Well, here it is :)

Sunday I went to the show and have been given price freezes by three vendors on one machine each. However, only one seems to be worth considering; the other two, one is just a regular price and the other is actually more expensive than what folks on http://sewing.patternreview.com paid for theirs. So much for the "show deals."

It leaves me with one machine which seems to be priced reasonably ($1100) and also the one I liked the most. There is only one thing I wish it had, the auto cutter, but otherwise it seemed fine. It's the Baby Lock Quest Plus and I would get an additional 9 quilting accessory feet.

Since there is little information out there about the Quest Plus compared to the Quest, I emailed to the manufacturer to see what exactly was different from the previous model, the Quest -- on their web page, aside from one extra foot, nothing jumped out. Here is their reply:

Now, I heard that the Quest had issues with the reverse, but nothing was mentioned about the Quest Plus... someone posted on another board that:

I was pressed for time since it was my last machine and the show ended so I actually never even used the reverse on it. I need to go for another test drive and make sure this is the one.

The other two machines I am considering right now are:

I'm open to comments and if you know of a comparable machine of didn't consider, please lmk.

Thanks :)

Almost There :thumbup:

That price seems good for the Janome 6600. I was at a quilt show in Burbank, CA. three week ago the show special was $1449, but the Quest Plus was only $999.

The show price for the Quest Plus was also 999, but b/c I wouldn't buy it at the show, I got the next best price.

If you go to the patternreview.com and look at the mc6600p, most people there paid less than 1399 which leads me to believe that it's not the best price. Not so with the Quest.

It sounds like the manufacturer made improvements over the first model. Go take another test drive :D :D

Anyone here that owns a Quest Plus and would like to share their thoughts about it?

I'm starting to wonder about the machine's merit :)

I can't comment personally on any of the machines you are looking at (I have a Bernina 153QE, LOVE it, although all metal so heavy), but wanted to give you one more thing to think about. On another forum, there's a gal who just bought the Quest for $700, as it is being discontinued for the new and improved model. Like you, she found little difference in the actual machines. But as it is considered discontinued, the dealer was willing to give her a great deal; perhaps you could find a dealer willing to do the same.

Good luck with your choice!

i haven't finished this thread, but what did they pay for s/h?

I have the Janome 6600 and I paid $1499 for it last September. Janome had large price increases Jan/Feb this year. I love my Janome and would recommend it to anyone. I have no experience with the BabyLock, so I can't compare.

Are you referring to the mc6600p folks? I don't know. I've seen places that have free shipping if you spend a certain amount and buying this machine qualifies.

I am, also, very interested in the Quest Plus, although I have not seen it. There are discussions at Pattern Review in the Message Board, plus reviews about the Janome and the Quest. I like the idea of the built in dual feed with several snap-on feet that can be used with it, the front load bobbin (rotary hook?) and the larger harp space. It comes with some extras, 1/4 in. foot, another plate, the table, etc., that are an extra cost with other machines. Let us know how you like it.
Mary Ellen