Vintage Bicycle

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for providing info. about your machines in my other thread. As you know from that thread, I'm shopping for a new machine. My most important features include a large harp space and beautiful, even stitches for FMQ. I have found what could be an amazing deal and I wanted to ask for your input and what I should be looking for/checking when I go to test drive her tonight!

On Craig's List, I found a lady who is selling her brand new Janome Horizon 7700. She's only had he machine for 3 weeks and sewed on it for approx. 20 hrs. I was really sceptical at first, thinking it was a lemon because why would you buy a new machine and sell it after only 3 weeks? I asked her about it and she said that she has a portable Janome to take to classes and a Bernina sewing and embroidery machine already and just bought the Horizon (without doing her homework) to put on a long arm quilting frame that she wants to get. A lady who has a frame told her she wouldn't be able to use the Horizon on a frame because, being a computerized machine, the vibration wouldn't allow the Horizon to tension properly. SO - although she likes the Horizon and hasn't had any problems with it, she needs to sell it in order to make room/$$ for the frame and another machine more suited to a frame.

Basically, she's got an almost new Horizon she's getting rid of (at a GOOD price) and I'm going to see it tonight. The thing is, I really want to do my best during the test drive to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Would those of you who have a Horizon (or know about them) please tell me what features I should check and how to check them? Also, if you can think of any specific questions I should ask her, I'd really appreciate it!!!!!! I'm excited!

Thanks!
Rebecca

MTS

If she's local to you, and the machine is only THREE??? weeks old, I would imagine it's still under warranty. And the dealer is ?nearby?.

I would be checking out how transferable it is, did/does the dealer include free lessons which still might be available for you to take, and the details of the warranty, and any servicing already done to the machine.

But it sounds like a great deal. Good luck.

Just Me...

I, personally, love Janomes. I used to sell them and think they are a great machine. Much more bang for your buck....and if you can get one for a great price...go for it! You won't be sorry. The 7700 comes with almost everything you would ever want!

Just Me...

The warranty transfers, but sometimes the free classes do not.

Vintage Bicycle

I called Janome yesterday and they told me that none of their warranties transfer to a second owner... :?: Would you buy a machine that was no longer under warranty???

DogHouseMom

Oh lucky you!!!

I don't have the 7700, I have the 6600 and based on that I would say test drive the following ...

Different thread weights in top and bottom. I've found it to be fussy with 60 wt in bobbin and 50 on top. Play, play, play with tension.

Accufeed foot, make sure you like it.

Play with some of the designer stitches including the letters.

Make sure you test piecing cotton as well as quilting it.

Also, I like piecing with the 1/4 accufeed foot. I use this foot and then re-position the needle for my "scant" 1/4 seam. Try piecing with it. I pieced tons of 1" strips and I will tell you that the foot is SOOO wide I couldn't hold my strip on the left of the needle to guide it through so I would guide it with pin heads I used to pin it. When I get near the end I have to use a stilletto for the last 1" or so to make sure it doesn't "migrate" to the left.

Also check out what attachements it comes with. Does it come with the single hole plate or just the regular plate? If you have to buy the single hole plate or any of the other attachments (like the 1/4" accufeed foot), then figure those costs into your total purchase.

Good luck - it's a great machine.

Just Me...

Did you call Janome or the Janome dealer? All you have to give them is the serial number and the warranty should transfer. They use the serial number to pull up the warranty info when servicing.

I would still buy it if it is a great buy. 90% of the service issues we had on the Janomes were because they were threaded wrong...either up top or in the bobbin. Customers would just get frustrated and have brain 'farts' when re-threading and usually they missed the loop on the needle bar, causing tension issues.

kraftykimberly

I have one, LOVE IT !!!

Dont forget to ask her if she has received the "replacement" 1/4" foot that Janome sends out when the owner registers the machine online. The early 7700's came with a flawed 1/4" foot so if her's is one of the first ones made they would have sent her the replacement foot.

Vintage Bicycle

I called the actual company, not the dealer. Do you think if I called the dealer with the serial number, they'd still honor the warranty?

Just Me...

We always did.....