Wow, what a great deal. My husband has purchased 3 vintage machines for me from eBay with mixed results. Of course, you have to realize this is a man who knows nothing about sewing machines buying a sewing machine from an online auction so I guess you really can't expect that much lol

I had a new Bernina about 20 yrs when the mother board died. Repairs; hard pressed to find a mother board for that age machine. Repair comment was the mother board is what usually dies in a computerized machine and the new ones don't fit old machines.
So, if I bought a used computerized machine, I'd check how much it's been moved, knocked around and how old. And I'd ask for the origional packaging.

I bought a new, sealed boxed Janome 11000 on ebay, from a newlywed who received it for a wedding gift . She didn't sew.
I thought it might be stolen after I received it, since it had not been opened and was selling for a low price. I had my local dealer check the serial number with Janome. They informed me that the machine was not stolen, it was sold by a Houston JANOME dealer. All other used machines I purchased from local dealer. Any future used machines I will get from a dealer. I sort of trust Ebay, but I don't trust any of the shippers. Any Craigslist items, not machines, I meet the seller at our police department for the exchange.

I have bought a few used machines, they came with the treadle cabinets I have. My Aunt gifted me her old replica Singer before she passed. I don't mind buying mechanical machines because I can fix those. The new Computerized ones I prefer to purchase new ones.

My Pfaff dealer takes trade ins and refurbish them to sell used. She finds a good market for them.

I have two garage sale found machines. Both have been great and I’ve had them for years.

I bought my Bernina off EBay, but what gave me confidence (aside from the high rating of the seller) was that I have a great independent machine tech in town (for those of you in the Vancouver, BC area, try "Eurotech Sewing Machine Repair").

The problem with trolling sites like EBay and Craigslist is you get sewing machine fever!

I purchased my machine from a dealer, a shop near me. Some one had purchased t it and returned it with less than 10 hours of use. I got it for less than half of its original price because the model was about to be discontinued in the next few months. I have had absolutely no problems with the machine. The dealer was a certified Pfaff dealer he and his repairman did repairs on all models, old and new. The shop closed but the repairman went to another new shop that opened in the same town.
I would not be the least bit hesitant to purchase a used machine from a dealer. They want to keep you as a happy customer. ;)

There is an excellent, independent repair technician in my town, he's affordable, honest, and not affiliated with a shop. Therefore I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a used machine if I found the right one for the right price, no matter the source. My repair guy can fix it.

I bought a used longarm from Nolting happy with it. I also bought a janome from a quilt shop in Marion also happy with it. also bought a used embroidery machine off ebay happy with that also