Originally Posted by nhweaver
Originally Posted by romanojg
Originally Posted by nhweaver
Originally Posted by romanojg
As with everything, cars, computers, TVs or sewing machines; one mans love is another ones hatered of the product. There will always be either Viking lovers, Bernina lovers, etc. Also as with everything once in awhile a bad one will fall thru the crack and get sold; that is life rather it is mechanical or even the food that we eat. Alot of times shops change what they are selling in order to make a larger profit; nothing wrong with that but they should just say we changed our line and not belittle the other machine. How many times in the past few years have we heard of companines having problems and maybe facing bankruptcy and then to come out of the slump;look at Sears. I have a Singer of 26yrs that still works great, a Kenmore/Janome of 3yrs that works great and a Viking Mega quilter of 1yr; great machine and I have the Viking #1 in the shop that I have just replaced with a Viking Ruby. All of these machines are great but I've met others who have other machines and they feel the same way about thier machines; that's the way it should be. If Viking was such a poor quality machine they wouldn't still be selling and people like the ones on here that have had thiers for years and are holding on to them wouldn't exist. Keep on loving your machines; try out different ones at different shops if you decide to buy a new one. Each one offers something different.
I do think that there is poorer quality in the Made in China Vikings, and feedback on the internet backs up this issue. Each of us gets comfortable with the quirks of our machines, but at over $2000 I wish I checked to see if there was a positive return policy when I bought my Viking. The store demo machine was quiet, didn't vibrate, and sewed like a dream. I found out later the demo was Made in Sweden. At least the made in China ones should be priced lower by the company since it has to cost them less to manufacture. How about feedback from the Made in China Viking Sapphire owners out there. My advise here was to sew on the machine purchased at the store before taking it home, and make sure there is at least a 30 day return policy.
How do you tell if your machine is made in China or Sweeden? Mine was gently used when I bought it (7hrs used) and I know the previous owner and know that she takes really great care; she just wanted the next one up the line and could afford it so she traded mine in. I agree that you should ask to try the machine that you'll be taking home as well. As with all things they aren't all created equal even when they are supposed to be. I got a better warranty on my Viking #1 that I got on eBay than I got on my Ruby (even if I'd bought it new); eBay seller gave me a 2 yr warranty and he has the machine right now since I couldn't get it working right. I've had it almost a yr and could never get it to sew right and I have to admit that most of that time life got in the way so I didnt have time to send it back sooner but he sent UPS to the house to pick it up so that he could repair it. I would buy from him again in a heartbeat.
It didn't say so on the box, it says "A product of Swedish Heritage". Definitely nothing saying made in China. Even On the machinewhere you can see it says "engineered and designed in Sweden", but the bottom of the machine says Made in China. Viking sure tried to make the unassuming buyer
"think" they were getting a Swedish machine. Buyers beware!!!
I'll have to check when I get home. Thanks