Let me give you the same response ive said probably 100 times...
Don't shop for a brand name.. get a good one a known one ..
but here is the bottom line
the real secret is the shop and the service you get before during and most importantly after you drop your hard earned money
Go into all the shops more than once. talk to the rep's .. ask to talk to the repair tech in the back room does he/she get excited about machines? can they discuss all the ins and outs of motors that you never really needed or wanted to know?.. who teaches their new machine classes.??. ask to meet the instructor.. do you get along w/ them? can you learn from them? Do you walk out of the store feeling like the employees there respect every single one of your hard earned pennies? Did you leave happy? Did they make you feel like what ever machine you pick they really hope you get the right one for you??
when you find the shop that fits you the best that way.. then simply pick the best machine you have pennies for from there...
i cant tell you how many friends i have that have bought because of brand name and cried after the fact..
there are so many great products out there .. you have seen commercials for all the brands.. IMHO you cant go wrong with any of the brands if you have the right support behind you
Rachelle