Buying a new machine almost as bad as purchasing a car
I just retired (yeah!) and plan to spend more time volunteering at church and the guild making quilts. My little class machine has done well for the last 10 years, but I’m ready for more features. So for my birthday, I decided to ask for a new machine - one with a lot of bells and whistles.
My husband and I ventured out to the sewing store I have purchased several machines from (and I felt very loyal to). I was about to pull the trigger on a machine that had been used in a seminar for $2700. New for the same machine would be $3700 (MSRP $4995). I asked to test drive the open box machine and was very disappointed because the motor had a whiny noise that wasn’t right. I went home and did more research on what others have paid for the same machine and many purchased new in the box for $3000.
The sales lady -someone I think of as a friend- called me a few times with different options - the last one being an abandoned lay away where someone had put down $500 and they would sell to me for $3500. I offered $3000 and she told me “no way”.
The next day I drove to a dealer further from my home, but less than an hour away. Nice store, friendly people - a good first impression. I spent some time with the sales lady and then asked “how much?” It was $3000. When I asked if they could sweeten the deal, they threw in a $300 trolley I had been looking at. Sold!!!
Later the sales lady at store #1 called and told me she could offer me the machine at $3000. It made me sad since I did want to give her my business but on the other hand a fool and his money are soon parted...
Why do we have to play these games?