Shopping for a HQ Sweet 16
 

Has anyone bought one of these machines online? What was your experience? What is a good price to pay for a new vs. used machine?

I'm shopping for one, but there are quite a few resources and I want to get the best deal for the money.

Thanks for your help!

Stitch124

I just wanted to mention that if you decide to buy online, be sure to search for coupon codes before placing your order. Sometimes you can get quite a bit off that way. I ran across them when I was researching sewingmachinesplus.com for a different purchase.
Here's a sample:
http://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/84438/Se...inesPlus.com#b
but there are a number of websites that list coupons. It's a good idea to check out all of them, as some are better deals than others.

Check out the HQ_Sit_Down_Model Yahoo Group. You may get your questions answered, and even leads for a used machine there. I would not mind buying a used Sweet 16 - it is a really nice machine. You would have to decide if you are interested in the TrueStitch Stitch Regulator. If so, make sure that the electronics in the version you are looking at can be upgraded. Not sure I would buy the TrueStitch again if I had to do it over.

Mad quilter could you tell me what you did not like about the stitch regulator. I am interested in looking at one and was wondering if they are worth the money.

http://stores.sewmuchsmarter.com/
this lady is the gal that i am going to be going thru when i am ready to purchase mine. she was a fountain of information for me, and my only suggestion would be to call and talk to her directly.

I also am looking to buy one this fall... I do wonder though if they will come out with a newer model.
This is where I think I will buy it...its an hour from me. http://www.bnpquilts.com/cgi-bin/Sto...menu-1900.html - I do want to find out if they have a tech near by or at the store.

I bought mine used, found it on Kijiji. I searched all over Canada and anywhere I would be close to in the US trying to find one on Craigslist and Kijiji. There weren't many! The odd one comes up for sale on the HQ website Forum. I figured I saved myself about $1800 buying it used (mine only had 13,000 stitches on it) when I compared it to the
"show special" price in Phoenix last winter. I've called Handi Quilter directly for assistance a few times and they have been awesome. I am several hours from any dealer in Canada or the US, so getting local support wasn't a factor because there isn't any. And now Handi Quilter has some new How to DVD's for the Sweet Sixteen that are apparently great. Check out the yahoo group forum, it is a helpful group!

check out Mike Gillomen at http://mikesmachineshop.com/
He's one of HQ's top 20 dealers and a super nice guy. His prices are good and he provides superior support even if you didn't buy from him. I posted on a Yahoo group about a problem with an old robotic system using an HQ16 and he made a personal phone call to solve my issue. If you buy a standard long-arm system, he comes to your home (if Southwest flys to that location) to do the complete set-up and provides training.

here is a link to the free webinars - also there is a coupon...I have not listen to the whole thing yet. http://www.handiquilter.com/webinar/

Here is a wonderful video on how to thread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFskLaaxJ2I