quiltlady1941

So sorry to keep posting about me and trying to buy a new machine but here goes again..

I have been looking at the 8900 Janome and have gotten some prices from different dealers.. we don't have very many dealers that are close to me just two of them, so went on the internet and found dealers that are about any where from 35 to 65 miles away which is doable...
I have been calling and asking for a price on the 8900 and most are pretty close but the last place that was 65 miles away gave me a price of 2299.00 all the other dealers were from 2999.00 for the red front one to 3500.00 to 4000.00 for the gray front one ... this would be 700.00 different for the cheapest price, that is a big saving...my question is seeing that this dealer is 65 miles from me I won't be able to get any classes from them as it is just to far away. So how important are the classes and can't you learn how to run the machine with just reading the manual? I didn't go to classes with my viking number 1+ machine and learned how to run it with just the manual..

I so sorry to keep asking question but I am truly mixed up with all this sewing machine buying..and the different prices.. Thanks so much for your help..

Mdaniels

You shouldn't apologize for asking questions, your questions aren't ridiculous and if people don't want to answer, they won't. This is an expensive decision.

I have the 8900, got to it from a Babylock. It wasn't at all hard to learn how to use. The manual isn't all that well-organized, in my opinion, but once you find what you are looking for, I think its adequate to figure out what you need to figure out. If you are a new sewist, its a lot of machine to learn--but if you have some experience its a great machine to grow into. Seems like a good price. Just make sure you trust the dealer because you may need to go back if something is wrong with the machine. Good luck and have fun hunting!!!

Buckeye Rose

I would also ask the dealers the cost of a tuneup on the machine....and if they can give you references on satisfied customers.....just because they can sell you a machine, doesn't mean they can service it with any skill....customer service is just as important as price!

indycat32

$2299 is a great price for the 8900. That's what I paid for my 7700 about a year ago; the dealer wanted $4000 for the 8900.

TexasSunshine

I think classes or at least some instruction is important. I bought a used Brother 1500D sewing/embroidery machine from an individual and there is so much to learn about it that I wish I had classes.

Dolphyngyrl

Why is 65miles to far for a class. It like a little over an hours drive

beaglelady

I was quoted a price of $2498. for the Janome 8900 including the nice white table it fits in with the drawers on the side. I was trying to decide between it and the Babylock Crescendo. I ended up getting the Crescendo but the Janome 8900 was a really nice machine too and I sure liked the table it came with. I am still trying to find a good table for my Crescendo.

Sally J

Have you even thought about the 8200. Same machine but fewer fancy stitches. I knew I wouldn't use the extra stitches and am very happy and it was lots cheaper. My dealer is less than 5 miles away and only took one class and I don't have any problem. I agree the manual is not the best but the machine is fairly simple. The one thing I learned is to trust the manual and to read it. I learned the hard way when free motion quilting. The manual says use single hole throat plate and it is a must. I didn't know the 8900 came with a red front, make sure the dealer isn't talking about the 7700.

ScubaK

If you have an aptitude for sewing machines, and can read a sewing machine manual...then you don't NEED lessons. I have never taken a machine class nor a quilting class...I seem to be fine by myself with the instruction manual, You Tube and other tutes from the forums...and I just ask. I have to do this because my work schedule didn't let me take the classes when they were offered....
Kirsten

zozee

I, too, would look carefully at the 8200. In fact, I compared it to the 8900 and realized the 8900 was more than I'd use, but the 8200 is ideal. Not that I bought it--I didn't, but I talked my friend into it and she LOVES it. If you have to take a class, do you have to lug your actual machine there to learn about it? It's very heavy. The $2200-$2300 range was a fabulous price including table that my friend got. I would really question an 8900 being that low. It's a lot more machine.