Serger Advice - Please

Hi all!
This is my first time here and I am so glad I found you. I am in need of some guidance.
I would like to get a serger, however, I am not sure where to start.
I would love to spend just a few hundred dollars, but I am on a strict budget of $500.oo max.
Is a quality machine available in this price range or should I keep saving for something better.
I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but I don't want to settle now and want to upgrade in a year. If I can get something good for 500.00 that would great.
I found the White 2500 well within my budget and it looks nice, but I am clueless.
I guess I need to know what are the must haves for a serger, and if there are any brands to avoid.
Sorry for the long post, I truly appreciate any advice!
-Carrie

If you are a patient person, I think you can get a serger you will be happy with in your price range.  Sergers have a learning curve.  To give you an idea, most come with a video that instructs you on threading and basic use.  I started out with a white speedylock and I liked it.  It was not the easiest thing to thread, and switching between a 4 thread overlock and a 3 thread rolled hem involved using a screwdriver.  I got good use out of the speedylock, but when I traded it in and upgraded to the entry level Viking serger I started using it ALL the time.  The main differences between the White I had and the Viking I have now are that threading the Viking is incredibly easy, and switching from an overlock stitch to a rolled stitch is as easy as moving a lever.  The Viking was DEF. worth the money I paid to upgrade.  That said, I think you can do very well with a less expensive machine.  You just need to have the patience to figure out the threading process and tension.  My suggestion is to go ahead and get a serger now if you want one, but to buy it from a sewing machine store that will be willing to work with you on a trade in if you decide you want to upgrade sometime down the road.  That is how I wound up with my Viking serger (and actually, my fancy sewing machine, too.).

HTH!
Katy

I just got a serger for Christmas - Janome 660D. And I love it. It was half price at my local Janome dealer. You can definitely get a machine in your price range, maybe even a more expensive machine if you time your purchase right (mine was half price). Most dealers also offer a free one hour lesson. I haven't taken mine yet, but I am planning to, so I can see how to use the machine to it's full potential. My regular sewing machine is a 20 year old Janome and I still love it!
Definitely go to the sewing machine dealers in your area. They are usually very helpful and can suggest what you should look for. Ask to see the range from the most expensive to the least expensive, that way you can see what you are getting for your money. The more educated you are the better you will be able to make your decision.

Amazon has this machine with some GREAT reviews.  I also found it at Costco where it is about $50 cheaper- only $200 so well within your budget.  You'd have $300 left over to buy all those weird spools of thread 

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10043602&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|89|28514|28516&N=4010114&Mo=0&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28516&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=89*28514*28516*&topnav=

It's the Brother 1034D in case the links don't work.  I have an older serger that is okay, but am thinking about replacing for this guy.  All these overtime hours I am putting in ought to be good for something!!

Trina

I am in the same boat!

I too would like a serger for few bucks.  I noted a good sale at Costco for a brother, but was not sure.

Does a serger really make a huge difference in sewing?

Brother 1034D is cheap and sturdy.  I love mine and it got good reviews online.

Mrs. Pear- if you are making clothing, then yes, a serger makes a big difference.  You create and finish and trim your seams all in a single step.  If you are only sewing crafts (quilts, softies, curtains, etc), then a sewing machine will do the job just fine.  Sergers work like a dream on knit fabrics that sewing machines don't handle nearly as well.

It's not that you CAN'T make this stuff without a serger, but it is definitely easier.

Trina