I have read a couple of reviews on buying an embroidery machine on-line. Having used embroidery machines, bought and sold machines online, purchased them  from dealers and from major department stores, I think that an important factor, overlooked in the reviews I have read, is you, the buyer.

I have used several of the Viking Embroidery/Sewing Machines, Sears Kenmore Embroidery Machine from Janome,  Brother's Disney Embroidery Machine, Brother-made Simplicity Embroidery Machine, and the Viking, Singer, and Aisin P.O.E.M machines with various software from dos through Windows.

What you expect from the machine, and the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into learning to use the machine are factors that need to be considered before you even begin to make a decision about brand or features..

If you are a person who learns easily from books, and is comfortable with technology,  your buying choice can be a very different one from a person who needs to see a process demonstrated to be comfortable with it and is not happy searching for assistance on the internet.

In my opinion, especially to a person who does not enjoy learning on their own,  the higher price you pay for purchasing from a dealer can be well worth-while, but only if the dealer provides ongoing service and support-and if you are close enough to take advantage of their offerings.

Again, in my own opinion, you should not buy any expensive item, new or used, on the internet without researching it.and understanding what to expect. A seller on Ebay can not be expected to teach you to use your machine, and may know no more about it than you do.

It should go without saying that, once you have researched the machine, have found one on Ebay, and are prepared to bid on it, you need to first read the listing carefully, then re-read it, compare it with your expectations, and ask questions to clarify what is being offered. Descriptions such as "Like New" or "Gently Used" may not be understood in the same way by buyer and seller.

Unlike these general descriptions, facts, such as hours of use, date of purchase, number of owners, repair history,included accessories, and whether a warranty is included, help you determine the machines' value to you.

For a used machine, make sure there are pictures of the actual machine as opposed to "Stock Photos"  

You can see stock photos on the manufactures website. They show the machine in its new, original condition. All  of the major manufacturers have web-sites with information on their current offerings-machines and soft-ware. Most machines with similar functions have a similar price range. Many are also made by the same factory to brand name specifications.  Most electronics are manufactured in the Orient.

Simple embroidery-only machines with a 4x4"  or smaller embroidery field  and some built in designs and lettering can sometimes be purchased new, on clearance or out of box, in stores for under 200.00. 

Machines with larger embroidery fields, built in software, more memory, more accesories, cost more. Look to spend thousands for a fully featured, upgradable, home embroidery machine with the most up-to date software.

Keep in mind that even the less expensive embroidery machine will easily create good-looking embroidery from its built in designs and letters on stable, woven fabric.  Slippery fabrics and complicated or original designs can require different  and sometimes complex handling on even the most expensive embroidery machine.

 Thread, stabilizers and hooping are going to impact the finished embroidery, and can make all the difference between professional looking embroidery done on an older or inexpensive machine, and shoddy embrodery on a top-of-the line model.

 An important consideration in purchasing an older machine is whether the manufacturer still offers support for it. If not, is there somewhere it can be reliably serviced? Can you drop it off or do you have to pay for shipping to obtain service?

You should be aware that even for a newer model, often the dealer warranty in non-transferable, and even a simple cleaning can run close to 100.00. Many machines claim a 20 year warranty on the motor. Read the fine print to see if it includes parts or labor-usually not.

All this being said, I have experienced very little mechanical trouble with any of my machines. My P.O.E.M, purchased on Ebay,5 years ago is more than 20 years old, but works with the same software and produces beautiful small embroidery, of equal quality to my newer and much more expensive Viking Designer purchased from a Viking dealer.

The quality of your embroidery will depend more on the time you invest in getting a machine that meets your needs and learning to use it than on the amount you spend or the age of  the machine