Pros/Cons??

There is one on my Craigslist for 300?? Retail is 1200??

thanks
robin

Do a search using the search feature above.

Is this a new or used machine? I'm not sure if this was one of the models involved, but a few days ago there was a thread about an entire shipping container of Janome machines being stolen. Its a good machine, but I would be suspicious of the price at which they're offering it.

Just got this alert from my dealer:

"We are sad to report that an entire cargo container of JANOME Memory Craft 11000SE machines valued at over $1.7 million dollars was stolen on its way to the JANOME warehouse in New Jersey. We have a list of all of the serial numbers, and just want to caution you that if you happen to see a JANOME Memory Craft 11000SE for sale on the internet, you are probably looking at stolen goods and the FBI will be looking at it, too. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Paramount."

So beware if you see a too-good-to-be-true deal on the Internet. If it turns out to be one of the stolen machines, I am pretty sure the police can confiscate it and you will be out your money and the machine.

I have a 6500 and love it! Have had it about 7 years.

Draw backs ~ the weight - about 25 lbs, because of the size, it did not fit in the inexpensive totes. But now that 'more' of the machine are getting larger, more totes are available at more prices.

I LIKE ~ 9" throat area, it gave me the confidence to learn FMQ. Knee lift is wonderful, my third hand ;) In all the years that I have had my 6500 it has not given me any troubles.

I've had a 6500 for about eight years and really love it. It is a real workhorse. The throat area is big enough for a queen size quilt. Mine cost $1200 new.

I have one and love it. Having the longer harp is nice.

I have had mine since last Dec. I like it alot! Bought it new.

I have had a love/hate relationship with my Janome 6500 (I think they built it at 4:55 pm on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend) but I finally have had it repaired (had to take it to another dealer) and now know its ins and outs. $300 is definately a good price for this machine (I paid $2000 new). It likes to veer off at seam junctions or thicker spots and jams and knots up frequently at the beginning of a seam. Make sure you also oil the little wick hole (it's not fuzz) under the bobbin case or your machine will rattle, knock and jam. I actually put my needle right through the bobbin case before I found out about this oiling spot (not in the manual and didn't hear it from my dealer). The best info that I got was on the Janome 6500/6600 sewing online forum. I like the larger harp and it does a good job of FM. The built in buttonholer will not handle large or thick buttons. My dealer charged $4.99 for a replacement light bulb and then I found that identical light bulb at my local farm/tractor dealership for $.51 and they last longer! At that price, inspite of its "issues" I'd buy the machine and watch out for the problems.

I bought a used 6500 from a dealer last May. I love it. Will never buy any other brand and for me, a novice quilter, this machine is a rock star! Has all the bells and whistles that I need for now. Doubt I'll ever trade this one.

That's a great price for a 6500!

I have Janome 6600, and love it.

Love my 6500!!!!!!

I've been using mine for about 8 years and still love it. My only complaint is that it doesn't have a thread-cutter. Oh well! I'll never part with my MC6500P.

There was no mention of putting oil on the wick but fortunately I wasn't able to pry it out thinking it was a stubborn piece of lint! I have had some issues with my 6 year old 6500. It does tend to eat the beginning stitches so I always sew a little piece of scrap first. The bobbin winder doesn't work anymore but buying a sidewinder was much cheaper than a repair. One of the spool holders started slanting and then broke off. Fortunately it has two, as a replacement would be very expensive. Occasionally on the straight stitch it will start out in a funky forward and backward pattern but clears if I reset the stitch number. Most of the stitches default to a 2.2 stitch length which is much tighter than I like. The automatic thread cutter leaves longer length than I like so I recut them with a scissors before I donate them to a children's charity. Even with it's problems they are all workable and I love this machine!!

Oh gosh, you made me look. I thought I was going crazy there for a minute because I KNOW I have a thread cutter and I THOUGHT I had a 6500 so I checked Janome and found "Automatic thread cutter, with memory capability" listed in "features" for the 6500. So since I think Im good on what machine I have I'll add my review by saying I love mine !!!!!

Slap my face and call me stupid. My Janome does have a thread cutter -- I've been using my Bernina 440 lately and it DOES NOT have a thread cutter. Guess I'm getting senile. Sorry about the mix-up!!!
:roll:

I have the 9500 also! It has been wonderful! The price on ebay that your looking at sounds way to good to be true! I would be very very leary! Remember the 9500 is a computerized machine and I would question the condition for that price. Used ones usually go for much more.