BellaBoo

I agree the owner should at least given you some positive feed back when you called. She could have given you a time when she thought she could check your machine and apologized for not getting back to you to let you know what is going on. That is good customer service and plain good business sense. I am amazed at the small business owners that have no clue how to treat customers.

everybody's mother

I read the other replies you got, but I still think you are not unreasonable on this point-- at least a phone call from her to explain her being busy or whatever. It is poor business practice to treat customers this way,once they have your money, they don't know who you are. Get your machine back and keep your new one. Be happy using it. Good Luck!

jayelee

I agree with Candace only I do believe that they should have given you a time frame in which they would have information for you In a perfect world we all want everything today but in the real world things take time.

JoanneS

The reason I compared the owner's response to how she might handle service on a machine is that I think they actually related. She expects to be paid for BOTH, so she should have been businesslike toward you from the beginning and treated the valuing of your used machine the SAME as she would the servicing of another machine.

Nancy11442

Thanks Ladies...your replies were very helpful and appreciated. Hubby did make a call again today and she finally called back and left a message. She is now saying that she overestimated the asking price bec she found the machine to be a lesser valued machine than she originally thought....this, even tho I have the original receipt for the machine, the instruction book with the serial number, etc. and that she would only ask $300-$400 for the machine and she would have to have her service person look at the machine and charge me $65 for that plus any repairs needed. So, after all was said and done...her service persons fee, her 10%...I just told her I would come pick up the machine tomorrow and I will have my new machine and my less new machine!! I think I can sell the Elna on my own, not for the $799 she originally quoted me but for a reasonable price, to someone who wants an embroidery functioning machine and a good machine to quilt and sew. All in all, a very disappointing experience for me, especially since I chose this shop to make my purchase bec I have done business there for seven years, it is local and I wanted the convenience of location for the lessons I am expecting to get. Someone said earlier, not a perfect world...oh!! so true and I guess I'm finding that out up close and personal. Too bad and very disappointing to see the tarnish left from such fall out. Thanks again, Ladies. I'm smarter than I was. A little late, but.....

Chasing Hawk

I am glad the issue is resolved. At least you can get your asking price and not shell out her commission.

brendaj8689

Do you mean that the store owner didn't have time during the sale to explain the 'time' factor involved in selling your used machine?? Then she didn't have time when you brought the used machine in to explain this to you????? I am sure when a non-business quilter on this forum knows about the turn around time,( I am aware of it) that the owner must be aware of it!!!!
After 3 phone calls, she STILL hasn't found the time to explain the 'time factor' involved.
Sorry, but if this store owner is that busy, I would shop elsewhere, she will probably be too busy when you need her for Free lessons and service of your $5000.00 machine. Sounds like the same old tune to be.. buy buy buy, but I'm not responsible for anything. I would call and ask for an appointment when she can sit down and answer some questions. I would let her know that one question might be how to return your machine. (good luck on that one, sewing machines dealers seem to be immune to common business courtesy)
I read many forums and doubt a day goes by that someone doesn't bring up a problem dealer. I really believe that until we the consumers start demanding better business practices from the sewing machine industry, things will just continue to go downhill.
There is a thread on Patternreview.com about Bernina. Bernina Corp is quoted telling a customer that they have no say over their independent dealers business practices. Leaves the customer out to dry, doesn't it?
Just my little opinion.
brenda in MI
I am still waiting after almost 3 years for my FREE lessons. When I went to have them, the instructor was late, then she didn't know the machine or the software. She was going the NEXT week for training and calling me right away to reschedule. I've been back to the store several times, but still no lesson. This was after I had to go to Janome headquarters for a new machine. The Brand new one they sold me had already been threaded and had red stains on the throat. First, they had tested it, Then they had used it as a demo. The final story was someone bought it, but changed their mind for the TOL and it really was still, brand new. It had a brand new price!

BellaBoo

Before buying any new expensive machine we all have to do our research not just on the machine we want but the dealer we buy it from.

JoanneS

Not ALL dealers are bad apples! The Pfaff/Brother/Viking dealer in Tucson is GREAT. Plenty of free lessons, and they bend over backwards to make sure you're happy. I'm sure that's why they've been in business for more than 25 years, and they're still growing.

Ditto the Pfaff dealer I use in CT. Her business is growing, too, in spite of the recession.

brendaj8689

I agree, there are some wonderful dealers out there. It's a shame the bad apples spoil it for so many. No surprise that the 'good' ones are doing well even with the recession. What really amazes me is how many of the manufactures tell the customer they have nothing to do with their independent dealer. You can buy a low end Brother machine at Walmart and get better suppost from Brother headquarters than from some of the more pricey lines. Wouldn't you think that this being a recession time and all, the manufacturers would try harder???
What's beyond me is that the dealer doesn't tell the customer how long it may take, Gee, it only took me a couple seconds to type that. how long could it take the dealer to explain it to the customer?
Oh well. We can make lots of excuses for the dealer, myself, the time frame seems reasonble to me. But I see no excuse for her not to communicate with the customer.
brenda in MI