Brother PE 780 D - $550
 

Is this a good deal? I found it on Craigslist.

It's not a fabulous deal - but not a bad one. I recently bought a new Brother 390D for $600. It has just a 4x4 embroidery area. I bought it because I wanted a small portable machine and figured I might as well add a new function, so got the embroidery. I actually like this little machine a lot - and the limited embroidery I have done has been great. So, in my very limited opinion, if you want the embroidery module on a nice sewing machine - I might go for it. If you don't care about the embroidery, don't pay for it. The one you are looking at has a 5x7 embroidery area.

Yesterday, I just bought a brand new PE 780 for $1200. The Graigslist one sounds like a deal. But I like the reassurance of having the warranty and unlimited lessons. I traded a PE 150 which couldn't do much of anything. My first lesson is Monday. I'm not one for understanding manuals or maybe I just don't have enough confidence in myself.

I bought my Brother 770 on Amazon.. for me, no tax, free shipping. Of course now it's $50 cheaper... grrrr. Well. It is what it is. It's currently $560 http://www.amazon.com/Brother-PE770-.../dp/B002MQI2NM

I'm not sure what the 780 gets you.
I'm also going to be buying some extra hoops on Ebay. There are some generics available including the multi position 5x12 hoop which I'm interested in getting for when I want to make something longer. For under $80 I'll be able to get the whole set... It would make mass producing something a lot quicker. If you want to do two of a design, you can have two hoops going so you would just change hoops after each color change then repeat that color on the second hoop before you move on.

Well - I found a PE 270D for $200 on Craigslist last night and decided I didn't want to compromise on the embroidery area by the 4"x4" limitation. It's a great deal, I know, but I really want a bigger stitching area. I know I wouldn't be happy with the smaller area. Kick me .... I know....

I have the 780D, LOVE it and paid $1000.

780 is a disney machine, that is a super cheap price (if it works & is complete...and you kow how to use it)