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#11
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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. |
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#12
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#13
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Robyn, I'd check the reviews in www.patternreview.com to see what people say
about whatever model you're looking at. Also, make sure the post is more than a few days old since many people believe the machine is wonderful in the beginning only to find out later it has bugs or doesn't meet their demands. I'd also buy from a dealer that you can upgrade should the model you bought not suit you. I did it three times in one year. All were traded for full paid price to the next model up. Prices are all over the place and usually better in larger cities where mulitple dealers exist. I drive over 200 miles to my dealer but his prices on the top-of-the-line models are often $2000 less than what the local dealer charges. You need to be comfotrable that you won't need service or instructions on a machine you buy over the internet or from a long-distance dealer though. The Janome Jem (or is it Gem?) seems to be a popular and well liked model by some that cart them to classes and leave their heavier and much more expensive Berninas at home. Good luck. Mack |
#14
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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. |
#16
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Wow, thanks all. I've been reading this discussion and storing all
your tips in my memory banks. I finally went out and got a machine - the Pfaff 1042. I'm in love with it so far :-) It does everything I want (auto buttonholes, many different stitches, has good design, etc.) I am most definitely a novice, so I don't know what others would think about my machine, but I've had a great time already and already made something on it! I made a cute little fabric holder thingy with elastic gusset things to hold all my different sized knitting needles. One slot for each size, plus plenty of room for notions, etc., and even a few pockets! :-) One craft fueling another, I guess. Anyway, my decision was made primarily based on the feature comparison from that Threads magazine, patternreview.com (thanks to the posters!), and somewhat from blind luck and good salespeople who helped me compare different models. Despite all the great resources you provided for me, I didn't find too many reviews before purchase... SO - I am now the proud owner, like it or not :-) I bought from a place that has classes, good upgrade policy, very nice helpful people, and a free get to know your sewing machine class (2 hours long). AND, the store is appropriately placed right next to a fabric store (a really good one), so I can kill two birds with one stone if I need to buy fabric and have a question. So now I guess I will go scouting for good beginner projects! Thanks again for your help! I'm sure you'll see me around these boards now that I've taken the plunge :-) Robyn Andy Dingley wrote in message . .. On 9 Nov 2003 10:05:44 -0800, (Robyn) wrote: 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. Go for cheap and reliable. IMHO, I like all-mechanical all-metal machines of the '70s or '80s. They go wrong, but they're still repairable in a way that so many more modern machines just turn into scrap. If it sews basic zigzags, then you can do bartacks. If you can do bartacks, you can do buttonholes. Automatic buttonholing is nice, but some of them are complex to setup or use, and they're all very dependent on the reliability of the feed mechanism, both forwards and backwards. I wouldn't rely on one unless it had some sort of top feed. Depending on what you sew, feed reliability can be significant. I bought my Pfaff because it has a top feed foot. It's not a full blown walking foot with a moving needle, like my Brother industrial, but it's enough to sew pucker-free kites in thin, slippery ripstop. Ergonomics are important too. I like my Pfaff because its so good at this. I can reverse the feed by pressing a control (quick for scooting back and forth) or by moving that same control the other way (hands free). Little features like "stop at the top" and auto-threading are nice, but I could live without. Flatbeds and sleeve arms might be important to you. All of my machines are flatbeds (by accident) and that is sometimes a little inconvenient. When I see the price of a new machine, and the flimsy looking construction, I'm glad that mine is twenty years old and cost me peanuts. |
#17
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Congratulations on your new machine!
I have a Pfaff also -- Pfaff Creative 1475 CD. Thanks for reminding me how I was in love with my machine when I first got it back in the early 90's. I've done so little sewing these past several years. Now you've got me excited again -- thank you! Since it's been so long, I feel like a novice too. I'm on break until December 1, so I'll be reading to see what you choose for your first project. And maybe I'll get a project done too. Kay Ahr in Reno To reply directly to me, remove "WESTHI" in the email address. --------------------------------- "Robyn" wrote in message om... Wow, thanks all. I've been reading this discussion and storing all your tips in my memory banks. I finally went out and got a machine - the Pfaff 1042. I'm in love with it so far :-) It does everything I want (auto buttonholes, many different stitches, has good design, etc.) I am most definitely a novice, so I don't know what others would think about my machine, but I've had a great time already and already made something on it! |
#18
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The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can drive
local stores out of business . I don't think that's it at all- the prices could be posted, but they could not allow internet sales. I just want to be able to compare prices easily for different brands with different features without having to travel hundreds of miles to go to different shops. Also, when they have these "sales" you would know if you really were getting a deal- as it stands now, they could say you're getting 25% off and charge you the regular price- how would you know? SueS |
#19
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I guess to me it makes sense that the manufacturers don't post the
prices. This could potentially undercut retailers. What I _don't_ understand is that even the online vendors that have nothing to do with the manufacturers don't post prices. How is the sewing machine business any different from the stereo, computer, clothing, or any other business? In other industries, many vendors don't post prices, but online e-commerce websites are free to do what they want. This keeps capitalism alive and well, in my opinion... Just my $.02! Robyn P.S., I'm glad I already decided on my machine so I don't have to keep hunting for prices :-) OSPAM (Shstringfellow) wrote in message ... The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can drive local stores out of business . I don't think that's it at all- the prices could be posted, but they could not allow internet sales. I just want to be able to compare prices easily for different brands with different features without having to travel hundreds of miles to go to different shops. Also, when they have these "sales" you would know if you really were getting a deal- as it stands now, they could say you're getting 25% off and charge you the regular price- how would you know? SueS |
#20
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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. But then try to get it serviced on the Internet! Dont expect your local store to do it. Roger. -- Yarn Forward Your On Line Yarn Store http://www.yarnforward.com |
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