Sewing Machine Beginner !

I'm a beginner in sewing. And I have some questions that is wished to be answered.

I'm looking forward to buy a mechanical sewing machine. And one that lasts long and easy to use. I'm planning to make plushies, pillows, clothing, and etc to start a little business.

1. What brand of sewing machines is better?
2. Where can I get a sewing machine (What stores)? I'm located in NY, United States.
3. Any tips to see if a sewing machine is good?

Also, I don't want my parents to spend that much on buying a sewing machine for me. I would like a good quality sewing machine, but not really that expensive.

Thanks !

some time cheap one aren't any good. you want one that will meet your sewing needs, there good in all brands, do research on the internet about option different sewing machine have, some machine will not sew everything. make sure to a instruction manual

I just started sewing - a year ago I bought my first machine with the intention of sewing on cards.  My first love is paper crafting and one of the 'hippest' things is sewing on cards.  So I went to my local Joann's store and bought a Singer machine on sale for $99. I had to ask my Husband to help me thread the machine the first time because I couldn't figure it out!!! I've sewn on exactly 3 cards, but have been sewing 'for real' on any fabric I can get my hands on, teaching myself how to do it.  Granted, my Mom had sewn all my clothes up until high school and is an award-winning hand quilter.  But being the rebel that I am, I have not 'allowed' her to help me learn how to sew.

Since buying that machine a year ago, I have learned what I like to sew and have been keeping a list of what I want my next machine to do. Since my machine was only $99, I feel for being a year into it, I won't regret it when I go to purchase a new machine with my expectations in mind.

AND, when I do go buy a new machine, with my new and improved expectations, I will buy locally from a sewing store near (or far) from me that offers classes on how to WORK my new and improved sewing machine.  I have read a ton of blogs about how people buy a machine on line, have no idea to use it, expect it to work like magic how they imagine a sewing machine to work, are dejected when it doesn't produce what they are looking for and a month later are trying to sell it, and never sew again. 

Start small, expect BIG, and when it doesn't happen, start again.  And when it DOES happen you will know it!! HTH!!

Thank you for the information! Now I think I know what type of sewing machine to get