Ooh, i'm in Essex too! The only shop I know of locally where you can actually try the machines is Franklin's, so I'm heading to their Colchester shop. They were really helpful when I went in to play on the machines so hopefully they won't mind me being cheeky!

Sisty, it's the same here in Canada. I wanted to buy a Brother PQ1500s machine. It was a little over $1200 online and that included all taxes, customs costs and shipping charges to ship from the U.S. to here in Canada.
Locally, I would pay over $1700!! It's unreal.


I can see things costing more but it seems way too steep.

I would ask for any extras to be thrown in as part of the deal. Sometimes dealers are more willing to throw things into the deal rather than lower the cost of the machine. I got several things when I bought mine so be sure to ask for everything and hope to get something! Good luck!

I just asked this questions and here is the link to that discussion. Maybe something that will help you too.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...k-t247131.html

the power voltage is different 110 vs 220

Ask about 'extras '!!! I got a great deal on my Janome 7700......and extra needles, bobbins,thread etc....worth a try!!! Good luck!! I was just looking to buy a yard of fabric on line from USA £5.25 a yard....clicked on shipping charges.......£19.50!!!!!! Huh???? For a yard of fabric that would go in a small envelope???? Forget it!!!!

Sorry about the difference in cost! I guess those of us who live in America have something to be happy about!

Coventry, I have one pretty bad fabric shop near me so most of the fabric I have bought has been bought from the US. Yes the shipping charges are expensive so I fill the envelope with as much fabric as it can take.

e.g. a few shops will state that up to 10 yards of fabric will fill a certain type of envelope which will cost around $25 - 30 which is about £17 - 20 (estimate). The cost of buying fabric here in the UK to me is cost prohibitive as its almost double the cost of fabric in the US but if I fill that envelope then I save money.

I guess its just working out how much you can save before hitting that add to cart button :) Oh and check out etsy, I think every etsy store I've used bar one have refunded excess shipping fees. And I havent been charged any import fees as yet so I've been extremely lucky in that department and I know some day soon that'll come to an end hah!

I think it has to do with the value of the dollar here in the US.

Australia!!! I wanted a specialty ruler. $13 in Walmart USA. One distributor in Oz, $115 PLUS $23 postage. I tried to buy it direct from the US, but even the manufacturer refused to post it as it was 'high risk for breakage'.

Biggest problem isn't sale tax, its importers and distributors deciding they can charge whatever they like and make big profit$. I've managed shops and I guarantee they can't afford to do that, it's the middleman every time.

And honestly? Look at a Janome before buying a Juki. Seriously, I've sold both....