This really annoys me. If you buy a Chevrolet car, you can get it serviced under warranty at any dealer, not just the one you bought it at.

The practice of not having to provide warranty services for sewing machines that were purchased at another vendor provides a disincentive for a dealer to have competitive prices. Combined with the limitations on multiple dealers in a geographic area, it artificially keeps prices high.

It's kept me from purchasing another top-of-the-line sewing machine. I am just not going to pay an amount that is higher than the market rate (as evidenced by e-bay or other competitive pricing sources) because they threaten not to honor my warranty if purchased elsewhere at a lower price.

End of rant. :?

I bought my surger at the county fair. Got a great deal on it because I just happened to be there on the last day.

NOPE have always bought from local dealers but last quilt show we went to...we WON a new Bernina

My Bernina rep informed me when I was checking various places to make sure to ask about warranty availability. They told me that they only go on sale maybe about twice a year for new machines. You might get a good price at the Quilt Show. Our shop about 3 times a year put the class or demo model machines on sale for half price or better. I know this summer they had a 440 for $1995.

I got my HQ16 from the Festival of Quilts in the UK last year. There are no dealers here in Ireland, so I knew I wouldn't be able to get it here, and I was fully aware that it will have to be shipped back to the UK if I got a problem.

I did get a problem - broke a needle and the timing went out. But my supplier gave me a deal, and I got it mended under guarantee, and a free service, if I paid the shipping in one direction - I thought that was a good offer.

When buying like this, it's a risk we take - I have friends who have bought domestic machines from the UK - dealers here are few and far between (only one Bernina dealer in the country, for instance)

We don't have any where that we can get machines serviced here in the North West of Ireland. The last time I had that done, I crossed the border and had a day trip to Northern Ireland. I arrived with my machine at 9.30 am, did some sight seeing and shopping, collected my machine after its service, and I was back home about 12 hours later.

This is the price we pay here for having our quilting hobby - so when I read that you have several dealers locally you can choose from, I am very envious.

i bought both my sewing machines (1964 New Home AND 2005 Pfaff) and my serger (Elna 4 thread) at 2 quilt shows and a home show. the New Home threw a nut into the interior of the machine when i had it for three weeks and i called the dealer immediately. he brought me a brand new machine the next day...it came with complete warranty and accessories. (this problem was known to the store as an entire shipment had not been tightened sufficiently at the factory in one little area. he cut off my hysteria on the phone [i was 18, it was my graduation present] and very nicely told me he knew of the problem and that they would replace it, not even attempt to repair as they could not tell how much damage had been done to any single machine during all the bouncing around inside)

the pfaff and the elna were both used during quilt shows and i simply asked if they were going to sell them at the end of the show. in each case, the dealer told me to come back on the last day of the show and gave me a business card with a 'first choice' note on the back to ensure i got it if others asked after i did. i would certainly ask for a card if they don't offer. all machines also came with the full set of lessons and accessories. in fact, the pfaff and elna dealers gave me some extras that they had been demonstrating at the show. i got an excellent price on each so i think you should at least try...you have nothing to lose.

I have a Viking that needed service , and the local dealer was more than happy to do the warrenty work. ( I had moved out of state from where I purchased). I would be very leary of any machine that could not have warrenty work or any repair done by what ever dealer happened to be handy.
My Mom just purchased a top of the line Viking while visiting. The only issue is that she had to pay $75.00 total for three lessons when she got home to her local dealer. For what she saved it was well worth it.

The warranty issues is most often determined by the brand, not the dealer. There are rules about invading another dealer's territory also. That is why most dealers cannot ship high end machines and why they sometimes will not perform warranty work on machines purchased elsewhere. .

I did a lot of research before purchasing my machine and made calls to the dealers within 200 miles (the furthest I would consider driving to pick it up) and found a pretty substantial difference in pricing. I asked about service under warranty, possible deals (higher volume stores are more likely to deal on price). I finally bought my machine from the closest dealer (they are high volume) but since I dislike the personnel immensely there, was pleased to find that the second closest dealer would honor the warranty.

So the best thing to do is Research, prepare a list of questions ahead of time and when you go to the show, be informed so you know if you are getting a deal or not.

Very good advice.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

it is nice to visit the shows and try out different machines- helps make an educated decision-
but i would recommend buying locally- mainly because- then you will have access to the free owners classes- so you learn how to get the full potential of the new machine-
also you have local tech support- and service.