I agree - I want them to stay in business, but frankly if they are charging $1899 for a machine you can get on the internet for $529, they aren't going to. As customers we need to be knowledgeable. If we want the service they offer we need to be willing to pay the extra price. But it doesn't mean we need to be taken advantage of.

I agree. I've had my machine over 2 years and I get free lessons for as long as I like. There is a lot to my machine and my dealer is 1 1/2 hours away, so I love that I can continue to go to him for lessons for as long as I like. Plus, whenever I have a problem, I take it in and he fixes it for free. Usually it's thread wrapped around the bobbin case and that is something I cannot fix. Usually it's owner error and he's happy to help for free. I know my other machine, I take it to that dealer and they charge me $79 just for starts, no matter what is wrong with it. I like my more expensive machine and all the free help and classes. I know a lot of people don't like people who own nicer machines, but isn't it a choice we get to make?

I agree!!! I am in the market for a new machine, my most recent one I bought new in 1986! If I am willing to pay the high prices in a small local store I sure think I should get what I pay for EVEN if I were to move in a year or two. That could be my situation. We are looking to make a retirement move but aren't sure when that will be. I started looking at machines a year ago and am getting very anxious to get a new one, but if we move soon I will loose out on the classes that I will have paid for. In my situation the classes will be vital, since my machine is so old, it will be learning a new language for me. Like a car, the entire warrenty and classes should go with you.