I buy most of my fabrics on eBay that I need to finish a quilt . Trying to make a dent in my stash. Half the time I do lose but heck, it is FUN!!! I wouldn't want to buy a sewing machine on-line because of the lack of service of a dealer.

I've bought 5 sewing machines off E-Bay and have had nothing but good luck. I only buy from sellers that have top ratings and I think that is the key. Oh, and I bought the table for my Singer Featherweight on E-Bay also. All were packaged really well. You can get some really great buys there.

thanks for asking.. i was wondering myself.
judy

I bought a Bernina Aurora off eBay for $1400 about 8 years ago. Paid a Bernina dealer $25 for a one hour lesson on how to use it. Not an embroidery machine, just for piecing, the local dealer offered me one used for $2800 but I said no to that. I have never ever had it in the shop, it still purrs when I sew and it is the best deal I have ever had. Got all the attachments, case, feet, little box of tools etc, knee press to lift the needle and it was gently used for one year in a quilt shop. Also bought a featherweight which was perfect and case and tons of attachments for a really cheap price off eBay too about 6 years ago, never had it in shop either. Always check out the rating of the seller and you will be fine. However, I am a risk taker and I have faith in my luck!!

I purchased a Janome off Craig's list, and then bought an extended warranty at my local Janome Dealer. It was just over $100 for three years. The total price covered all routine maintenance, any NON-routine maintenance and parts, in-store instruction on my machine, and 10% of anything in the store, including stabilizers, threads, lots of notions, and some fabric. That was a year ago, and I've more than used that warranty, mainly for the classes and sewing supplies, plus a routine cleaning. I now am proficient at both the sewing variations, feet, techniques, etc., and I can do the built in embroidery. My next project will use purchased embroidery patterns to do embroidery, and that will be another series of group classes, as there are a number of us at about the same point, and when working together we help each other as well as learn from our excellent instructor -- and it's social and fun!

Just a thought for those who buy machines from places like eBay. Check with your local deal and see if you can get an extended warranty. I don't have to worry about repair bills for another 2 years (and can extend the warranty if I like).

I got my black FW on ebay, but never anything that expensive. I'ld be afraid the machine wouldn't work.

You have the opportunity to give "buyer" feedack on a seller. Sellers do not want bad reviews. It kills future deals for the seller. My husband uses Ebay all of the time with no issues. He did sell a car once and the buyer backed out. My husband was not pleased and his seller review reflected that. The checks and balances in place on Ebay affords some assurance of satisfaction.

I was so tempted to jump into the bidding on that machine but at that price, albiet awesome....i want to run it by my husband. He knows that I want to upgrade my machine but at the $5,000 range, we need to talk.

Sandy