How often to have machine serviced?
 

I had a Viking sewing machine for over 40 years. It saw me through a lot of sewing with little complaint. I cleaned out the lint and oiled it regularly and only took it in for service less than half a dozen times. I just had a cracked gear replaced, gave it to my grand daughter and bought a Bernina 380 so I could do blanket stitch applique. I have had it just over a year and because my husband is ill, been in the hospital and rehab for a month, I missed the first anniversary complimentary servicing. They told me if I missed the birthday, I am out of luck--no mail or internet reminder. My question is, how often should you have these new machines serviced? It costs $90 if there are no problems and they keep it a while. How often is really necessary? Because my husband has advanced Parkinson's and Parkinson's dementia, I can never leave him alone, so it is hard for me to take it in. Caregiving is hard, but I don't want to do the machine damage. Now and again I am able to work on a quilt--it is my little bit of sanity.

I think it depends on how much you use it and how much you keep up with keeping it clean. I think an annual regular cleaning/ maintenance is a good idea, but many machines can go much longer if you regularly brush out the lint and oil it if it is the kind of machine that the user oils.

Call the shop and explain the situation. They are human and hopefully will have a bit of compassion since you are not that far past the Birthday. If they are less than accommodating I would be hard pressed to give them more of my money. JMHO.

Caregiving is very hard, I hope your dealer makes it a bit easier for you.

I have a Bernina 1530 which is still going strong (from the 90s). I use to have my baby serviced yearly but I let it slide to about 18 to 24 months. This last check up was way overdue but difficult for me to get it in for servicing (don't drive being disable). I am not sewing as many hours I use to. DSM are a lot like cars. How far would you stretch an oil change if you weren't driving as often?

It depends on how much you use it. I am a medium user and have my machine serviced once a year.

I've never owned a Bernina, and after reading your posts, probably never will, I think that is really crappy on their part to not honor the anniversary complimentary servicing due to your circumstances. Bless you, I too am a caregiver and can relate. In answer to your question though, I think on any kind of machine, as long as you clean and oil regularly, it should be fine. I even oil my "no oil" machine, just a drop on the bobbin casing, and it sure makes a difference, runs much better, smoother, and quieter!

I clean my machine (Baby Lock) regularly and unless there is an issue, I don't take her in any longer. She runs just fine on my basic maintenance. My machine goes to the doc for a checkup every 2-3 years.

Just an update. The person I spoke to at the store where I purchased my Bernina said that they could not honor the birthday cleaning because it was past the birthday date. I did explain my situation and she said that it was out of their hands because Bernina pays for the birthday service. I emailed Bernina and got a reply this morning that it is the dealer that is responsible for the birthday cleaning. I called the dealership and asked for the manager and explained my situation and what I was told, then read the response from Bernina. She backed down and said to bring it in and they would take care of it. The problem is not Bernina. I really like the machine. The problem is with the dealership. I had a few issues at the time of purchase and I know others have had problems too. I did want a Bernina and there are only two other dealerships for Bernina in my state and they are both a distance to drive. The dealer I purchased my Bernina from is only ten minutes from my home. Anyway, at this point it looks like things are resolved. It takes seven to ten days before I get my machine back and I will miss it, but I think you are all right that a regular cleaning and servicing is the right thing to do. One final point, I think that the dealership should send a notice or email reminder of the anniversary date. This dealership has a corner on the market and I guess they don't have to adhere to good business practice.

Totally agree. If they will take it for you, maybe you can get someone to take it in for you and then the service will give you a call or you can write a note with what needs to be done if you're having any problems.

OK, I posted before reading all the posts. If I were you when I have to write anniversary dates down for any servicing, I write on a sheet of note paper dates needed for the next year on the last page of the last month of the calendar. Then when I get the new calendar, I can take that note and put the dates in where needed. If I need an appt. for any reason say in June, I make a notation in May to call ahead. Works for me.

The calendar idea is a good one, but even if I had had it on the calendar, I was not in a position to take it in at that time. Currently, I am only 6 weeks past that date. Though it has been 6 weeks past the anniversary of the machine purchase, it took four weeks past the purchase date before they had the cabinet for the machine that I purchased from them. I couldn't even use the machine until I had a cabinet for it. A business does best that takes care of its customers. I don't think that I am unreasonable or asking for something that I shouldn't have. My daughter has
come to stay with me temporarily to help and she will be able to help me get the machine to the dealer. Picking it up may be another problem because she may not be here then, but perhaps a neighbor can help.

I would say yearly if you use it alot. Although I have never serviced my cheapie brother and have had it for 4 years
but I use my machines occasionally not everyday or even every week, maybe a few times a month unless I am doing a large project

I have a Janome 8900 and am meticulous about cleaning it...took it in for something else and they did the servicing. They gave me the guzzles they removed( big collection), despite my care.

I have a Kenmore that I have had for at least 20 years if not longer and I have had it serviced a couple of times. I oil it and clean it and have only taken it in when it was skipping stitches. I can't tell you how many times I have heard some of my friends say their machine is worse after coming home from a servicing. So for me and my machine, if it's not broken, I don't fix it.

Of course that's just me......not recommending that you should neglect your machines. :o)

I agree with Chester the Bunny. A friend came into class with her just picked up machine after a service . Having trouble threading I went across to help. I threaded then asked if she wanted a bobbin put in. Delighted she said yes. I opened the bobbin casing to find it stuffed tight with fluff. It took a good ten minutes to remove and completely clean.
this should have been done as part of the service. It had cost £60. I got satisfaction in helping a friend who didn't know how to clean area. Her machine gets cleaned every bobbin change now.

I have a Viking that I got in 1977 and I have taken it in pretty much every year for servicing. I clean the lint out along the way but for a good cleaning and tune up it goes to the shop. I have never had to repair anything on it and it is still going strong. I can tell the difference in the way it sounds before and after it has been serviced.

Sorry about your husband's illness and the care he needs. From experience I know how difficult life is for a full time caregiver. I would say a shop that gives you that kind of attitude after you explain why you missed the anniversary date is not looking for your business or any of your friend's business. I also know how just being able to do or even think about a quilting project can help keep you going. Get the machine serviced when time allows and don't be too concerned about it. Perhaps a friend could take it in for you.

Firs of all, I don't take any of my machines in unless something is wrong that I can't remedy with cleaning and checking needle Tension disc. I oil the wick and some times the needle shaft. Next dealers......many of them have poor customer service. I live in Texas and purchased machines from a great dealer in Pennsylvania. I guess that tells you there aren't that many great dealers in Texas. I have found that many times I have to go to corporate, then the dealers seem to listen. I just had that happen with a Baby Lock dealer. I purchased the new ovation and she gave me the feet accessory Kit for the Evolution...it had 6 less feet than the kit for the new machine....it was Leftover from the prior year machine and it was at the store so rather than order the right one, she gave me what was convenient for her......I kept seeing where Ovation owners had 22 feet in their case. I called the dealer she said I didn't get the wrong feet....they fit my Ovation. I told her that it was the wrong set and one of these attachments does not fit my machine...and I had just gotten off the phone with BAbylock......they said I had the wrong set.....should have been 22 instead of 16 feet. She is now ordering the right one! Squeaky wheel I Guess.....BAbylock corporate is fantastic.....I purchased a Sashiko machine and ask the dealer for Some training or instruction .....she said I don't do training on this machine...I will show you how to thread it.....when a rep saw my post.they immediately sent me an apology, gave me three free online classes and sent me a book with projects !!!! Too bad dealers are not like they home office...fantastic!!

Genden, yes caregiving is hard,but you are so blessed for doing it. Good that you have something to do in your down time.Take care!!

Glad yo hear you got it resolved and they will only have it a few days. The last time I took my Babylock in they had it for 3 months. Said they were just backed up. Needs it again and I hate to have it gone that long.

Genden, I have been where you are with caregiving and to say the least it is a daunting task. I have a Viking machine, I keep the dust and lint cleaned out. Oil a few small places and TRY to get her into the shop about once a year. Right now it has been over years and she still purrs like a kitten. Do what your heart tells you. What state are you in? If you are near here, I would be glad to come give you a break now and then.

I'm so happy that the dealership backed down on their outrageous response to you, especially given all the issues you have been dealing with. I do not own a Bernina, however, but I do have a Janome 4000, which is getting older, just like I am (LOL) too. I think it was suggested that I bring her in for servicing every year; however, I do not always do that. I do regularly (especially when the "pitch" changes on my machine), clean out my bobbin case, and the area under my machine, and clean out all the lint that collects from my sewing and quilting; but when that doesn't pass the "hearing" test, I bring it in to the dealer to have it cleaned, oiled and serviced. I am probably weird, but I do not even know where I could oil the machine and I was told when I purchased it that I shouldn't oil it, but leave that to regular servicing. I'm sure that my machine is 15+ years old and (knock on wood) keeps on sewing for me and doing a good job of it as well. You're right, the dealership should have sent you a reminder of your anniversary date, it's only good business for them. I wish you and your husband well, as being the sole caretaker can be very difficult. God bless.

I have a Bernina, and when I bought it, I was given two years of cleaning for free. Then it was $65 on my third year for service. So I think you were being over charged for cleaning, and next time you do want to get it cleaned, call the other place first. I also have two Singers and the cost of cleaning for them was about the same, but I do drive further to take them to be cleaned. And my old Penney's machine I take to my Bernina place and it's the same cost. As far as how often, it just depends on how much I use the machines. I sew every day, so I do clean and oil them myself a lot in between check ups. $4,000 Bernina, $80 old Penney's it doesn't make any difference, I want them to work, so need to keep them in good working order.

I have a Bernina and like the machine, however, my dealer went out of business 5 days after I purchased it. And they had been in business for >15 yrs. or so...........and as for service I am able to oil it myself. And cleaning, yup, I do the best I can..............My Viking dealer 15 yrs. ago offered a free loaner when my high end machine was purchased, but that is a by gone perk................I still have the Viking............calla

I took my 1996 Viking Rose in for service for the 1st time last year. It cost me $149.00, plus7% tax. I went with a neighbor to the Viking Dealer the other day as her high end Viking embroidery machine was making birds nests. They said cost, without parts would be $249.00.

I treat my sewing machine kind of like my car. I take care of it and service depends on how much I use it. I spend more on servicing my riding lawn mower than I do my car.

I took my Janome in recently for her annual. I caught the dealer (from whom I purchased my machine) during a sale (only downside is they are about 1 1/2+ hours away), so it was only $27.54 (half price) of their regular fee of ~$55, which is still less than the local dealer ($129). I like the town they are in, so it was like a mini getaway while the tech serviced my machine.

Thanks for all your kind, helpful comments. I had an interesting experience yesterday. A nurse came to the house for my husband's blood draw. She immediately noticed and commented on my Bernina. She said she loved her Berninas. Out of curiosity, I asked her where she bought hers because she lives in my town. She said she bought her first one from the dealer I bought mine from, but she said she wouldn't buy there again and made the two hour drive to buy from another dealer because the service, policies, and prices are so much better. Good customer service pays in the long run. Word of mouth can be the best or worst advertising you can get.

That is very true. That is why I drove all the way to St. George (~ 2 hour drive) to buy my machine and have it serviced.

I have a viking and don't take it in very often as I clean it regularly. My 401A has been in hospital after 56 years only 2 times. I religiously clean her out and keep her oiled. No problems.

I'm a Bernina sewing machine tech. I tell people if you sew every day, get your machine serviced at least every year. But never go more than 5 years without a service.

The one thing that can damage a machine is to run over those big "quilting pins." Throw those big quilting pins away! If you use patchwork, or extra fine glass head pins, you lower the risk by about 75%.

On your 380, If you keep the bobbin area clean, that is the most important part. This should be done about every 3 hours of actual sewing time or about every project. Remove the hook, and needle plate, and sweep all the lint out with your brush. Make sure there's nothing stuck in the race (which is the ledge the hook sits on). Put a drop of oil on the race, and put it back together.

You can also remove the take-up area cover, and make sure there aren't any threads caught in the take-up lever. You have an "L" shaped wrench in your accessories, that you can use to remove the screw on the left side of the machine. Lift the cover up before you twist it out. The plastic is very flexible. Oil at every joint in the take-up, and way back inside, there's a big round piece of metal, called the "pitman." It's important to oil the shaft behind the pitman. Turn the handwheel until you see the cut out piece on the pitman, then reach your oil back in there.

If the timing is off, the bobbin thread won't get picked-up to form the stitch. The first thing to do when this happens it to put a new needle in and make sure it's all the way up.

Always use a good quality thread like Guterman or Metler.

If there are tension problems, re-thread top and bobbin. Then get comfortable with adjusting your tensions. They're adjustable for a reason -- you are in control.

PM me if you have any questions.

Thank you Annette in Utah for the very helpful information. Tomorrow I will print a copy to put in my Bernina manual to refer to often.

Hello,

I find all of your comments interesting.
I think the dealer needs some lessons in customer service. Nuff said about that!

It brings me back to my own life time experience of sewing machines. I live in the boonies so my first machine was a catalog purchase, just a machine that would zig zag. With a growing family on a tight budget it saw lots of use daily. When it messed up, I cleaned and oiled it and it would purr right along then. Didn't matter what thread it had or silk or denim or canvas or upholstery material it just did what asked. Then I decided I needed a machine that would do decorative stitches. Again a catalog purchase. It is still going strong almost 40 years later. I did have a belt problem with it and it had to go to the shop. Guess what, the tech did replace the belt but didn't get it right after two tries, so I fixed it myself. She is still sewing any thing I ask. By the way they are Kenmores.

After hearing the problems with the Berninas I think I will avoid owning them.

I have started working with really old machines, and I love them. They are almost 100 years old neglected abused and for the most part with a little TLC sew a fine seam, again.

I love to sew but some of the new machines, the plastic wonders, sound like thrashing machines of old!

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Ethel

The big 7 and 8 Series Berninas haven't got the bugs worked out of them, yet. If you don't count the Deco machines, and a couple other experiments that went badly, the rest of the Berninas are pretty solid and awesome. I own a Bernina 230, plus several vintage machines. My Bernina is my Best Friend.