The other method of starting is to leave long thread tails and gently pull them when starting to stitch. I've used both techniques.

About bobbin thread too short when using cutter - I think this applies to all machines with a vertical bobbin and a thread cutter. At times, it does cut too short. My Pfaff does it and I've seen questions in the Brother forum for a quilter doing the same thing. I don't use the cutter on the Pfaff, I do it the old way. Bring up bobbin thread and use a long tail.

It's definitely not you!
 

I have been having problems with the bobbin and the timing. The machine has been in the shop since before Christmas. Thank God I had a little Janome QDC2030 workhorse to finally get me through my Christmas sewing.

The technician called to say it was ready and that there was nothing wrong with it. It goes on the market as soon as I bring ti home!

Maybe you could sit down with the tech and figure out why it's having such a problem.

I agree with Annette. I'd discuss further with the tech and either demonstrate the issue, or take a video and show it to him/her.
I cringe to think of the poor unsuspecting soul who purchases a machine used, thinking it will work, and it doesn't.