sandrab64

I test drove the Tiara at a dealer 30 minutes away and really liked it. I have bought from this dealer before, I like her, and she is offering the machine which includes a Koala cabinet for $6950. The machaine and cabinet combo is called the Tiara Studio. She is throwing in the overlay piece and 3-year "gold standard" warranty for free. It is really nice and sturdy in the cabinet. She quoted me the non-sale price for machine, cabinet, overlay, and warranty as $11,000 which about made me puke! Granted you are going to pay more from a dealer versus ordering online somewhere, but is the $6950 a decent price for what I would get? It's a lot of money and I want to make a wise investment. Am I missing something crucial? I hate 'negotiating' but understand it can be done. Would appreciate your thoughts and comments.

snipforfun

I saw one and it was about $5000. Saw one at a quilt show for under $5000

ManiacQuilter2

Sounds pretty good to me. These are hard times. Just make sure it is exactly what you want. Just like a car, when you take it out, the value depreciates immediately. Good Luck

Lori S

If you get stuck on the $$$ in the negotiation.. go for extras... feet, tread , cutting mat etc.

snipforfun

You will want the extension table and maybe the stitch regulator

Dolphyngyrl

I have seen the machine for around 5-6k by itself so with the cabinets it sounds reasonable for the average pricing you can find, 11k sounds like MSRP

farmquilter

The list price looks like we need to be wearing a 'tiara' to buy one.

Camille

I just went to a seminar for the Viking 16" sit down. It was on special for $5999 which included the mat, stitch regulator and the table. I understand the Viking, Babylock and HQ are all made by the same company in Utah.

CorgiNole

Does the machine include the Tru Stitch (the stitch regulator?).

HQ sells the Sweet Sixteen for $5,195 for the machine, table and bobbin winder, and $6,190 if it includes the tru stitch. The overlay for the 30x36 table is another $90.

In looking at the Tiara Studio package - the Koala table is bigger (and probably nicer - being that it is made of wood) than the HQ table - so I can see where the Babylock dealer would place a premium price on the table. I have no idea what their warranty costs.

See what they are willing to throw in - useful accessories include the open toe hopping foot and the horizontal spool pin. Be aware though that changing out the foot on a Sweet Sixteen/Tiara is much more involved than on a domestic machine.

My HQ dealer gave me ~$100 to spend on accessories of my choosing and a discount on any HQ accessories that I purchase from her in the future.

They are fun machines.

Cheers, K

quiltstringz

FYI - can't speak to this koala but the others that I have seen are like all other cabinets (with the exception of really expensive custom ones) just have wood looking veneer on them. In the premade cabinets, Koala is one of the nicest, but in this case don't know how much of a difference that would make from the white one that I have seen from other places that the machine comes with.

I would probably check a few other places that are within driving distance if available and check their prices and then go back to the dealer closest to you to see if they will match. Unfortunately most dealers will not give you a price over the phone.

I do agree that one of the things you would probably want is the stitch regulator - check to see if that comes with the package. If not how much it is.