There is a full page ad in the paper advertising Singer Heavy Duty School Model Sew & Serge Sewing Machines on sale at two locations for one day only for $149.
The ad says they are 2008 Singer machines with a metal hook (whatever that is) and are new in factory sealed cartons with 25 year limited warranty included. The description tells me that it does buttonholes, invisible blind hems, monograms, double seams, zippers, sews on buttons, darning, appliqué, zig-zag, basting, pin tucking, quilting.....just turn the dial to Sew Magic. Next it says that it has a professional serging stitch that allows you to sew a seam and serge the edge of the material in one operation. Sew & serge cutter that trims the fabric with purchase of machines. Humm?
And then it says that it is designed to sew all fabrics without pressure adjustments (lLevis, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch materials, silk, percale, organdy and leather).
This ad shows the Singer name, but does not say who made the machines or where they are made.
Tell me what you think. Is it a deal or a dud?

I really dont know, I used to see those adds in the Enid paper all the time, but havent seen any lately.

May be worth checking out, but ya know...sometimes that old saying if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is just may apply. Let us know what you find out ok!!

Save your money. They're pieces of junk. Our quilt group bought one and only used it 3 times, and it was trash. You can get a pretty good Elna for a little more, but it's a lot better machine.

Thank you Pocoellie. The price sounds so tempting, but it doesn't tell those important details of who made it and where it was made.
My machine is 35 years old so if I am going to replace it, I need to find something really great. Thanks so much.

I'd be afraid they were factory seconds that had a flaw in the design or a knock-off!

Run the other way!! I bought the "teacher's" version (the "good one") for a whole lot more than my present machine. In the 2-1/2 years I ran the Singer, it was in the shop twice. The third time I just bought a new Sears machine, rather than throw good money after bad. When it was open, you could see that the "commercial quality" parts were just plastic. The one I had was made in Brazil.

The Sew & serge cutter is just a cheepie attachment that looks to rickety to be of any use.

You are the experts and I am listening. I appreciate all that you are telling me. Thanks so very much.

I just noticed that you mentioned Enid inyour post. My son and DIL live there, military, and I am planning on being there the end of August to see my new grand baby. Are you in the military?

Hi sewwjudy, No actually we live about 20 miles west of Enid, Have lived in this area most of my life. Give me a holler when you come and maybe we can do lunch!!!

OK I went to the sewing machine sale. The man was trying to demonstrate three machines......yup, he had three. He did not use the student model, #1507 and said that you would only use it for woven material, not material that stretches. He did not use the Curvy Singer, #8763, saying he sold the last one he had yesterday. So all he showed me was the Teacher model, #2662. He said you could sew leather and other think materials on it, I checked his stitches and they looked just a little off to me. He said this machine had the button-holler attachment and had a serge and cutting attachment (which would be shipped separately). He had some trouble getting the surge attachment to work. He finished his demonstration before he showed appliqué, monograms, double seams, zippers, pin tucking, darning, blind hems, and buttons. I asked him about the quilting and he showed me that the presser foot would adjust to the thickness of a quilt. I asked about darning foot and walking foot and he faced me and told me that they don't come with the machine, but he would give me one if I bought the machine. Ok, now I asked him where the machine was made and he said China. I asked him if the machine had plastic parts and he gave me a mad look and said it wasn't plastic, it was a stronger space-age product. I asked him how many machines were returned because of breakage......he said it was not true that these machines break and if I bought the machine I could return it within 3 days for my money back, but if I needed a repair, they would send me a new machine. Then he turned around and addressed someone else in the crowd and wouldn't look at me.
I looked those three machines up. He wanted $149. for the student model and you can get it on line for $99. The Curvy Electronic # 8763 was tricky. The web site showed Martha Stewart demonstrating one, but she did not show which version of #8763 she was using (there are two). He wanted $349., while the internet said I could buy it at any of 5 local stores. I went to those 5 internet addresses and they don't list them for sale. I checked back at the internet sales site and found that you could order it on line for $299. Now here's the deal with the Teacher Model # 8763. I did not find any stores that carry it and I did not find any internet site that sells the new machines, but you can buy factory refurbished machines of this number for $149.....remember, he wanted $269. He sold a lot of those machines, even with me standing there asking him all these questions. Oh well, I didn't buy one. :)

You did good! :D

I would like to say that I do think that Singer has some great sewing machines on the market. I think I must do more research and try many machines before I purchase my next machine. I think these one day sales from 11 am to 3 pm may be selling over priced machines that aren't quite what the salesman says they are. My grandmother had a Singer, my mother had a Singer, and I won awards in school with a Singer....so basically I have no problem with Singer. :thumbup:

This is a DUD!!!!! Please don't waste your money. I know of 2 quilters who have taken up on this offer and were sadly disappointed. They broke down and no one would fix them. Couldn't get parts replaced. Very bad deal. It is false advertising.
If you want a machine for quilting buy one that has metal gears. A Singer does not, use to in the past, but not anymore. Was told this by a store that sells Singer. But they are good machines for lighter sewing.

Thanks buttercup. I appreciate your reply. And I do mean that....... :thumbup:

I saw the ad in Beaumont, TX. Let me know if it's any good. Thanks. [email protected]

I saw the ad in Beaumont, TX. Let me know if it's any good. I don't want it for quilting, just regular sewing. Thanks. [email protected]

Hi Lana,
I don't know if the machines are good or not. I did not buy one. There were a lot of people burying them, the salesman was very busy. I do know that you can get those particular machines cheaper on the internet and in stores that carry them. Thanks for asking.

Hi, I just joined this forum and I wanted to thank all of you from saving me a trip to the Singer Heavy duty sew and serge sewing machine sale! I too have been debating on these machines and you all have convinced me not to even bother. Thank you so much!! Now, does anyone know of a good embroidery sewing machine? Thanks,Val :D

I have had my singer for almost 30 years. It has been thru a fire, water damage and more. It works wonderful. I use it daily and have done this for years. It's been in the repair shop once. It needed a new part. They cleaned it and replaced the part for $68.00 total.

Thanks oklahoma Suzie, I am new to all of this and want a good and dependable machine. I want to be able to make quilts and clothes for my kids. thank you

Oklahoma, unfortunately the new Singers aren't nearly as good as the older ones.

So true. Remember, the salesman told me these machines don't break, they are made of space age material. In 1970 they called plastic "Space Age " material. There are plenty people around who will tell you that these particular machines do break and are a waste of money. The older machines are made of better stuff.

there are several good embroidery machines out there. Janome or Viking are excellent machines (I don't sell them) I just buy them LOL but I would go to a dealer who sells machines. Try them out and know that your dealer will stand behind it if something goes wrong. However I have had my two embroidery machines back only once for general cleaning etc. One I have had for 10 yrs and the other for 2 years. Good Luck in whatever you decide Marge

I love Janome sewing machines. I had a Memorycraft 4000 for many years and upgraded to a 4800 8 years ago. It has never let me down.

Thank you all for your help!! Like I said this is all new to me and now I can't wait to get started!! :D

Many years ago I purchased one of those machines. (Of course, without the serger features.) It is a very sturdy machine. I even used it to teach a class at a local fabric store. It does well on mending and hemming jeans. I have another machine with electronic features, but I still use the "school machine" for heavy duty sewing.

The old Singer machine that your mother etc...had were
wonderful machines, the new ones don't measure up IMHO. I have Singer machines from the 20s-60s and they are wonderful; they have no plastic parts to wear out.
I used to sell new Singers and they are loud and don't really like to sew anything heavier than 2 layers of quilt fabric. The new Vikings are great machines, even the low end Emerald line will sew circles around the current crop of Singer machines.
Sharon W.

I agree. I would not buy one of the new Singers that are on the market today.

Welcome from Michigan.

I see that these posts were from 2008, but sure helped me just now.

A neighbor gave me an ad that appeared in the St. Petersburg Times about these machines on sale. I have been looking for a machine to leave here in FL and not tote my Viking back and forth. You saved me even going and looking at them. The ad was worded just as you quoted.

Jean in MI/FL

I'm so glad I saw this post. I was thinking of getting one tomorrow. I think I'll wait.

wow I hope you find out some concrete advice.......welcome form Napa valley in California!

This same exact sale is being advertised for K-Mart in Delaware for 3/17/2013. Amazing that 5 years later they are still getting away with the same scam. $129 in this ad with teacher models for $199 & $299. Makes me want to print out this post and all the comments and pass it out to everyone that shows up!! Or better yet, picket in the parking lot, LOL! I can't stand rip-off artists!

Welcome from Adrian, MI ~ probably wouldn't be a bad beginner machine.

A friend and I each bought one of the school Singer machines years ago at Hancocks several years ago. We both found them to be very cheaply made. Perhaps things have improved since them.

We had one donated to our sewing group. It is a cheap plastic machine, the serging cutter is for light weight material. The blade is very small. It is used by school kids learning to sew. We already had problems with it when the foot lifter snapped out of alignment. I can't wait for the next breakdown. :p Ha Ha I personaly would not pay $50.00 for it.

Well, here it is 10 years later and these machines are still being sold at the Dollar General. But for $139 now. My DH saw the ad in the paper today and brought it to my attention, since I had expressed some interest in a serger. I googled and came up with this thread from 2008.
I am definitely not tempted, but I thought I would bring up this subject again to help any newbies out there avoid a $139 mistake.