Were you unhappy with the Berninas? Why not check out the new 7 Series. I have the 750 and it has an optional embroidery unit available (which I don't have yet, I don't do embroidery, but would like to give it a try). The 780 comes standard with the emboidery (it's not a stand alone embroidery machine as a previous poster said). If you use the 820 as trade in, I'm sure your dealer would be able to make you a nice deal.

My apologies for the faux pas!
The lady I mentioned was using it strictly as embroidery, thus, why I was thinking so.

As others have said I don't think I would want someone else selling my machine. Couple of questions - What does the Elissimo have that the Bernina doesn't - is it just embroidery that you are looking for? I think if that is all I think before I did anything else I would go back to the Bernina dealer (unless it is the same one) and see what kind of trade you could work out for the 830 or 780. If it is the same dealer, and you still wanted to do the Elissimo you might try putting an ad in your or a local guilds newsletter and see if you might be able to sell it there. I am assuming you aren't comfortable putting it on Craig's List or ebay yourself.

Re taking what you get..you can put a "reserve" price and if it doesn't bid that much, you don't have to sell. If I had been doing business with the dealer, and knew him, I would trust him. I am assuming you do not have a selling acct at eBay and he does. He makes the gesture to help you, and keep your future business. It may be that he just doesn't have success selling used machines. My 2 cents worth.

I have the Ellisimo and LOVE it. I had a Bernina 180e and when I got ready to move up to a newer model - did look at the Bernina 830 and the 580, 780 series of embroidery machines.

I chose the E because it was so simple and intuitive. It was fast and a dream machine.

If I were to buy a machine now, I would keep the 820 (if you love it) and buy one of the new BL embroidery only machines.