Yes. The place I take my machine does require a deposit.

I took a Singer in for a replacement part, man said he would call when it would be ready. 10 years later, he hasn't called. Not that I need it. I hope he has recycled it. No deposit required.

DITTO !!

I have had all three of mine serviced & they asked for deposits as well.

strange some do some don't

I haven't had a sewing machine in for repair so I can't comment on that. However, took in a 52 inch LCD TV for repair and they charged me a $250 deposit.

I can understand why they ask for a deposit. We have a small snowmobile repair shop, and I can't tell you how many machines we end up with at the end of the year that the people haven't paid their bill, which means they haven't picked up their machine. We have to buy the parts needed to fix it, but then they don't want, or have the money to pay us. We are out the money, and time we put into their mahcine.
I can see both sides of the story.

Again I have to ditto on some comments...If you are in the quilting business tell me your not going to ask for partial pymt for supplies...?
Are you going to put time, energy and money into repairing a quilt or making a quilt in hopes the person returns and pays in full after you've put everything into the quilt.
You all say they have my machine...it's worth tons of money they can sell it...not so simple...notice has to go out to you, a certain no of days/mths have to pass before they can dispose of your machine...and they have to hope to sell it somewhere and hope to get a good price, take the time to list or pay for listing etc......along with all the other stuff they are trying to fix...
I guess it all boils down to Big States like CA, NY, CA want deposits and small towns are trusting...

Sounds like the owner has no room to store them, and hopes not to end up with them (Look at the economy)to me.

Not so sure some of the machines are a "viable piece of merchandise"...