I made my decision and really happy
 

After asking about sewing machines on QB and talking to people for several months I decided to buy a Janome 6600P and am very happy with this machine. I have had it for about 3 weeks and so far has done everything well. It has nice room for my hands, which is the prime reason I upgraded, more space, is faster, everything works so nicely and the Accufeed is awesome.

I had thought to buy a used one in good condition but my dh and I decided that warranty, etc. was important. After checking all over the place and on line, they seem to have the prices fixed at one spot 1699.00 and that was it. No shipping only buy at a dealers. This annoyed me as it seems unfair they can say you can only buy from dealers and no one will come down or talk to you if you want to ship. Because I like Janomes so well and this was the machine that made sense to me I went with it. I am really happy with the machine but not how they market them. Wondered if this ever bothered anyone else. Anyway, when I go to my studio I am excited to sit down at that machine, yippee. Thanks for the help from everyone during the past months.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I do find it annoying trying to get any info. or pricing on alot of the machines, only available thru dealer, ERGGG!!!! Hope you have a lot of great sewing time with your new baby!!!!!!!!!

I find it annoying as I buy all kinds of things online, including my sewing machine and serger. In this instance though I don't think they are trying to control how you shop so much as your experience with your new machine and how dealers support it. They want to be sure you get full instruction and machine support at this price point. They want you happy with the machine. To ensure that they want your to test it and have somewhere to go if you have questions. You can't get that by shopping online.

I like Janome sewing machines but if the company knew how bad many of the dealers were they wouldn't be so concerned about selling online.

I hear Janomes are good machines. Good for you that you found an affordable one with a warranty.

All babylocks are like that. None are allowed to be sold online, must go through a dealer unless someone is selling them used. I can understand why though because a with a high end machine getting it from a dealer matters if you have problems with it, whereas a cheap machine is easily replaced by another cheap machine and you are not likely to go to a dealer to fix it. I do wish they would list prices online though instead of just info on machines, than you can have some idea what they are being sold for in case a dealer is too high in price. With no knowledge, what can you compare it to

Great choice! I'd love to see a photo of your quilting room.

Hi Christine, I would love to put a photo up of my sewing/quilting/junk room. Will have to take some more. Right now it is in a mess with a big project's going on. I am still loving my machine.!

I bought my 6600 online, new, for $1500, 7 years ago. Great machine! Have never needed service. (knock on wood)

Weird. I had mine shipped to me from my dealer here in Poland because he was 4-5 hours away by car. But maybe because it's Poland, it's different. I found the dealer on line. Janome Horizon.

I am so glad you found your dream machine. I guess I am getting cranky in my old age. I just don't put up with things like I used to. Before I purchased my Babylock (at the dealers) I was researching a certain Singer serger. Now I had already heard that Singer was supposedly not as good as the old one, but I wanted to test this particular serger. So I called our local dealer to make sure they had one I could sit down and test. And what do they do?? They start telling me how awful it is, you can't get parts, you would not be happy with this, you should look at this machine instead. I ended up sending Singer an email. I am sorry but if your a dealer and presenting that company, you should not bad mouth them. I did receive a reply to my email too. Singer was very dissappointed in hearing this was the way the dealer was representing their Brand.

The sad part is, what if, Singer was good again, what if they were producing high end machines that work wonderful and no one gave them a chance because of Dealers like the one I ran into. I personally just think its bad practice for any dealer to do that. Needless to say when I went shopping for my new machine, I did not even bother to visit their store. I would never purchase from them, even if they were the only place in town.

Personally I think they should post their prices online, and just explain you have to come into the store to purchase it. For alot of folks that would save alot of driving around from dealer to dealer. As it seems they all carry more than one brand of sewing machine, and some carry the same as others.

I also have a 6600P and love it! I purchased it used (1 year old) from my local dealer- with warranty. The previous owner upgraded to the 7700.

Congrats and enjoy!

Congratulations! I hope you love it as much as I love my 6600. Great machine!!

I don't understand the price differences. I got mine in June 2011 for $1300--and it was purchased in Fairfax, VA, which is a high cost-of-living suburb of DC.

I was recently searching for new machine also and was frustrated with the lack of price information available. Almost all the info I got was word of mouth from quilting friends. I talked to lots of people with all different brands of machines including a girl in one of my quilt classes who purchased a Janome online I think through Amazon? I ended up purchasing a baby lock from a nearby dealer. I love the machine and am super satisfied with the service I got at the dealer. Plus I got a lifetime 20% discount card for any items in their quilt shop and they are only 10 minutes from my house. :-)

Bought my Brother from a dealer - you can't get that for going to a dealer either sometimes. Might as well have bought my machine online.

Glad you found a machine you love! I have a Janome, and at some point I want a higher-end one. My Janome dealer is a sweetheart and I send him all the business referrals I can. Have fun with your new machine!

I so agree....the dealers are there to help you. And you also get the technical support as many dealers have in-house techs. Dealers have many affordable machines as well as the high end machines.

Bernina is like that too. They don't even allow you to advertise the price online.

I just went on line to see what your machine looked like and they had it on sale for $999.00 plus
free shipping.

I just got the 6600 recently too, and I'm in love with mine as well! Not one bit of buyer's remorse. It's so nice not to have to coax it over more then 4 layers of quilting cotton!

I have a highend Janome & I love it. The dealer & sales people are terrific with helping me with it if I need it & I've had it for about 2yrs.

Congratulations. I have 3 Janome's: memory craft (over 20 years old)and still going strong, 10001 sewing and embroidery and 4 cone serger. Love them all and have never had a problem. Recently purchased a Juki and it is great also just for piecing and quilting.

Hi,
I have this machine and love it. I bought it 3 years ago from a local Janome dealer. It only cost me $1299.

i've had my 6600 almost 2 years now. LOVE IT!!!! I got mine on sale in Dec of 2011 and paid 1175 and the dealer threw in a quarter accufeed foot. Have Fun

I bought my 6600 in May and just love it!!! But not doing a whole lot of sewing in this HOT weather!!! No air ..... so spending a lot of time in my pool :)

jody

Amathyst02, I agree with you there, even if they did make really great machines now who would know. I did talk to a lady that bought a singer quantum something on here and was very very happy with it and she had other machines as well. So you never know. Everyone has an opinion I think it is best to try them out and look around. Also one time a Viking dealer did the same thing to me, he asked what kind of serger I had and I told him, he preceded to tell me how bad of a machine they were, I thought jeepers this guy is nuts.lol Needless to say that in the Past 38 years I have never bought a machine from him. I shop elsewhere.

That is so nice to know that you are happy with your machine! Makes me feel more secure in my decision! Thanks.

Thank you Wanda. I don't understand the price difference either, because we live don't live in a high price suburb. She said that was their sale price because the msrp was something like 2400.00 I think a lot of times they just say that with the higher msrp. She is a Bernina dealer also and all of their prices were like 3,000 off of the MSRP and had been for several months.

Just makes one wonder if prices are so hidden because they try and get what they can, sort of like new cars. Or make the machines seem more "valuable" because of what one has to go through to get one.

I bought a 6600P 3 yrs ago & love it. I had 2 dealers within 1/2 hr drive in either direction & both had the same price & were very helpful. I eventually bought from the shop that I take my quilts classes from, not as big of a city to drive around in. An other reason for buying from her is I could go in @ any time & take my free lessons on the machine. Sells fabric also!!