My husband just talked to our local Bernina dealer. They have a brand new Bernina 440 QEE, it has BSR and embroidery package for $3249 plus tax. Is this a good deal? He asked about size hoops, they have a 150mm x 400 mm for $215. He thinks if we did it, maybe we could get them to throw in the hoop. I'm terrible at negotiating but he said maybe he could do it for me. They're offering 0% financing for 36 month too.

So what do y'all think? Todd said for me to consult the quilting board and see what the thoughts were.

Thanks!

Most machines come with at least the hoops that they use. By all mean, the hoops should be a part of the package, not an accessory. Because you are financing your machine, he may not be that negotiable on the price but haggling never hurts. Times are tough, most dealers are making their money from cleaning and repairs of machines, not on sales.

I bought my Bernina this way, (36 months) If you do it just make sureyou pay it off or the interest rates will swamp you. I bought mine in 2005 and paid 3600 so I would say this is a good deal. It should come with 2 hoops but it is worth a shot to get them to throw in a bigger one.. or maybe some thread or stabilzer even.

I would definitely ask for the bigger hoop and extras too... they leave wiggle room for negotiations. Also this time of year they seem to like to get as many sales in as possible :wink: :D:D:D

If it is a QEE make sure the walking foot is included as well. The Quilters Edition machines are supposed to include the 1/4" foot and the walking foot as well as a few other feet. Bernina feet are pricey, the walking foot is well over $100.00 so make sure that is included.

The price of the machine sounds like a good deal if it is including the BSR and embroidery module. I looked at one over the summer that was on sale and for the 440 it was one or the other for the special sale price, I don't think it included both but my memory has really sucked lately and i could be mistaken. At the time I was lusting after a longarm and could not consider a new sewing machine. I am pretty sure the sale price was right around what you said.

The walking foot retails for $175.00.

That sounds like a great deal to me. My dealer has the 440 QE, without the embroidery, for $4000.

Here the 440QE w/o the embroidery module is $3300. Recent sale $3168 (it was hard not to laugh at that tiny difference). The $3300 was the same at my closest 2 dealers. I'm thinking about a used Pfaff Creative Vision instead since I LOVE the IDT on my Babylock Quest Plus. But unsure about buying a used machine.

I had no idea when I posted this that I might end up with a used Bernina 440 for $1900, w/o embroidery module (for which I have no need), but I just did!