Hi,
The last week of Nov I bought a floor model sewing machine, they claimed it had less than 30 hours on it. Well, I got it home and couldn't get the bottom stitches to sew right, took it back after the holidays, left it with the dealer. A week later I got it back and found out the timing was bad from the factory, got it fixed -- I have a 2 year warranty on the labor. The machine started acting up again, sometime stopping completely, and at times felt sluggish. I wanted to take it back, but with the bad weather the roads were too bad, (I brought it from a shop 100 miles from my home) finally, the last week in Feb I took it to the shop, it still isn't fixed, they send it back to the factory. I told the owner I would like a new machine, but he said until there is a track record of the machine not working they don't do that. I paid with a check and now don't know what to do. Any suggestions?? They did give me a machine to use while mine is being fixed.

I's definitely write to the company...address it to the President, tho that individual may never actually see it, someone will get back to you...and if not, write again. The dealer's statement about not replacing a machine if it has a history of problems is bogus! A tactful letter with the facts clearly written out will do more faster than almost any other tactic. Good luck.

Feel your pain! I'd want a new one as well. Try to pin them down on what they consider a "track record of not working" Sounds to me like you already have that. Good Luck!

sounds like you got a lemon read your sales agreement contact the consumer protection agency in your state also the manufacturer

Google your state's "lemon law". What brand and model machine is it? Some brands are not very good. That might give some indication of whether the problems are associated with poor manufacture or with excessive use/misuse on the floor.

I would call the machine company asking them if there have been other machine of this modle with this problem,I would also ask that they give me in something in writting what all they have fix. I would call the store and tell the dealer that this machine did not have 30 hrs of use( no way can you have such problem with only 30 hrs of use on it ) and that you want another machine after this last time you take it home. I would also tell the dealer that If he don't play nice and ensures that nothing else is wrong with this machine you are going to call and complain to the better business and post the company and his store on our quilting blog and tell everyone about their handling of the situation. Also, if the store is on the internet I would post something on a review section, about this situation and it outcome. (The power of the PEN/Internet) Hey, my girl friend mother when we were young brought a pair of skates and they broke after the first use, she wanted to return them and the deal would not exchange them so she dress us up with pickit signs in front of the store in protest about this, it worked she got new skates.

there probably is a lemon law. so many complaints within a certain amt of time. ask about that and get a new one.
a lady at Sears finally told about the lemon law and said one more complaint on our 13 yr old monster of a built in oven, i'd get a new one! i did too!!!

What the heck constitutes a "track record of the machine not working" you have had to take it in for service 3 times in as many months? I would mention that little gem to the dealer and ask what constitutes a track record of the machine not working if not this?

I would write the company and give a list of reapirs.and tell them you are not happy....

Yep. I had trouble with my floor model, too. The thread was jumping back through a path it should only travel once! So it made a thunking noise when it was doing this and then it would break the thread. VERY annoying. They kept trying to tell me it was because I was putting my thread spool on in the wrong direction. I tried every way there was to put it on the machine and also tried a holder behind the machine. Same problem. After about six times in to get it fixed, they called and said I was getting a new machine since they couldn't get mine to stop doing what it was doing. I am very happy now!

Thanks for the advise everyone. I will send a email Monday, probably copt the company. Wish me luch in getting a new one.

I know with a car its considered a lemon if it breaks down 3 times in its first year but don't know if that applies to a sewing machine. A letter to the company is a good start.

Personally, i would send a hand written letter also, or type in a word program. print and then sign it.
i wish you luck..! I hope you get a new one!

this is why we should keep a log with dates, times and the name of the person we talked to..in reguards to anything your trying to get done or fixed..

I would contact Better Business Bureau, and file a complaint. They will contact the dealer.

As above. Write all the Dates, where you took it machine for repairs, persons you spoke to, receipts, what you were told (take you time to remember), send to the higher in the chain of command and copies to ALL the others you can think of, including Quality Control, Finance Dept, BBB, etc. Make the letter business-like and to the point. Expressing that you do deserve a well working machine in the least. Ask what they intended to do regarding this and when you would expect some communication from them. I hope this helps in some way. I am myself in the process of this but a different situation and it has taken me over a month for a letter from the other side and I am still looking into this for myself. Don't give up on you. I wish you luck, stay strong.

we bought a fridge/freezer set similar to subzero @ sears a few years ago.. about a month after we bought it, we came home to a warm refridgerator after our annual anniversary weekend away... called sears they came out & fixed it

it died again after another month.. i told them i wanted a new one.. got the same answer... have to prove it is defective... hey.. broke down 2 times in 2 months... proof enough for me... we have the extended warrenty, and couldn't get the check for the food we lost either...

every time i tried to call, you couldn't get thru the voice mail... i finally got thru the voice mail to a real person.. i told them they either needed to replace the fidge, and send me the ck for the lost food, OR i would make it my business to be in thier appliance dept every sat speaking to their potential customers..until they did..

they finally replaced the fridge & sent the ck... but i wouldn't take a sear appliance now if someone gave it to me... and i tell everyone i know the same thing...

companies just don't understand how many people an individual can reach if they are really unhappy about a product or service...

I agree with ktbb. Several years ago I bought a new Kenmore. After several repairs due to broken needles each time I used it (it had a brent shaft that I told them about) I had been sewing for over 20 yrs so felt I did know something about the machines. They would return it in the same condition each time. Finally I found the Pres. Of the stores name and address and fired off a letter to him. Several days later the service truck pulled up once again. I said I had not called them and they said they had a delivery of a new machine in the truck.. I said I had not ordered one. They took out my letter and asked if it was mine. After ten shades of red I said yes and he said it was my machine then. Wow! all it takes is contacting the right person. Several weeks later the neighbor had problems with a new washing machine (same story) I gave her the info on who to contact. She threatened to take a load of dirty diapers to the store and wash them there. She received a new washing machine shortly. No further problems with the store for either of us. I still shop there

I agree with these two posts. Write to the company and any other agency that was mentioned. I think because you live so far away, the dealer thinks you will just wear down. Go directly to the company/maker of the machine and keep writing till you get a response. YOU DESERVE A WORKING MACHINE!!!!

NEVER EVER pay for anything with a check ... always use a credit card then you have some recourse! I would just send emails, emails and more emails and then report them to BBB if you are not satisfied with their solution.

Keep all of your records and make copies of all written to company.

Anytime I deal with any business entity, I have a piece of paper or a notebook in front of me. I make notes on who I talked to, the time, the conversation, etc. Make sure you get the name, even if you have to ask them to repeat it. Otherwise, it just doesn't work as well. I agree, you have already established that machine isn't working well and may not be fixable or may not be fixed (in other words, it might be able to be fixed, but they can't seem to get it fixed, so it's not working either way). Are there any consumer reporters locally? We have Clark Howard, Plus several of the TV news shows have a consumer reporter. A lot of times those are helpful. The biggie is the "nasty gram" to the company president. You can explain the situation, why you are not happy and what you want done: current machine properly repaired or new one, also maybe ask for extended warranty for free for your trouble. Give them a reasonable time frame, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc. If you don't get a response, you can also go to your state's attorney general for fraud.

Good luck...and let us know what happens!

Make dated copies of all your communications!

Most states, especially California, have a "lemon law" regarding automobiles. I don't see why it shouldn't also apply to sewing machines - especially since some of them cost more than a car.

My suggestion is call the CEO of the sewing machine company. You are in a position to comment unfavorably about their machines in forums of women who are their customers. They don't want the bad publicity and will probably work with you to solve this problem.

My late husband was supposed to get a grave marker from the VA. 9 months after his funeral, the funeral director told me they still hadn't been able to get the marker from the VA. He also said several other families were having the same problem. I told him I'd take care of the problem. The next business day I made two phone calls. The next day the funeral director called me wanting to know whom I'd called - he was getting phone calls from the VA seriouslly kissing booty. I told him my first phone call was to the White House (Clinton's) and I explained my problem to the switchboard operator. She gave me the direct phone number of the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. I called him, explained my problem, and it was taken care of immediately.

Talk to your bank, they still might let you put a stop payment on the check. Let them know the situation. It is worth a try. I work for a company and we get checks back very late with a stop payment on them.

wow i would find a way to get my money back or replace with a NEW one, yes write the company, remind them that you bought it to use not to go for rides in your car back and forth to get it fixed all the time

I'd make copies of all your reciepts of repairs and write the company. OR better yet contact your tv station. around here they have people who try and help people having troble with companies.

DON'T GIVE UP, DO NOT STOP UNTIL YOU ARE HAPPY. I bought a lemon Bernina & the shop I bought it from would not stand behind it. It was under warranty & the woman would not stand behind it. If the shop won't fix it, go over & beyond them. I make sure I spread the word about the shop to everyone I know & I tell them how many times I had it in for repairs. Just let the shop know you can give them some good advertisement with all the quilt clubs & guilds you belong to!

That sounds llike the machine I bought before I got my Babylock. I used the "old" new one as a down payment on the Baby. They gave me the full price I had paid for the other machine and I didn't even buy it from them.

the squeaky wheel gets the grease

Thats how I got another Refer. Brand new , but would not make ice cubes. After 6 trips Lowes gave me another refer and got to pick out any one I wanted for the same price.

I think that I might send both the dealer and the company a record of the mileage you driven and tell them that you expect to be reimbursed for the cost of the fuel, oil and wear and tear on your car (to the extent that the IRS allows for reimbursement for job travel) and for any time you have been required to take off work to return it. Make it up like a bill, nicely itemized and send it. While you may not get actual $$s, you may get a gift card for some special feet or fabric. It's worth a try.

i feel your pain. i bought a pricey new machine a few years back aand nothing but problems form the get go....went to the shop more that i had it and gone for a wk or 2 at a time.kept rocords of all repairs and problems thank goodness i bought the warrenty for it. but anyway after many repairs i contacted the company directly....finally got a NEW machine. don't give up go directly to the manufactor not the shop you bought it in. good luck

"a track record" on a machine with less than 30 hours? Give me a break! It's a lemon, I'd follow everyone's advice - send a letter, call the BBB, etc. You are entitled to a new machine. I'm REALLY surprised the manufacturer hasn't just gone ahead and sent you one anyway.

you need more than the 888 # u need to speak to someone in charge. i was put in direct contact with the area rep. and that's where i got the next up persons #. go to the store where you bought it or any store that sells that brand and find the # to the rep or to the company directly not the 888 #

Well, since I'm a nice guy I always give everyone a chance to prove they are nice. I was looking at the data I had logged so far and will send everything to the dealer, give him until Friday to provide a new machine or I will go to BBB and attorney generals office. I hate this.

I paid in full for the machine 16 weeks ago, 6 of those weeks he has had it in for repair, and during the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years) I wasn't using it. Nice, huh?

Thanks for your support, I may need more!!

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I emailed the owner of the shop about 2 hours ago stating all the problems. I was real nice and said I really liked the staff, at first. Then I said I would give them one week to give me a new machine or another one I was considering, if I didn't hear from them within that week I would notify the CEO, BBB, Attorney General, the media, and maybe even Judge Judy. I got a call within two hours saying I would get a new machine. Thanks all, your support really is appreciated.
jmabby

GREAT NEWS!

great...good for you!

Great! Enjoy that new machine when you get it. I hope that they throw in a couple "goodies" as well, for all of your trouble.

did u get the same machine or a different model ?