Whether to buy used BL Ellure or something else??
 

I have been searching for the last few weeks for a new(er) machine to replace my 15+ year old singer. My sewing is primarily clothing and crafts with a quilt thrown in a couple of times a year. Usually at least double size. I usually quilt with straight seams with a walking foot. My budget is $500 max. I know this is not a lot but that is what I have to spend. I have researched on the internet and visited my local dealers at least twice.

The Brother dealer was quite rude and told me that they only carried high end machines and offered no classes. Also refused to honor any brother warranties unless I bought the machine from them.

The Janome dealer was nice but only had 3 machines in stock and weren't sure when they would get more. Told me they would not honor warranty for a machine if I purchased it off of the internet. Also did not offer classes.

The Babylock dealer is awesome offering free classes and 20% discount of future purchases. However the throat are on the machines in my price range is too small (I think) for the quilting. They do have an ellure that was traded in for sale. I have never done any embroidery but it has the larger throat size I want. I know if I did get into embroidery that I would need to purchase a transfer box to use designs not on the machine. Question is what do you think would be a fair price for the used ellure? For those who own them how have they performed. I have read the reviews at patternreview and as many as I can find online.

I know there are machines on the internet such as the Brother PC-420 that meet my criteria but I am concerned about servicing / warranty if needed.

To add to all this my daughter's wedding is 9 weeks away and I am feeling pressured to get something so that I can get her dress made.

I apologize for the long post but would so much appreciate any input / advice. I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. :) Thank you for taking the time to read this!!

Blessings,
Jan

Sounds like a very good buy. I don't have one, but if I had found the deal, I'd be trying to buy it. Seems to have more than I'm looking for (been looking for a while) and the added bonus of embroidery. If there is any kind of warrenty, get it.

They are asking $700 for the used Ellure but I checked ebay for past sales and it showed $300 to $500 so I am wondering if $700 is too high. Thanks!

Sounds like a good deal to me. I owned a Babylock Ellure about 6 years ago until I upgraded. I never had any problems with it and it sewed and embroidered great. I paid $1100.00 for it new and 3 years later, the dealer where I bought it gave me $1000.00 trade in value. Of course, she said they couldn't sell it for that but for that, I couldn't pass up trading it in. I bought the smart box on ebay to transfer the designs. I don't have that anymore.

I think that's high for a used one. I wouldn't be afraid to buy one of the quilting only machine from Overstock.com or Amazon. Will you still have your old machine available for zigzag work on crafts?

If you like the Allure, offer him $500 out the door, tax and everything included.

I have a Baby Lock (not the Ellure but one with the larger throat) and I LOVELOVELOVE my machine. The warranty on the BLs are wonderful and I would assume that the warranty would still be in place. The BLs use Brother feet which are a bit less expensive. Stitch quality is wonderful and the slighly wider feed dogs have 7 contact points which makes the fabric transfer more smooth. I would start negotiations at $500.

I agree, I wouldn't deal with the rude Brother or Janome dealers. If the used Babylock machine meets your needs and has a warranty, why not offer them less to make it fit your budget? You can always ask for extra attachments, embroidery supplies, if they won't take less. Recognize that you do get more for the higher price compared to an ebay machine, the warranty and classes, as well as their brick-and-morter store, cost money.

I am a Brother fan regardless of if they were rude, the machines are work horses and I have never had a problem with any of mine. It is the machine, not the person and that person could have just been having a bad day with other rude people (the domino thing). I would give Brother a second chance especially since it meets what you need and want. Better that then get something you don't need or want just because someone said "have a nicer day".

I was thinking you said they were selling the machine for $500.00. I think $700.00 is too high also if it is the first Ellure. There is another one that came out after mine and was probably more expensive. I would offer $500.00 also.

I have. Babylock ellegante 2 that I bought used from a dealer. Even though it is also an embroidery machine, it pieces very well and has a large throat. I bet the Ellurewould be versatile like that as well. There is something to be said for service support and warranty. I'd try explaining that you only have 500 to spend and see if that aids negotiations:)