As a former store owner and dealer, Always buy a sewing machine from a dealer.......Dealers offer maintenance, classes, sometimes intitial training on the machine before you take it home. Machines are built different for dealers with with higher quality parts. If you have questions concerning the machine, the dealer will usually help you. Department stores:.."you buy it, its yours" You take it home in a box, No classes, maintenance programs,etc. Most generally the store employee won't know anything about the machine. Dept store machines are built for that store per their specifications. Sometimes its not the real thing. Also, the gal that mentioned on-line buying....her statement is absolutely true...no warranty, etc. Sometimes paying that extra $25 or $50 could be a big savings in the future having a waranty etc.