I have several back ups, would not be without at least one. I sew everyday. I would not give one away. I would have bought them a Cheapy to sew on.

I must have my dh read this post as he thinks I have enough machines with 3 Regular machines, a Babylock Serger & a Janome embroidery only machine + several vintage machines. I don't do shoes, so for me, this is the next best thing !!! lol Honestly though, he really supports my hobby & is even very helpful & good at woodcrafting me cabinets etc. that helps make my life easier, so I am very grateful.

My Bernina is in the shop and I am using a small Janome but so far it has worked great! Was going to get rid of it but not any more.

Not just a back up. An older straight stitch machine for piecing would cost less than one service call and they usually do a very nice job of what they do.

Sewnoma, The same thing happened to me at my local Pfaff dealer. I had to check where you're located to see if we share the same dealer.

It's too bad about your pfaff. Depending on the model they are selling older broken ones on ebay for parts. You may be able to recoup some of your loss that way.

Oh back-up machines are a must! I (and many of my sewing friends have backups for our back-ups) We need machines for home and ones light enough to carry for retreats/classes. We enable each other, can justify almost anything-LOL.
Actually most of my back-ups have come from thrift stores/ garage sales. I only keep them if they are working properly and do most of my own cleaning/lube, minor repairs. And often give one of those machines away when I hear of someone in need or family members. Love, love sewing machines.

I think it was wrong for the dealer to charge you for a machine that didn't work; and I would not go back, plus a little bad publicity is not good business practice. Right now my Janome is in for a check-up and a check, as it decided to go wonky when I was trying to straight stitch, but she needs a check-up as it's been a while. I have never used this particular sewing machine place before, but have heard good things about them, so fingers crossed. I quit using the place where I bought my Janome because of poor service, took it somewhere else and until recently she has been chugging away for me, so she deserves a break. It has been over due to be serviced, although I had doing OK until recently. I do have a back-up older Brother machine that I got free at the local incinerator where people drop off things that are usually in good condition, and it has worked fine from day one, in fact I like the way it does zig-zag stitching better than my Janome. A friend gave me a Kenmore that is nearly identical to my Janome (also from the incinerator swap tables), but when I tried to use it - it only would do a couple stitches before it quit and made this horrible noise. I had a Kenmore that I literally wore out and the motor started smoking, so I decided I needed a new machine. I have been in withdrawal since I don't have my baby to work with, but I'll adapt until it comes back home.

Being a beginner I can't specify the names & numbers of my sewing machines (I use to make clothes) but I have my old Singer workhorse I bought as a demo I believe in 1983 or 1984, my granddaughter 12yr has taken that over (but it stays here) I have an old Dressmaker I got at an auction, a Janome Silver edition DH got at an Estate and my Mothers old Singer. They are all in great working order, I use the Janome for piecing and the dressmaker for SITD (all I know for now) and my Mothers is sitting quietly waiting it's turn to be cleaned up & sent in for a check up. I lost my Mother when she was almost 43 to cancer, so that machine will NEVER leave me except for a check up.

I have 2 Featherweights for backup - a 221 and a 222. After reading this, even though I had thought about selling my 222, I'm keeping her now and have even been considering getting a Janome Gem as an extra backup.