DawnFurlong

I was in a local Joann Fabrics store today when this sewing machine caught my eye. Both because of the harp space and because of the price. It was the floor model listed for $949.

I currently have a Janome 4800, and was hoping to upgrade sometime this year (had my eye on a Janome 6600). These seem to be retailing for around $1400, give or take. I want a machine that has a bigger harp space.

I test drove the Sapphire - and I was in sewing machine love!!! My Janome feels like a total clunker compared to the way the Sapphire felt. I tried different feet, FMQ, etc. Love, love, love it!!

So, I came home to research the machine (reviews, pricing, etc). I called another dealer in my area. They have the same machine for $989. The lady at Joann's said that model is usually on sale there for $1099. I can't seem to find what the average retail price for this machine is.

My thinking is - if I can get one somewhere else for $989, then $949 for a floor model is a little high. But then again, I don't know how much of a "discount" is usually given for buying a store model. I was thinking around $150. Is this about right? Therefore I was wondering about making an offer for the floor model at Joann's (I was thinking around $850 - $875).

What do you think? What would be a fair price for this model? I haven't shopped sewing machines for some time. I would love a great deal - but also want to be fair.

Dawn

Hinterland

What feet are they including? The walking foot is pretty expensive, so you might ask them to include that, and whatever free motion foot you like.

Janet

athomenow

I used to sell Vikings in the JoAnns stores and we usually marked our floor models about $100 off. Keep in mind that the sewing machines aren't really used alot. People come in a test drive but really they just sit there most of the time. The embroidery machines are usually going constantly so I would have to have a lot more off of them. The machines have to be checked out by a tech before selling them so you would have that assurance. Is this the 875 or the 850?

valleyquiltermo

Well of course it's up to you but I perfer to open mine fresh out of the box, no one else has used it before.

nhweaver

I would tell her what you found pricewise elsewhere. and then I would ask for the walking foot, and a extra pack of 20 bobbins and see if she would negotiate a little off. If you drove this machine and love it, I would buy it. Each machine has a bit of a quirk sometimes. I loved the sapphire 875 model that I drove in the store, but bought a new one. I am not happy with the new one, it is the loudest machine I have ever used, and after 1 year it is in the repair shop, the threader feature doesn't work, and it has begun to clank. Wish I would have bought the one I drove.

katier825

Three years ago I got my Sapphire 830 for $899 (also a floor model). I don't think that price is too bad. I think they go around $1200 new. I'd ask them to throw in the walking foot with the snap on feet. It's expensive to buy separately. Do you get classes with that? I bought mine at a LQS that offers unlimited free classes with purchase. I've brought it in a few times when I first got it and she taught me whatever I wanted to know. It is a little different getting used to because everything is automatic.

athomenow

I wouldn't pay that for the 835. Also I would only buy one made in Sweden and not the ones made in China so check that out. Not as good.

DawnFurlong

The model is an 835. Basic feet come with it (I primarily quilt - so my interest in in the 1/4 inch foot, a walking foot and a FMQ foot). Seems like she indicated that the FMQ foot and 1/4 inch foot were both around $30-$35, give or take - and right now their feet are 15% off. I didn't ask how much the walking foot was. How expensive is expensive? I am thinking that one will run around $100 by the comments?

Classes offered with purchase of the machine are two 2-hour classes. I didn't ask where it would have to be sent for servicing should it need that. I will have to check that out. And I think a visit to the other dealer is in order for a test drive. The other dealer also sells Janome I believe, so I could test both the Janome 6600 and the 835 to see what I think. They might also offer me a trade in deal, not sure. I kind of wanted to keep my Janome 4800, but willing to part with it if I need to in order to help hubby feel good about it. :-) I do have another machine that I could use for piecing if I needed to. I think if I part with my Janome 4800, in a couple of years I would search for a relatively inexpensive basic machine for back up/classes.

I so appreciate the input!! Thank you!!

DawnFurlong

Ok, so went to the other local dealer so I could see the Janome 6600 and the Sapphire 835. I believe I prefer to Sapphire. I really like the feature that you press the pedal and off it goes. No more presser foot. Was told the walking foot runs around $120. Yikes!!! That is steep. The price at the 2nd dealer was actually $979 - new. That is a sales price. The manager told me the price usually varies from the price it is now to about $1100. Funny, he recommended the Janome, though he told me he was a Viking person (has a Viking, sold only Vikings for 6 years). Said it was a more heavy duty machine. Especially if I was sewing on heavier fabrics (demonstrated running multiple layers of denim through it). Seeing as the salesperson at the 1st dealer ran very thin fabric through followed up by denim - and the machine took it with no problems PLUS adjusted for the difference in tension/pressure - I am not seeing the Sapphire as being a lightweight. I have the feeling the recommendation is more based on price.

I tried FMQ on the Sapphire. It was like a dream. Tension right from the get go. I am still learning, and I feel like I have to fight with my Janome 4800, it is so finicky with everything being just so. I actually tried FMQ on the 6300 - and seemed just like with my Janome 4800. If my speed is just a little off - have bobbin thread showing on the back. He agreed with me on that, did a quick demo in which he was able to replicate my problem. Some of his stitches were nice, some displayed the bobbin thread on the back. Ditto for me...some nice, others not. With the Sapphire I was able to get better FMQ stitches right off the bat. The thought of spending that much $$$ on a sewing machine and still having some of the same issues with FMQ that I have now - that's just depressing. I think the stitch quality seemed a little better on the Sapphire - but if so, it is not so much that this would sway me off the Janome if I were leaning that way.

Hmmm...some thinking to do. If I do go back to Joann's, I think I will try asking for the walking foot to be included, as well as the FMQ foot and bobbins. Definitely the walking foot at a minimum. When I saw the price at Joann's, along with the harp space and other features included, I thought that model must normally sell for so much more - based on prices I have seen on machines that feature a bigger harp space. I don't feel so pressured knowing that even on the higher end of the Sapphire prices, it is still less than the Janome. And if I am unable to purchase the sewing machine now, I can wait until the next sale comes along. But of course, would rather have it now if possible!!

sewbeadit

One of the other threads mentioned that the dealers had the 7700 janome on special for a really good price. Maybe check into that.