Bernina sewing machines, manufactured in Switzerland, are under strict regulation by the company. To purchase one, you either have to go directly to a Bernina dealer or get lucky enough to find someone selling a second-hand machine. Authorized Bernina dealers are not permitted to sell on the internet or by mail order - in fact, they are not even supposed to sell or quote prices on a machine over the phone. This means that someone looking for a new Bernina must go in person to their nearest authorized dealer, and for some that can be hundreds of miles. In addition, most dealers ask the MSRP or close to it, so there are always sewers and quilters looking to save some money (so they can buy more fabric!) by buying a preowned machine.

If you are looking for a Bernina on eBay, you should be aware that regardless of how new the machine is, you will not be getting a manufacturer's warranty. Even if the original owner tells you she never sent in the warranty card, this warranty is not transferable because you need to buy the machine from an authorized dealer. Having a warranty card does not mean you have a warranty! That said, most of the used machines on eBay are out of warranty anyway, and Berninas are generally trouble-free. (I have owned more than a half dozen different Bernina models over the past 25 years, and I have yet to have a problem that required me to return it to the dealer for repair!)

Many Bernina dealers will not take used machines in trades, so this makes it even more difficult for someone to find a used machine. Occasionally you will find a second-hand Bernina at another sewing machine dealership, but most Bernina owners stick with Berninas, so it will be hard to find them . . . except on eBay!

Be aware that the most popular Bernina models - like the 440 - are favorites of the scam artists on eBay - they hijack someone's account and then use it to list nonexistent high-priced items for ridiculously low starting prices (like $1.00). They look for a successful completed auction of the item they want to offer, steal those photos and descriptions, and create a fraudulent auction (often in a totally inappropriate category).  Almost always they put their email address within the text of the auction, encouraging people to "contact me before bidding" or buy the item for a price much lower than its value. Some say you must be preapproved to bid. These internet criminals are usually outside of the United States (beware broken English!), and they will try to get their victims to wire money to them. Just remember . . . if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't! Don't ever respond to these offers, even to ask a question, because you will find lots of spam and "phishing" emails coming to the email address you used! (Ask me how I know!) Always use the "Ask seller a question" link to ask questions of sellers you don't know, and click the box which hides your email address from the seller. eBay staff usually find and stop these fraudulent auctions within a day after they are created - to help them, you can click on the "Report this listing" link at the bottom of any listing and report that you think the listing may be a fraud.

Before bidding on a Bernina on eBay, educate yourself about the model you are considering. The Bernina web site has many resources, including comparisons of all the current models and PDF files of their brochures. (But you won't find any prices quoted on the site!) There are also a number of user forums on the site where you can ask questions of other Bernina owners. There are more groups for Bernina owners and prospective owners on Yahoo and other internet sites . . . take advantage of all these resources at your fingertips!

If you are looking at a new Bernina model, one way to save money is to look at an older model instead. Berninas hold their value very well, so it is unlikely you will find one really cheap, but you will get most of the features on the newer machines by buying one that was made within the past ten years . . . and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. (But if you want a machine that can use the Bernina Stitch Regulator, you will have to look at a current model - of models made before the BSR was introduced, only the 200 can be upgraded to take the BSR.) Some older Bernina "workhorse" models - especially the 930, 1130, and 1230 - can actually sell for more today than they did when they were new.

So if you are looking for a preowned Bernina, eBay is definitely a good place to look! And you are looking at what many sewers consider the best sewing machine available today! Good luck in your search!

TIP: I see a "Feetures" DVD being sold on eBay for high prices, much higher than it sells for at a Bernina dealer (around $17 at mine). I got one of these and didn't find it very helpful - Bernina has better videos of all of its feet in operation on their web site . . . for FREE!!! (The Feetures books are wonderful but costly - the DVD is definitely NOT a replacement for them!)