I noticed Margaret uses an HQ and Angela Walters switched from Gammil to HQ. I wonder at times how easy it is or isn't for them to speak completely bluntly and honestly as they have many eyes and ears upon them! Curious if anyone has switched from one of the "big" brands like APQS, Nolting, or Gammil to a Handi Quilter without regrets.
In all honesty in this day and age there aren't too many I totally would NOT get. I think most of them are pretty reputable. I am pretty brand loyal to APQS I will be honest since I've had such great luck with the machine. But there are some real enticing things about Handi Quilter for me. I am agonizing a bit over the decision to be honest!
Thank you for your thoughts and feedback!
Originally Posted by
feline fanatic
Ah, Having a local dealer is a mighty advantage. When my baby broke beyond any help to the point she had to go back to the factory in Texas (those were dark times in the Kingdom!), my dealer came to my house, picked it up, Crated it to factory specs because she had to travel via common carrier and brought it back to my home and reinstalled it all at no charge. ABM made all the shipping arrangements for me. I was too distraught to do anything and LAQ is only a part time passion for me.
ABM customer service is also awesome. It is 24-7-365. I got a service tech on the phone once over Christmas weekend. I didn't call Christmas day, wouldn't want it done to me and would never do it to someone else, but I did call over the holiday weekend. IMHO a good dealer is worth their weight in gold as well as factory support. All important things to consider in your decision.
There are some big time award winners who use HQ. Margaret Soloman Gunn quilts on an Avante, I believe. She uses her machine for commercial. I bet they have amended their warranty on that.