Hi Steph,
I too am just buying my first Embroidery Machine. I looked at the Toyota EPS9100 and many others. I looked at machine reliablility, software that came with the machine, and backup support for both software and machine. I asked about this machine on US and Uk forums. I had NO replies about it from the US but from the GB sites I had many positive and helpful replies. If you ask on
www.embroideryforums.co.uk there are people with this machine. I also saw a user with a Toyota and he could say nothing bad about it, he is also buying his second machine (Toyota) now.
I was going to choose the Toyota but the support for where I live is 7 hours away from me. I chose the Barudan because they are only 20mins away. I live in Germany and here when you buy any machine you get everything with it. Software and machine training, installation to my workshop, telephone help and I can go in and see them for help if I want.
These machines are industrial level and not semi industrial. I found the price for the Toyota is the cheapest of these type of machines but the most expensive was only 1000 pounds more.
If you go to the NEC exhibition in Feb/March/April(?) you should get a discount too.
Hope this is helpful and good luck.
Post if you want more info.
Earl...