After several months of researching, I bought a previously used embroidery machine on line. I am writing this in hopes that it will help someone else, who might be as confused as I was when I began my research on new and previously used machines.

When buying an embroidery machine, the most imporant thing to me was to consider how large of an emboridery area I wanted my machine to be able to allow. Some are only 4" x 4". My second mostimportant issue was cost. My mission was clear, to get a machine did the things that I want without going to high over what I have to spend. *and to convince my husband that I 'needed' this machine very VERY badly.. LOL!* What I came to discover is that older models are just as nice as the newer ones if the seller has maintained them well, and you can often get an older machine, like I did, and spend MUCH less than buying a new one. I would suggest researching all makes and models even if you have your heart set on one in particular. Use search engines to search the various brands. Learn what each company has to offer that is equivalent to their competitors. Get a notebook and take notes! I went into it thinking I wanted brand "A" and I ended up buying brand "B" and got a MUCH better machine with a LOT more features and saved several thousand by buying a model that was 3 years old. Some big things to think about are... what size you want to have in your embroidery area. Do you want a machine that embroider's only 4"x4" or do you want it to be able to embroidery larger designs? Do you want the ability to use a floppy disk in your machine so you dont have to have additional hardware? Learn about the various ways to import designs into your machine. It will be more money spent if additional hardware and software must be purchased. Also, think about if you want to be able to create your own designs and how expensive is the software for the various models you are looking at.. but I have since learned that they are all rather pricey, but super super neat stuff!!  If you do get an older or used model, ask how many sewing hours and on hours the machines has or how many stitches it has on it. Ask when it was last serviced and if the seller is the original owner and where did they purchase the machine. Also, *this was important to me and is something to think about* ... make sure that you can take classes to learn how to use your machine from a local dealer that sells the particular Brand you are looking into. Many dealers allow this, but there are some that refuse to allow you to take the classes if you do not buy the machine from them. My local dealer was sad that I did not buy from her, but still offered me the classes all the same. I have found that dealers are not fan favorites of buying machines on line and some do not like it when you mention you are looking at a machine on line. There are VERY good machines here on eBay! LOL!! Insure that machine when being shipped!!!! I can not enphasise THAT enough!!!!

*** On a personal note, I thought it important to add that I ended up buying a Brother ULT2003D and I was orginally looking at a Viking D1. It was the Disney designs that sold me on the machine. Only Brother has the license to use the Disney designs and only their machines that have "D" at the end can use the Disney cards they sell and since I have kids, it was a no brainer for me. Check with your local sewing machine dealers prior to buying to make sure that if you want to take classes you are able to. Most all privately owned and operated dealers will welcome you with open arms.***