I see lots of questions on board right now about embroidery machines. I'm questioning just "regular" machines. I've searched the threads and read everything I can get my hands on about both Bernina and Janome.

Here's my story, though. I'd love to hear your input!

I have two dealers in town. One sells Bernina, one sells Janome. I originally wanted the Bernina so have been there twice to test drive and talk to the salesperson. I have a dislike for the store in general, just due to some past experience I've had there, but I guess the Bernina employees solely handle the Bernina part and you don't have to deal with the "regular" personnel. I thought I had decided on the Aurora 430. It did concern me that I went 2 days in a row and talked to 2 different people, the first of whom really wasn't impressive.

Today I went to my "favorite" quilt shop to look at Janomes. The owner herself sat down with me and spent a good 45 minutes going over the 6600P and letting me test drive it. She was very nice, answered all my questions, just had customer service down pat.

So, my question is, looking at the whole big picture, which machine do I go with? Figuring that this is a major investment and that I will likely have dealings in the future with them, having the machine serviced, etc, makes me want to go with the Janome just because I like the people better. In addition, I take quilting classes there and likely buy most of my fabric there.

But, will I regret not getting a Bernina while I had the chance??? I guess I have just not heard one single bad thing about Bernina, while there seem to have been a few glitches with the Janome....

Thanks for sticking with me and reading through all this! I'd love any input at all you can give me...

I love my Bernina and wouldn't give it up for anything. Any issues I had were, as the sales lady jokingly (and correctly) stated "Located between the seat and the machine" :-D .

My favorite lqs is also a Janome dealer and I know she really believes the Janome is a better machine, but for me there is only the Bernina.

I love my janome and have yet to have an issue with it. (6600P) If it were me I would look at the features of the machine, they probly have a few things different about them and go with the one that you really want. Just because that Bernina dealer is not very user friendly does not mean that you couldnt find another shop that is. Even if it means a drive, because thats an investment worth making.

What features does the Aurora have that the 6600P have that the other doesn't? And vice-versa? I've never had any problems with my Janome. I think if you look for problems you'll find them with ANY brand, including Bernina and Janome.

you said you were looking for an embroidery machine. i am wildly in love with my Janome 6600p, but it doesn't do embroidery. there are some letters built in for monogramming, but no embroidery.

you sound to me as though you've already decided which machine you want. you are now trying to choose between the people who sell them. neither of them is coming home with you to be a part of your family and sew with you as the years roll on.

if the Bernina is the one that makes your heart go pitty-pat and you can afford it, then that's the one you should get. just make sure to tell the sales people they almost lost the sale and why. their next customer might benefit from your input.

If the shop you buy from happens to close, which has the closest dealer to go to? That would be one consideration. Bernina's have a great reputation. I haven't heard one negative about any of their machines. Janome is a great brand too but I think Janome manufacturers in mass quantity compared to the Bernina so some glitches will be in more machines. It would be a hard decision but one I don't the opportunity to make!

Thanks everyone for your input so far. In actuality, I am not looking for an embroidery machine. First and foremost I am looking for a machine for quilting, and I'm not sure how much I would use the embroidery features. The Bernina has lots of embroidery features on it, which is a bonus if that's what I decide I like doing, but that's an unknown for me now....

Ugh...decisions decisions...it's kind of like trying to choose between the red or black car :)

do they both have the different kinds of feet that you would be interested in?
are any additional parts comparable in price? can the dealers supply them for you?
how long does it take to get parts? i ask this because on the viking, the dealer i use says he gets the parts from europe and they take forever to get here.
i don't believe the first part, but i do believe the second part. (i only needed a foot pedal. i burned out the first one and the viking has a special one, of course)

do they both have differential feed? test drive them a lot and see what feels good.

if you're truly on the fence, i would go with the janome.

the main reason being the economic recession and since you love that shop you might want to support them during these difficult times.

the other reason would be if you don't plan on using the embroidery features that often it at all why pay the extra money for it.

i don't know what the prices you were quoted for both machines and if there is a big difference in the price point.

I think I would go with the Janome. I would feel better buying from a shop I feel at ease in.