sewing machines, not for quilting

I started out with a "just for occasional use" machine, a pretty
generic one I COULD have gotten anywhere - however, I very much agree
with everyone here who has said go to a *dealer*. We don't have
JoAnn's in Canada, but I would certainly check with wherever - do they
have a trained mechanic on-site, do they handle warranty themselves,
also on-site, is there annual service included, etc etc.

A good dealer will sit down with your friend and let her try all kinds
of machines. They'll ask what she wants TO DO, not what features she
wants, because they shouldn't expect you know the machines already,
they should expect you have something you want to get done and their
job is to help figure out what you need to do it. I'd be very
concerned that a big chain store wants to sell you what they've got -
not what you need. Different brands and different models will suit
different people. Dealers will usually sell several different brands,
and will also stand behind them -because they don't sell machines that
come back and cause them trouble, it's bad for business.

I'm always bragging about the mom'n'pop sewing store I deal with. In
1992, a know-nothing university student went looking for a basic
machine to hem pants and do the odd repair with. I was treated no
differently than if I walked in and said "money's no object, gimme top
of the line". I spent a few hours trying things out and learning about
machines, and in the end bought the cheapest thing they had, budget
being my major concern at the time.
They still included their 5-years warranty and service - including a
free annual tune-up - and both a custom, short lesson when I bought it
and a free half-day "sewing basics" class .

They earned $220 of my business that day - and thousands and thousands
more since, because I'll never go anywhere else.

Johanna






Martha wrote:
A friend of mine is thinking of buying a sewing machine for "occasional
household sewing" plus making comforter covers. She is looking to spend
a maximum of several hundred dollars.

Nearby dealers include Janome, White, Husqvarna, Viking.

Any thoughts on brands? Or Joann's vs other dealers?

She has tried a couple of models of each of the above, and does have
some she likes better than others. But I offered to check with you
folks, since I only know one brand, and you all have wide experience.

TIA!

Martha

that may be a problem. G In many areas there is a deficiency of
trained sewing machine technicians. Viking/Husqvarna owned stores often
send machines to a central repair facility. (in our region it happens
to be the store that I have used for years.) All machines that need
service from the area, including some out of town are brought to this
one shop. There are some warranties that will only be honored at a
factory authorized repair facility too.
On the other hand, I know that any of our local stores, including the
ones inside Jo-Ann's will provide owner's classes and so on, regardless
of where the machine was purchased. That is part of the purchase from
the company. If there is a store that won't provide such service, I
would check with the regional manager or company office in Ohio.

G (It's nice having an "in" with people in the company.)

Pati, in Phx

FurrsomeThreesome wrote:

do they
have a trained mechanic on-site, do they handle warranty themselves,
also on-site, is there annual service included, etc etc.