Maybe if you let them know that you are considering buying it elsewhere for a lesser amount they might be willing to reduce the price? (It happens here with cars so who knows? )

Congrats on your new machine! I hope you love it. :-)

It may be all the import taxes and shipping costs.

I have the Juki F600 and have had it for a couple of years now, really love it. I bought mine from Franklins in Salisbury and went on their courses of how to use it, which I found so useful. Enjoy your machine.

I've just had a little play on it, she sure is lovely! Takes a bit of getting used to all the gadget things! I'm not used to any of it, I've been using a basic singer for the last few years, so its all very strange!

If you bought it from Franklins could you not see about doing one of their day courses on the machine, they do 3 different days. The first one shows you how to use each function, I found it so worth the money as I know I would have been to nervous about using some of the feet on my own just in case I damaged it.

It's not only the import taxes, but I believe the UK also has a VAT (another tax). I know that tax applies to cars, appliances and other stuff. So, maybe it applies to sewing machines, too. I wouldn't recommend ordering one from the US and using a transformer. It's tough on the equipment.

When I lived in England I had a fairly new Bernina. I was a bit worried about the motor and my husband was able to purchase a 220 motor. He installed it while I was in England, then put the 110 motor back in when we came back to the states. It has worked perfectly for over 40 years at this point, so guess the switch was OK. Good luck with it!

Duties vary considerably, depending on where things are manufactured. In Canada, we have a 'free trade' agreement with the US, so we only pay HST (like VAT) IF (and only IF) the item is actually manufactured in the US. However, many of these items (including fabric) are actually manufactured elsewhere. Consequently, we are stuck with duty, so where you buy it might not matter as much as where the item was made.

Try the JaNOMES FIRST, THEY COME WITH THE PROPER ELECTRICAL FOR THE UK....JUST ASK FOR IT.
THERE ARE ALOT OF JANOME SUPPORT GROUPS OUT THERE, I BELONG TO TWO, THE 6600 AND THE 8900 GROUP.
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY MACHINES, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE A LOCAL SHOP FOR ANY SERVICE....BEST WISHES!