Hi Nana,
This is very long. Sorry I thought I was sending this as a PM.
I'm so sorry to hear about your service problems.
They probably send the machine to a repair service. This service could be anywhere. I would be more inclined to search out a local quilt shop for their service recommendation. Also most repair shops are very very busy, so waiting several weeks is not really unheard of. The time frame is quite normal from what some local repair shops quote for time turn around.
May I ask why you took the machine to Sears for service?
With repair shops associated with a quilt shop they will typically tell you up front how long the service turn around time is at the time you're dropping off your machine. It can then take longer if they have to order parts once they start on your machine.
With Sears, they're just not telling you up front how long the process is going to take and that is not good customer service practice.
This very situation is why you'll read that many quilters here at the board always have at least one backup machine. It can be an older machine. It may be the take along machine that they take to class. Many quilters have purchased the Janome Gem Platinum to take to class. They sometimes end using this machine for everyday. You may also want to get an entry level cheap machine to have for these occasions. The Gems are lighter in weight and smaller, most are 3/4 size machines. They work well for taking to class for these reasons. The higher end machine has more bells and whistles that quilters love to use.
I went to my local thrift store and found an older Singer machine. I started it up at the store and it seems to work fine. It does other than the bobbin winder doesn't work. I got a small SideWinder with a 50% coupon at JoAnns.
Also some have found good deals for an extra machine on craigslist or at freecycle. You might ask around to see if someone has an extra machine sitting around they don't want anymore and find a good backup machine.
Some quilters have recently been purchasing the older and vintage machines, some even have a treadle on hand for when the power goes out. The older machines quilters are getting are the older Singers and the Featherweight machines.
Hope this might help explain why it may be taking so long. I would definately search out a regular repair person. This may mean driving to another town, but may be worth it in the long run as you'll know exactly where your machine is located.
Pam M