I have only used mine for myself and friends but would love to do it for a small business.

I have an Innova 22 inch on a 12 foot frame. This is my 3rd frame and my 4th machine and I am HOME! I have quilted for others (limited number as I am SLOW), but 2014 is my year for 'selfish quilting'. I am only doing my own projects and work where my whim dictates. I will have an empty next this year and I am enjoying picking what BETH wants to work on! I will reevaluate where I want to go in 2015, but this year is Mine!

What would a used long arm machine go for? Ballpark figure? The ones I've seen on Craig's list seem to have close to the same price as new machines?

I bought a used machine several years back. I mainly quilt for myself and have a few friends that I quilt for. I do not have a business per-se, just word of mouth and I am as busy as I want to be. I, like many of the others that have posted, do not plan to go into business, there would be no time for my personal sewing.

I have a Tin Lizzie sit down model and only quilt for friends and family. When I quilt for a friend I give them tasks in my quilt room (sorting scraps, cutting, etc) while I quilt for them this way I'm working the same amount of time as they are.
I won't quilt for a business because it stresses me out too much.
I do hope that the majority of my friends will do their own quilting so I'm not held responsible for the end result..

I have an HQ16 - only for myself.

I run an embroidery business with customers all day long and my quilting is just for me!

Me too, I do have friends who quilt their own quilts on my machine, this makes for some fun get-together days quilting.

Guilty. Have a Tin Lizzie 18. My sister bought it for me so I could quilt all of our quilts. I do not do for other people , do not have time. I have 18 right now to do for myself. Just finished all but one of hers. I still hand quilt some.

There are several local talented longarm quilters who do breath-taking custom work. Granted they make big bucks ($500- $2,000 per quilt) but I'm retired and have no intention of working that hard again. I mainly longarm quilt for Project Linus and quilt guild community quilts. Living in a retirement area provides tons of fabric, quilting tools, thread and books for little cost. You aren't being selfish if you want a long arm just for yourself as a hobby. Instead think of the joy you are providing as your quilts go to a new home.

It's hard to give ballpark figures because ***so*** much depends on the brand and model of the machine and harp size, not to mention the frame. I got my bare bones Voyager 17 with Hinterberg stretch frame setup (bare bones because it does not have a stitch regulator) for $3,000. The same setup sells for $4,000 on the Hinterberg website. Another QB member found a used one with stitch regulator for $2,500 in the Chicago area. But this is ballpark only for this particular machine and frame.

Longarm dealers often have used setups for sale when clients want to upgrade (as many do over time). Also, there are some good online places to check out for used setups:
http://www.longarmuniversity.com/machines_for_sale.htm
http://www.houseofhanson.com/formerlyowned.html
and also the brand websites, such as APQS, etc.

Some quilters use a domestic machine on a homemade table frame, which is even less expensive. Check out these threads:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...k-t196187.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t195959.html