I’ve currently got a Maker and I use it regularly. I do a lot of clothing, baby clothes, friends weddings, Christmas stuff and stencils for glass etching and pyrography. I get asked to do a lot for friends and family, especially at Christmas time, and I do (or did) the odd craft fair, but I don’t want the hassle of worrying about sales, so I don’t sell as a rule.
It’s absolutely not a cheap hobby. My initial outlay was probably around £1500 and I spend more every month. You can get vinyl reasonably cheaply but you need tools, mats, a decent heat press and everything blank you see, you’ll start looking at with a view to doing something with it. You’ll need a lot of storage! You’ll also need to download the free app (Design Space) which you can subscribe to for £7. odd a month, although you don’t have to. You can also download it before you have a machine and you get a 30 day free trial. Even if you subscribe, there’s still stuff you’d have to pay extra to use, but I think it’s worth it. Also, the US gets access to some copyrighted designs that the UK doesn’t get. You can work from a phone or iPad but there’ll be functions you’ll need a laptop or pc for. You might also need a printer etc. Costco occasionally do bundles but not in every store and they go very quickly.
If you’re thinking of starting a business, be aware that everyone and their dog bought a Cricut over lockdown with the same idea. Some are really successful but most aren’t. You’ll also need insurance and to be aware of Trading standards (children’s nightwear needs to be tested etc) & copyright. Plus lots of big stores are selling the sort of things that you’d be making, for much, much cheaper than it would cost you to make it. Also, you need to be good enough to actually make the stuff. You’d be surprised at the number of people who go onto Cricut forums saying that their machine arrived yesterday, they’ve got an order for 20 Disney themed t shirts and they need to know how to do them. You’ll need a basic level of knowledge (and Design Space is not necessarily the easiest software to manage!) like the difference between vinyls, different htv for different fabrics, not layering on glitter etc. Jennifer Maker on YouTube is good for learning.
If you get a joy, you’re limited to the width of the machine. It’s portable but it’s the most basic. The Explore is the middle machine and is perfect if you only really want to work with card or vinyl. The Maker is the best and it’s sold as being ‘future proof’. Tbh, the more you use it, the more you’ll want to try. You can do thin wood (it has to fit under the rollers), fabric, leather, you can engrave, all sorts. If you buy a second hand one, don’t get it if it uses cartridges as those machines are now obsolete.