No matter the product, if they are embarrassed to post a price, they don't want to sell it to me. I am too embarrassed to ask. I shopped exactly the same way when I had a large amount of money as I do today with very little money. When I bought my Brother NXQ quilting machine. I took the time to look at it, because it was the only machine in the shop that had a posted price.

I actually tried my 8900 at a store. I did see it online as a call for quote on every website. I ended up getting it at a different store than where I originally looked at it.

I bought a Low end Janome through mrvacandmrsswew online to save $80 off the dealer's cost. Very good customer service and very fast shipping. If I didn't have a dealer nearby and was ready to buy online, I'd use that company again. The second time I called the guy remembered me! I was impressed .

Try Allbrands.com. It's located in Baton Rouge, LA.

Machine pricing, esp. with the more expensive machines, has so many variables. Are you buying with CASH ...no trade, no financing, asking for freebies, etc? Customers need to be upfront too. That "trade" is the bargaining power for both sides of the deal but a dealer is not going to lose income either.

My best bargaining position is to pay with upfront cash without all of the drama of financing (you will pay top dollar) , trade in etc. (I had been saving for this.). I respected the dealer who posted the various buying options. (Not the brand I buy, btw.). I emailed my dealer last November just prior to Thanksgiving. I asked her to quote the best Black Friday price for cash, no trade on the mid-range machine I had been looking at. She shot the price back at me and I bought it. It was the floor model but my pocketbook was very happy and the machine is a dream. No regrets here.

sandy