quiltymama

Hi all, I知 new on the board and looking to upgrade my sewing machine (a 14 year old bernina). I知 choosing between a Janome 9400 which is new in box for $2500 or a slightly used bernina 770 for $3200. Both are sold by individuals not shops and are strangers to me. If I decide on the bernina, I would insist on a shop check to make sure it is in good working order. Thanks in advance for your advice 😊💕

BSKTLOFR-QUILTER

Sorry I can't help you but welcome to the board. I'm sure somebody out there will be able to help.

zozee

I'm partial to Janomes and for $2500, you're not going to find a 9400 anywhere else. However, I would be leary of buying from a stranger. That's a ridiculous amount of cash to part with if you haven't tried it out. If it's Craigslist (?) I would meet in a public place and take someone with me. Sometimes crooks use a fake picture and bait a woman with an object that mostly women use.

SusieQOH

I have to agree with Zozee on this. There are scammers all over these days.
For machines- I've never had a Janome but I love my Bernina and wouldn't buy anything else. I'm not familiar with the 770 but I'm partial to them.
Good luck and welcome to the board!

quiltymama

Thanks Zonee. The 9400 would be shipped and I could pay with a credit card so partially covered if it is not the real deal. The bernina is via craigslist but I would only meet publicly.

JustAbitCrazy

If you meet publicly, how are you going to be able to test drive the Bernina? That's a problem. I once bought a used Pfaff from a lady on craigslist, who had me come to her office (she was self employed) to test drive the machine. That worked great, however, most sellers are probably not in the same circumstance to own a business open to the public.

sewbizgirl

Welcome to the board!

Can't help you with the machine question... I'm not up on the machines with all the bells and whistles. I'm a Juki girl! Have a Juki longarm and a Juki domestic and love both.

quiltymama

[QUOTE=JustAbitCrazy;8245318]If you meet publicly, how are you going to be able to test drive the Bernina? That's a problem. I once bought a used Pfaff from a lady on craigslist, who had me come to her office (she was self employed) to test drive the machine. That worked great, however, most sellers are probably not in the same circumstance to own a business open to the public.[/QUOT

Thanks JustABitCrazy. As I mentioned in my post, I would insist on a certified Bernina person to look over the machine first.

PMahowald

For the last 30 years I have had Vikings and have been happy. Having said that I bought the 9400 a year ago and wish I had bought it earlier. .

Dolphyngyrl

I would choose 9400but I really don't care for berninas. I think they are overrated and overpriced compared to other machines I sewed on a 550 and a 765 for an entire day did not care for either but that's me 9400 has awesome features