I recently bought the SQ9185 at Walmart and have had no problems with it. They are guaranteed through Brother so if you have problems you can get help. I am still in the "learning" phase as I have never used a computerized machine before but so far so good.

Brother does have some really great sales right now. I know there is a difference in the machines made for big box stores, Walmart, etc but I bought a top of the line printer once from Costco, saved alot over the dealer and it lasted forever. I haven't bought any machines from Walmarts so I can't say but check out the warranty and I think you can buy an additional warranty from them too.

I would buy it with no worry. Walmart has a simple return policy. Sew the devil out of it for a couple of weeks to see if it is what you want. You have nothing to lose. No dealer I have ever been to will let you return the cheapest machine they sell because you don't like it.

I have SQ9000. It is 5 1/2 years old, and has NEVER had to go to the shop. I would say go for it.

I love my Brothers! I have 4 of them and never have problems with them - except for pilot error. Documentation is superb as well.

If the model # is the same it is the same machine. Sometimes what comes with it may vary but thats it. Someone on here got that info from Brother several years ago.

I bought the SQ9000 about 2-3 yrs. ago and love it. Wal-mart 199.00. I do all my machine quilting on it. Can't do stippling on my big brother PC8200. I don't think the buy will be a mistake.

I was told the same thing regarding the Brother PE770 embroidery machine. I called Brother directly and they told me they were the same exact machine and that there was no difference in what is manufactured.

I wouldn't buy anything from Chinamart... Buy from a reputable dealer.

It's the same way with Walmart and rifles. They can order so many that they can have them made by the manufacturer at a lesser standard... hence the lower prices. You really do get what you pay for.

Looks like this is an old thread, but FWIW, I had this model of sewing machine for about 4 years. I used it VERY heavily ... we're talking hours and hours of commercial-type use almost every single day. Even with me running it so hard, it still sewed just fine even 4-ish years later, but it was making some odd noises, so I eventually replaced it with another Brother (# PC-420, which has more features and a bigger throat).

With average household/personal use, I'm sure it would last for many, many years. I feel that it was well worth the money. :)

Edit: I bought mine at Walmart.