What you said makes a lot of sense. It is about what one loves to do most. If it is the process of quilting that one enjoys, then whether it pays for itself is irrelevant.
For me, I enjoy piecing, choosing the color combinations, composing the overall imagery. I guess quilting is not as primary in my quilt making hierarchy. Most of the time, I dont make large quilts, like King sized ones. I make wall quilts, so a LA is an overkill.

But still, it will be nice to have one in the basement,... or a kind neighbor's house where you can pay for use with cookies.. Haha.. just kidding!

I never tried to justify it-My daughter and I both quilt and shared the cost.There is a learning curve to factor in.We love it and that was justification enuff for us.

I will never consider one no matter what the price. I had a quilting business before there were Long arms. My machine was an industrial and so were the sliding frames. I charged enough to discourage quilters because I was overwhelmed with business. I could do three quilts per day and for years I worked at this pace. The pressure to get them done and out became worse as time progressed. When I counted the undone quilts one day I found I was more than three months behind, I decided that was enough. This machine and frames costs a whole five hundred. A lot of money back then.

I'm with Learner747. Don't want a long arm ever. I'd much prefer to do my own on my machine or by hand. What I'd like is someone to look at my tops and make quilting suggestions like "put feathers here" or "Baptist fans would look good here". I just don't have that artistic eye to pick just the right quilting pattern.

Jcrow, I sent you a PM.

I'm with Dunster, I bought my long-arm because I wanted to do the whole process myself and quilting on my DSM is not for me..I wish it was. I have done some quilting for others and that has helped pay for the machine, but the machine is just the start, there's classes, rulers, lights, and just all kinds of goodies to help enhance your quilting. ;)
I bought an APQS Millennium and I do love it, but if I had it to do over, would I? Probably not. They tout the extra quilting space, well, I free-hand mostly from the front and only use, at the most 8 to 10 inches of that space. The only time I use that extra space is when I quilt from the back. The one thing that I would have to have is the stitch regulator...I love it.

Oh I am thinking about it right now, but there is no way I will be able to talk DH out of vacating his half of the hobby room!

When I win the lottery!!! And then buy a bigger house that a long arm will fit into.

That'll be the day - since I seldom buy lottery tickets.

Thanks for my chuckle for today.

Nita in Wisconsin (not Michigan)

I got my Tin Lizzie for the same reason. My DH felt with my health issues (MS and 2 Shoulder repairs) that I would really benefit from a long arm. You may not be able to justify it now, but, as time goes on, you will. I have done a couple of special requests on my Tin Lizzie, but, I don't make it a habit. Quilting is my hobby now that I am retired, and I do not intend to make it a profession. If you turn your hobby (passion) into a job, then it isn't fun anymore. Anyway I'm rambling... not everything has to be justified and sometimes it has to be fun and make you happy. I do not regret my DH convincing me to get a Tin Lizzie.

I just got my Queen Quilter 18 the end of March. I'd been using a longarmer for several years, as I didn't have the time to do it myself. (I was an over the road truck driver & time home was very limited.) Now that I've retired, I have the time & desire to expand my horizons. I've done several quilts now & learn something with each one. Yes, there's a learning curve, but we're constantly learning new techniques & ways to accomplish the looks we want in our quilts. This just takes it one step further. I've so far only done my own quilts, but will probably doing for others when I feel more comfortable with my skills. If you're considering purchasing a longarm, do some math, as was suggested earlier, to determine if it is cost feasible. Consider where you're going to put it, & how much time you're willing to devote to learning. Yes, it's expensive to purchase & maintain, but to me it's worth the effort.