I haven't read anything about Kenmore machines. I have been using them for years (and years) of sewing and I have no complaints whatsoever..I purchased one of the upper line just about a year ago....and I really do love it.

I did purchase a maintenance contract with Sears for a two or three year term.
It covers almost everything and annual full service jobs.

I take the machine to their local shop and it is transferred to their maintenance or repair shops and returned in usually a week......

I am pleased as can be with my machine.......and have no complaints.......

Can't find a company that has been in business much longer than Sears.....no can we?

Service is very important. I purchased a Janome 9000 from eBay at a very good price and was very satisfied with the machine. However, I was on my own to read the manual and figure out how to operate and do a lot of things the machine was capable of doing. This may also be true if you purchase from a "big box" store. No classes.

I was able to take the Janome to a LQS for service as they sell the machine also. However, the service was terrible, terrible. I finally traded for a used Bernina 450 and am thrilled with it.

Think about getting a very good higher-end, used machine where service is paramount and classes are available.

Suzanne

you do not "like cheap stuff." you know a good value when you see one. ;-)

you are definitely NOT dumb. spending more than you can afford or more than you want to spend on something you know you don't need would be dumb. letting somebody else "shame" or bully you into spending more than you want or can afford would be dumb. not listening to your own inner voice would be dumb.

we have this argument at least once a month. about machines, fabric, thread, batting ... the list goes on and on. it's both amusing and frustrating to me.

amusing because it happens so often. frustrating because so many consistently forget that what's best for them as individuals may not be what's best for every other person reading the conversation or trying to make a choice. we present our opinions and fight for them as though our lives depended upon convincing everyone to see and do things as we do.

it confuses me, too, because quilters ARE some of the nicest people on the planet. why do we so often forget that when these debates get started?

I also had a Kenmore for years. Now my daughter has it and her 12 yr & 9 year old use it. Still in good working order. I also have a Babyloc Elure plus. I have resently bought a used Kenmore to tote to sewing classes

You can't really go wrong with a Janome. Two of my machines are New Home (before they were known as Janome) and I love them. Also, Janome make the Kenmore machines sold by Sears. My late MIL had one and now one of her granddaughters is using it.

I work at a LQS and I also use to work for a sewing machine dealer. If the machine has the same model number it is the same machine at either store. But most dealers do not sell the cheaper models that the chain stores sell. The machines are just not that good a quality and a dealer stands on her (his) reputation. Most dealers wont honor a chain stores warrenty even if it is the same make and model as they sell. You would have to have it shipped back to the manufacturer at your expense, because they did not make the profit on the machine to start with. Hope this is a help. :|

Does anyone know what the difference is in the Warranties ? I bought mine Epic, from a Dealer. We moved and had to have my machine repaired already, not even a year old. I had to take it to a Jo Ann's, Dealer, due to there are no Dealers around. The bill came to almost $800.00, due to some bad boards, which should be under warranty. They don't want to honor the warranty, because I didn't buy it at Jo Ann's. The warranty is addressed to the same company, weather it came from Jo Ann's or from a Dealer. Does anybody have a understanding why ?

For me it’s all about available service.

My first singer machine was purchased 40 years ago and I taught myself how to use it. It had cams for special stitches. I had sewn growing up.

My second machine was a used brother 1500. I was at a workshop, the lady sitting next to me had the the juki version of the machine and we learned together.

I bought my Janome 6600 at a dealer and got 4 hours of private lessons. it was helpful. It was a more complicated machine then I’d had before. But I could’ve learned it all on my own. It would’ve taken a lot more time.

I took a class at road to California with the sweet 16 set down longarm. We had the instructor and a machine tech in the class to help us. After I Bought a used one, the lady I bought it from gave me the wrong needles to use with it. Caused a year of frustration but I brought it in for repair and they told me I had the wrong needle.

it’s not rocket science. You can learn the machine on your own if you have more time than money and are dated. If you do have money a good dealer can save you time and frustration.

Sewing machine warranties aren't like car warranties, and sewing machine dealers aren't like car dealers. Unfortunately, the manufacturers have not adopted the car dealer model, and do not appear to reimburse dealers in full for warranty repairs. So in the sale of a machine, the dealer accepts part of the warranty risk. Thus they will provide warranty service on a machine sold there as good customer service, but they actually lose money on "warranty" service. There is no incentive to provide, nor full reimbursement from the manufacturer for, warranty service on a machine not purchased by that dealership. The only incentive is that you might trade in or purchase another machine from that dealer.

FYI not exactly the same, but the RV industry is similar. Most dealers will not do warranty service on a unit not purchased from that dealership.

I know there are frequently 'minor' differences in machines from the big box stores to the LQS or dealers shopes. It often comes down to prices and are you willing to give up a decorative stitch or 2. I would think it is important to check out all the specs. on any machine you aer looking at. Then make your decision. Sometimes it may or may not be worth spending the extra money.

I've done both. I bought a Juki on Amazon that is all mechanical and I love it. I bought both my Berninas at my local Bernina dealer. I've know her for decades and trust her completely. That means a lot to me.
I've also bought old Singers on Ebay.
I guess it depends on what machine you're buying. (at least for me it does)

When i worked at a vacuum cleaner store i was told the same things. They make same model - yet different - for the big box stores compared to the authorized dealers.

Sewing machines
 

I buy on line from a Dealer....not a quilt shop that sells more fabric than machines. You can always deal on machines at a dealer...they know you can get a better deal on line and no sales tax...negotiate those dollars at you local Dealer. I have had no issues at all buying a specific model from an online dealer. Of course, you don't get free classes...but most of the brand name machines have online tutorials.....an you normally get a DVD and manual.

Every machine will need service at some point. Most shops that offer machine service will not service a machine bought at Wally World. If it is a cheap machine you purchased at Wally World you might consider it a throw away if it needs a repair. You can get it cleaned, but probably not repaired.

I eyed a Pfaff at LQS then it went down in price during Black Friday week so I decided to pull the trigger. Not high end but exactly what I wanted & no crowd to fight either.
Store employee spent about 1.5 hours with me.
It came with a free 1st year cleaning & maintenance which I didn’t realize until I picked it up. ($80 value)
When I come in the store for fabric, etc they recognize me & I feel valued. They’re Mom & Pop so he’s the repair guy.
Chain & Big Box stores won’t do any of the above & my parents always shopped local stores.

Our DIL always has a head of steam for Black Friday bargains & get up in the middle of night to get there but she said she’s done buying some things like small appliances on BF because they don’t last long.

Speaking of “Sales”. It irks me to no end when stores put items in their sale ad & I know it’s every day price.. Our big local grocery chain does this every week - it’s a 10-12 page ad with nice colored pictures but only about 1-2 pages have a real sale price.