I'm sure Holice did not mean to be offensive. I was pretty much going to say the same thing! :-D

Of course I agree with everyone about checking all of the machines and test driving them. However the most important thing that you need to ask yourself is where am I going to get service and support after the purchase. This is by far the most important part of the purchase. If I had not had the support of my dealer after the purchase of my first machine I would have quit right there. Also check the hours that the dealer or company that you are buying from is open. I find that a lot of dealers are closing at 5pm and not open on Sunday's and are otherwise limiting their hours of operation. It seems to me that if you are going to be sewing as most of us do if we have have a full time job it is on nights and weekends when a lot of dealers are closed. That is one reason that I went with Viking. Just my 2 cents worth.

Also as far as a walking foot not coming with the Mega Quilter it is because it was really designed and packaged to go on a quilting frame therefore no need for a walking foot.

I have a brother PQ1500 that I just love. The throat is 9 inches

Print out the best price from a web site and take it to your local shop.
They will bend over backwards to match the price.
The benefit is you will have future service at your local shop.

are you getting the walking foot that snaps on or you have to use a screw to put on. I have the screw on and would like to have a snap on but they are expensive.

I have a Husqavarna Saphire and love it. It has 12-13" space and works great for Queen or King quilts.

My Sapphire 830 measures 10 inchs from the needle to the end of the throat.
It is so much easier to shove a quilt thru but I will not go bigger than a lap size with it.
The only thing I do not like about my machine is the short space you have to change feet and thread the needle and my hand gets in the way. It has a threader but to lazy to learn to use it. You have to take the screw out to put on the walking foot,and the free motion feet a real pain.
With a set in table it is a hassel to push the button to lower the feed dogs, I have to lift my inset to get to it. These are small gripes and love my machine.

You are right it is only 10". But it still works with queen and king. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I love my machine.

The Sapphire is a great machine but for long arm Ive got to go a different way.
I just bought the Imperial quilt frame, a straight stitch machine and a stitch regulator. If I cant quilt a quilt with that I will give up. Its in lay away right now.
I only make up to lap size but want to go bigger and it is tough enough pushing a small quilt thru let alone a bed size.

I agree with her answer to your question. I bought a used Pfaff, which I love, at a Babylock dealership. My only other suggestion would be to choose the dealer and his/her shop carefully. If you like the people there, you may enjoy your machine even more.