I recently posted about this problem, not specifically to this brand of machine, but it's a problem across the board. I was recently interested in getting a new machine, and I learned from our local sewing machine mechanic that most sewing machine manufacturers only stock parts which are warranteed parts. Thus, you can have a machine which becomes unfixable even though it is still under warranty because the part it needs for repair is a "wear and tear" part, not one that is under warranty. It's a horrible practice, but this is where we are now. He also told me Bernina is the only manufacturer which still makes their own parts, so I have a better chance on finding a needed part with a Bernina machine than others, which is why the machine I bought is a Bernina. This is a first for me, I have never owned a Bernina before, and I loved my previous machines: Kenmore, Pfaff, and Babylock. I still have a Pfaff Tiptronic which I use as a backup/ travel/ second machine.