8 year old Janome 11000, should I buy?
 

I currently have a little Bernette 25 and am wanting to upgrade. I was emailing with a local quilt shop about the Janome 11000 SE, but I don't know their price on a new one. I think they want to get me in the shop before they hit me with the price tag. The MSRP is $7999, but looking at online prices they seem to retail for $5999. I did find one for $4999 on Amazon though, but I am not sure why it is so cheap.

Anyhow... the LQS sent me an email today saying the got a "previously loved" 11000 in with a lot of extra accessories and all the hoops. It is 8 years old and they want $2799 for it. The owner traded it in on a 15000.

What do you guys think? Is buying a machine with 8 years of use on it worth the savings? I hadn't planned on buying a new machine for a while, so I would have to put it on lay-a-way until I get the funds together.

It is definitely worth buying a used machine. You typically gets lot more value for your $$$. The price also looks pretty good if you will get local support for the machine (classes, warranty work, etc.). I definitely think you should ask for classes to be thrown in with the machine for that price, if you get it.

You might be able to find this machine for less on Craigslist or eBay, but there is more risk associated with those purchases. Check "completed listings" to see what this machine has sold for on eBay (only the green prices indicate that the machine actually sold):
​http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...mplete=1&rt=nc

Edit: I ***love*** my Bernina 1260, but would not like to be sewing on any of the Bernette machines.

Most dealers will offer an in-store warranty on a used machine they sell. Sometimes only 6 months, but you should ask. Machine warranties won't transfer but the store will usually stand behind the machine if they've serviced it. Make sure you ask about it being serviced too. It's a great option to buy used from a dealer. Especially a local dealer. You could always tell them that you can only spend $2500 and see what they say:>

they probably aren't even remotely comparable, but my janome mechanical machine is turning 25 this year, having worked through me learning to sew (!!!!!) and now having completed more than a dozen full sized quilts on it, plus at least 10 years of garment sewing at a pretty steady level.

this is just a shout out to the brand :)

aileen

I saw one on craigslist for a lot cheaper it is worth looking at :
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/s...000&catAbb=sss

I think $2799 is a great price. I paid $4000 six years ago. I use my 11000SE a lot and I love it. On e-bay they are going from $3500 to $5999. The new 15000 is touted for its Wi-Fi capability and I-pad compatibility. Since I live out in the country, there's no Wi-Fi, and I don't have an I-pad, so my 11000 SE is about as advanced as I can get:-) This machine can do about anything you would want to do!

mardilee, just so you know, you can have an internal wi-fi network setup in your home. I suppose that could make downloading designs from the internet easier? Not sure, being low-tech myself when it comes to sewing!

love my 11000se
 

I bought mine used a year ago and would love to have another one...just a warning, embroidery can become addictive. I bought it from a dealer and it came with a warranty and plenty of support but then my Janome dealer is wonderful for support and I have dealt with them for many years, actually the owner ship is on it's 3rd generation and I have bought a Janome from each one...I must be getting old!

I bought a used Janome 6600 from the local dealer for $1000. It came with unlimited classes on the machine itself, plus unlimited classes on any that they offered at the store. The machine was completely serviced, but no warranty. I've only had a bit of trouble with tension, but they fixed for reasonable price. I would do it all over again and recommend buying used from a dealer to anyone.

I would never buy one off craigslist. No support at all with it.