The thing is since they are a big box store they are able to purchase more for the same product and give a lower price. Just like when you purchase something on line, you often get it at a discount if you by more of the same. The difference is, if you purchase your machine from a reputable sewing dealer, you are more likely to get better service. Otherwise often you will be instructed to return the machine to the manufacturer for any repairs or your money back. I purchased my Singer from the Singer Rep here in my town. If it needs repair, I will take it to them, if I myself or DH are unable to fix it ourselves. The quality is the same the service is not. I have seen the same machines in Walmart that I have seen in lqs. Not all but some.

yes these are not the same quality-my friend tried 2 of them and fried them both in less than 6 months-not made for lots of use.

Ive bought 2 Brother machines online from Amazon. No Problems at all. Since I live in a small community in the mountains of AZ I do a lot of online shopping even for fabric.
Bought the cheapest Brother embroidery machine there is for 300 dollars. Love it but it only has a 4 in size for embroidery but as a beginner machine it works fine. Did have to buy a Ped Basic software program for 100 dollars. It only uses a card so not good. Would love to have a bigger machine but cost is a problem.
There is a Walmart here but the fabric sucks and the machines are not what I want.

i've had my brother cs6000i for over a year and just love it... especially the needle threader. i'm not a heavy duty sewer, though

I would miss having the service that a sewing machine store has to offer. If it breaks they fix it or replace it. How can you beat that?

Many trade ins are probably being offed at this time of year. You might find a great deal on one of those. Some women just have the latest model and trade in for it.

I have purchased MANY machines from WalMart, but that was before
quilting became a main goal of mine. No real issues with their machines
for beginner, and basic simple sewing.


Earlier this year I purchased a cheap machine from WM for my oldest
daughter because she wanted to start learning how to sew and quilt.
For her to learn on it is just fine. IF she ever gets the time to spend on
sewing (she works tons of overtime at her job) and she gets good at
it then she can think about upgrading to a better machine.

That is how I got my Janome MC3000. It was a used trade-in and
after about 3 months it started skipping stitches and just didn't run
good.

I took it back to the dealer where I purchased it to get it fixed as it
was SUPPOSED to be under a 1 yr warranty only to discover they
closed up shop.

Swore from that day forward never to spend $300 on a USED machine
when I could have added $200 and got the machine I went there to get
in the first place (small light weight machine).

I have a Brother SQ9050 I bought at WM about 3 years ago and love it. I use it for classes,retreats and when we
are traveling. I use my Janome for my the rest of my sewing. In face, I bought a Janome Gem to use for classes,ect.
but carried it back just did not like it, like the brother much better.

I got my Brother SQ9000 at Wal Mart a few years ago. And it still runs like it's brand new.

Most have a biased opinion on these machines sold at Wal Mart. If they were offered the same machines at a LQS they would be raving about them.

The main thing here no matter where you buy your machine, make sure its not plastic. That all main parts are metal. I have had a sears Kenmore for over 35 yrs and never ever (knock on wood) had to have it serviced,nor have i ever had a problem with it. I just clean it now and then and oil it. Of course years ago things were made better. I do have a Brothers Disney SE 27OD,which is ok i guess. I keep going back to using my kenmore as it is less complicated for me. Im not one that is computor savy. The Brothers i did get at walmart btw. I do use it now and then but my main sewing is on the Kenmore which is all metal. There is no plastic parts. I guess it boils down too is you get what you pay for.