stores but because the sewing machine is not in every home like it used to be. We need those dealers so we can get our machines serviced.

My local dealer services any machine I have, no matter where I buy it. I hope that all of you have a great dealer like I do.

Your Janome dealer is not considering those who may have just moved into your area. That would make me a little upset with them and to not buy anything from them.

Someone on here wrote to I think it was brother and heard back that if you buy model XYZ at Wal Mart or dealer they are the same machine. I am sure your machines are higher end models, but I for one cannot afford the high end machines at a dealer if I can get the same one for hundreds less somewhere else. I have never had a lesson and read the manual if I have a question.

I was the one who wrote the Brother company. They are all the same quality machines in their respective price range. Only difference is the Dealer chooses not to sell the lower priced ones. People are so conditioned to believe only buying at a dealer you get a better machine. The one thing taking a beating is one's wallet.

We went to a dealer to buy my embroidery machine, her price was hundreds more than what we wanted to pay. I found the same one at a lower price online. She wouldn't even offer to meet prices, I've never been back there.

I don't believe any machines are inferior quality. You pay for all the bells and whistles you want. These are probably basic.

Everyone has the right to pay as much or more for any machine they want.
I have bought two machine on line and one from a shop. There was no advantage to buying at a shop. From now on I will buy on line. I only use straight stitch only machines w/ 9" throat.

I just want to mention that my post was edited and I didn't say anything against the rules. Geez.