ok, no one has said it so i will..........this was beyond snobbery this was bullying and it should not be tolerated

You sound like someone that I would like to have as a friend!

That is crazy. Last year I took a class where my now current machine (viking Ruby) would have not only made my life easier but would have fit into what all of the others in the class had. I had a small Kenmore/Janome with a bunch of decorative stitches. It does a great job. Not one time did anyone in that class put my machine down. As a matter of fact the only mention of my machine was that it was so quiet compared to the others and then when potential students were looking at what we were doing and having their doubts about their machines being able to do that type of work the teacher pointed out that I had done everything on my domestic machine and mine was just as nice as the others. The class was great; the quilt turned out great, it was manipulating fabric and each block was different so I learned so many new techniques and I also learned a lot more things that I could do with my machine. I now have a nice big machine but Kenmore still goes to class with me; unless it's the embroidery club and then it has to stay home. I'd voice my opinion to the store owner and if that was the the way it would be and you had a choice I'd switch stores. People have machines for different reasons; some have the ones they have for cost and would love to go bigger others have the domestic ones because it gets the job done and they love their machine. No matter what the reason or machine you should only be encouraged to learn more on it. Good luck in the future.

Sorry about your experience. I have a Slimplicity that I purchased from QVC. I have never had anyone refuse a quilt because of the make of the machine or where it was purchased. Just keep pouring love into your quilts and all who receive them will love them also. BrendaK

I took a class years ago where I was the one with the lowest end machine in the class, not that anyone made a big deal about it. I just figured some day I would be able to afford a higher end machine. Well over time I became more realistic about what I actually do with my sewing machine. I recently purchased a Brother 1500S that I just love. It has no bells and whistles, it isn't even electronic but it does exactly what I want it to do. The quality of the stitches is as good as I have seen on any machine and it has enough power to sew any intersection of seams without a hiccup. I'm rambling a bit but what I really want to say is that even if you can afford it, the super fancy isn't always the best choice. As others have said, "If it works for you.....".

I drove for an hour to buy my new machine in Nov. I wanted to buy from someone who treated like a good customer no matter how muck I spent. I did not get the most expensive machine, but was helped in finding what I wanted and could affort. Free lesson on the machine IF I bought it from them, otherwise a small fee.

I encountered something similar a few years ago. I was looking for a light that I could attach to my Brother CS-6000i. The woman in the store asked me what machine I had and when I told her she stuck her nose in the air and said they didn't carry anything that would work for a "Brother". I won't tell you what I thought about her attitude. :)

Last year I bought a Janome 7700 because I wanted the larger harp area and it is a lovely machine - but I still love that little Brother and it isn't going anywhere - except to classes because it is very portable and the Janome is NOT.

I did pay for a basic quilting class at my LQS (BTW it was my LQS that recommended the Brother as a good 'starter' machine) and I've taken a couple of other classes there as well. I have no problem paying for classes - I think that is only fair - but as someone else mentioned here there is a ton of information on line and I've learned a lot that way, too.

Anyway, if your machine does what you want and need then that's all that is required. Find someone that will respect what you do and not be critical of the tools you use.

Diito here. I have a 18 yr old Janome and even though it has fancy stitches and such it still is an outdated machine to some. I use what I have and wherever I can find it. The people on here have never made a difference in members and I think that WQuilt shops should take a lesson from them. Just my opinion of course

I bought two new machines last year. (Spent my annual bonus on ME for a change.) I didn't buy any of them from my local dealer where I had expressed an interest in one of them. Why? Because my local dealer's "rock bottom" prices on both machines were way higher - near retail - than the prices quoted by two other dealers and there was no room to negotiate even though three other dealers within an hour's drive were selling at a lower price.

I was scheduled for a demo class for one of the machines that I had to cancel and get back a small deposit I'd put on a machine I eventually decided not to buy. My DH did this for me and told them that HE had purchased the machine on teh spur of the moment as a surprise for me. Not true, but he was fearful that they would be mad that I didn't buy from them.

Well, next time my DH and I went into that store, you wouldn't believe the dirty looks we received. If looks could kill. I did recently - after nine months - go back and was treated better but I will always feel uncomfortable there.

Sad that they can't understand that long term they'll make a lot more money on me from my purchase of fabrics, notions, class materials etc. than they'd have made on the machine.