Thread: Considering a Bernina

Ask before you buy ... and then there's no surprises!

As a point of interest ... my for machines purchased from my dealer (Janome+Bernina) you can make an appointment to bring your machine in for servicing with a 24 hr turnaround, providing there are not surprises. They keep a good inventory, so in most cases, it is just the 24 or less. For those who live out of town, they will even do it same day, while you are in town for errands, and so you don't have to make a second trip. For those who did not purchase there, your machine goes in teh queue when you deliver it ... and the appointments are kept, with the others filling in gaps between.

A friend of mine learned the lesson the hard way. She bought a deluxe machine at this dealer and was very happy. Then price shopped when buying her serger. Guess what? not long after she had problems with her serger, and the other dealer didn't follow thru. She totally regrets that "deal" ... and recognizes it was not a good deal!

The Bernina dealer is very important. Not all are equal and if the dealer doesn't have good customer service, Bernina company is hesitant to get involved, just leave it up to the dealer. The customer has to push the issue. I found that out with some guild members buying the new 830 and the shoddy customer service they received after their checks cleared. Get everything you expect in writing. Don't assume anything.

I don't have a Bernina, I have a Viking and you would think all stores would honor the agreement. Our teacher just took on a new student who bought a machine and was given the out of box demo and nothing else. Of course at Bellas they want everyone to be able to use what they bought and she only had to pay 40 for the yr to do the monthly classes and of course cost of project. I'd definitely get it all in writing and ask the store. No matter what machine you get; good customer service, classes and support are really the best. I tell everyone to test out different machines to see the different features. I love my Vikings but I took classes on the latest Brother this weekend and there are a lot of good things about this machine as well. I met one lady who bought a Babylock because that's what she could afford and didn't know if she'd get into embroidery enough to go bigger. She gets 2 classes and the teacher makes her feel like it's not important to teach her because she got a lower end machine. Thats messed up as far as I'm concerned. Good luck on what you get but talk to the store and get things in writing in case you move. If you have an idea where you might move find a dealer there and call them to see what their policy is.

I've had my Bernina 830 2 1/2 years and am still taking classes for free. My dealer is over 2 hours away and I have to travel over snowy mountain passes from October thru May, so I only have a few months a year to take classes. I think I will be taking classes for 4 years.
They just did my first cleaning this summer for free. They are very good to me. I put things off and they are patient with me. I appreciate them so much. I took one class this summer.

I have owned my Bernina for 14 years and have had only one problem in all that time and I bet I have sewn to the moon and back.

The knee lifter broke. It didn't stop the machine from working. I just had to raise the presser foot by hand untill It was fixed. I think it cost about 60.00 and that was mostly for labor.

I love my Bernina.
peace

EDIT: I want to add that my dealer is also teriffic. So many classes and very helpful in every way. I think if you move and find a new dealer they would be more than happy to care for you. Bernina will help you find the nearestone to your new home.