sewing machine prices?

Hi all!

I've been searching this list and finding some great useful info on
purchasing a new sewing machine. You've all been a great help so far!
I'm having a tough time finding out some things, however, and am
wondering if you could offer some help...

I'm currently looking to buy my first sewing machine. I'd like for it
to be able to do buttonholes, and a reasonable number of stitches. I
don't need anything TOO fancy right now, but feel that I'll want to
get into quilting soon, and may want more advanced functionality
later. Anyway, my question is not about what machine I should get
(though ANY suggestions would be helpful!!!).

Here's my issue: I've been researching machines online and find
myself continuously frustrated by the lack of information out there
about the machines and the prices! I'm hard pressed to find any kind
of user reviews and recommendations (save for lists like this :-) ).
I've been into one or two specialized sewing machine dealers and find
them helpful and knowledgeable, but seeing as I like to research
things online before I buy, I'm really feeling information-deprived
about my comparison shopping. AND, I really don't have the means to
travel around to tons of different little sewing shops to price
compare/feature compare. So my question: Are there any good websites
out there with user reviews and _prices_ of sewing machines? Is there
any kind of buyer's FAQ about certain models/brands? (I've already
read the one that gets posted here frequently). Where do you folks
look for this kind of information?

Thanks!
Robyn

Robyn wrote:

compare/feature compare. So my question: Are there any good websites
out there with user reviews and _prices_ of sewing machines? Is there
any kind of buyer's FAQ about certain models/brands? (I've already

Many of the better makers of sewing machines do not allow dealers to
post prices on the internet.

You might find prices on epinions.com, but you don't know the level of
experience of the people buying the machines. Maybe froogle.com might
also have information.

Seems to me that some place like patternreviews.com has sewing machine
reviews, but I don't remember exactly where I saw it.

--
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.
I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa

"Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply" wrote in
message ...
Seems to me that some place like patternreviews.com has sewing machine
reviews, but I don't remember exactly where I saw it.

www.patternreview.com, click on "sewing machine and serger reviews" in the
dark red bar on the left.

Hi, Melinda!

Sally H

Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003), or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands
didn't allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine
industry is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it
feel as stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if
you're getting taken or not...

Anyway, thanks again!

-Robyn

pamless (SewStorm) wrote in message ...
Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003), or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

sewing machine prices?

(Robyn)
Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands didn't
allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine industry
is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it feel as
stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if you're
getting taken or not...
---
The sewing machine industry isn't the only cadgy one---have you ever
tried to compare/price irons? Don't bother: every store carries a
different model, with a different number, different features, varying
prices, etc.
Same for many vacuums, unless you stick with TOL models.
Have you been referred to the newsgroup post buying a new sewing
machine?
Penny posts it regularly, and you can Google it any time.
Cea

Have you been referred to the newsgroup post buying a new
sewing machine?
Penny posts it regularly, and you can Google it any time.
Cea


What Machine Should I Buy FAQ:
www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can drive
local stores out of business . It is not uncommon for people to go to a
local store to see and try out a machine then go on the internet and find a
better price. A local store cannot stay in business just as a demo facility.


"Robyn" wrote in message
om...
Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands
didn't allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine
industry is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it
feel as stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if
you're getting taken or not...

Anyway, thanks again!

-Robyn

pamless (SewStorm) wrote in message
...
Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing
machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can
find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003),
or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

CW wrote:
The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can drive
local stores out of business . It is not uncommon for people to go to a
local store to see and try out a machine then go on the internet and find a
better price. A local store cannot stay in business just as a demo facility.


However, some of us don't have local dealers. Some have
local dealers for only one or two machine lines. Those
dealers may be good....or may have a terrible track record
with the Chamber of Commerce and Small Claims Court. So,
being able to buy on the Internet or telephone is a life
saver for some of us.

The Worst Dealer of the Year is the fellow now in jail for
throwing bleach on a customer's quilts at a national quilt
show.
--

Joanne
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
Life is about the journey, not about the destination.

True but the reason still stands.

"Me" wrote in message
...
CW wrote:
The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can
drive
local stores out of business . It is not uncommon for people to go to a
local store to see and try out a machine then go on the internet and
find a
better price. A local store cannot stay in business just as a demo
facility.


However, some of us don't have local dealers. Some have
local dealers for only one or two machine lines. Those
dealers may be good....or may have a terrible track record
with the Chamber of Commerce and Small Claims Court. So,
being able to buy on the Internet or telephone is a life
saver for some of us.

The Worst Dealer of the Year is the fellow now in jail for
throwing bleach on a customer's quilts at a national quilt
show.
--

Joanne
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
Life is about the journey, not about the destination.