I want a new Brother, but.............
 

I don't like the Brother dealer in my area. They have an excellent repair person, but the sales people leave a lot to be desired. Do you think I should buy the machine from them even if I'm not happy with them or go to another dealer, which would be about 115 miles away. If I go the other route and it needs repairing, could I take it to the local dealer? I'm caught betwixt and between --- any thoughts?

Go to your local store and ask for the manager or owner of the store and deal directly with them and not the sales people. If the repair person is good, skip the sales floor. However, if the other, further dealership offers classes with purchase, that's really something to consider.

I have two Brothers and have never even seen a Brother dealership. I didn't know they existed! Bought one at Walmart and one online. Love them both. The Walmart one is pushing 10 years old and has never needed a repair. I think I'd stick close to home since you like the repairman. How often will you have to deal with the sales person once it is purchased? You can research all the features you want online. Just walk in and tell them what you want.

I bought mine at Amazon. Free shipping too. It's computerized with about 60 built in stitches and came with all kinds of different feet and even a walking foot attachment. I assume a repair person will repair a brother machine no matter where you purchased it from - money is money. But, you probably won't need him anyway. Good luck no matter what you decide. I really like my brother.

I'm in the same situation with my only local Janome dealer. I really want to up grade but the management, sales and service dept leave much to be desired. I have been treated poorly every time I have gone in. They sell fabric also but I don't frequent there because of their attitude. The last time I went in to buy fabric because I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else was the last straw for me. I found some fabric and took it to the cutting area. I had to go break up a chatting session among the staff to get my fabric cut. A "regular" came in and came to the employee that was cutting my fabric and wanted help finding fabrics to match the sample she brought in. The employee stopped cutting my fabric and went off with the other customer. I stood there for a good 7 minutes waiting. I finally just left without making a purchase. We are moving out of state within the next three years so I am just holding out.

What is it with some of these businesses? Don't they need customers?

Like pyffer, I bought my Brother online and haven't had a problem with it (knock on wood). It came very well packaged and in a timely manner. I don't see why you couldn't see the local repair man if you end up having a problem with your machine. Maybe he has a business card and you could take it in to him personally and not to the dealership if you don't want to see the sales staff? Just a thought.

i've had a brother for almost 20 years and it has not needed a repairman. a also have a newer one that i can take to guild and classes

I bought the $199 Brother from Walmart. When it needed repairing, I took it to my local dealer. You could do the same.

The repair estimate was $60, so instead of having it fixed I got a $100 trade in for my broken machine for a new Pfaff.

If the repairman is good I would go locally. I would also talk to the owner of the store directly and tell them his staff is not very helpful and has made you think of going to another dealer. Might get some sense in them to fix the problem. I also hardly go into my dealer for my brother except for servicing. I buy all my supplies and accessories cheaper online. However, my dealer is a pleasure and I would be comfortable going in but like the others said I have had brothers for years with no problems so it is up to you. Will you really be going in that much that you have to deal with them, once a year for servicing is not that much especially if the repairman is excellent.

I'm in the same boat with my Babylock. The owner of the shop is also the repairman and when I took it in to be cleaned the last time he never contacted me when he said it should be done in a week. I finally went in after I hadn't heard from him for 3 weeks and he tried to give me another person's machine. I told him he had the wrong machine and went in the back to look for mine and he hadn't even touched it. He said he'd get to it soon and give me a call. I told him I'd wait while he serviced it, which I did. But, after getting it home it wasn't working right and I drove it to another repairman a longer distance away. I'll be returning to the second dealer for my next purchase even though it's a longer drive.

It seems many in sales really don't give a rip. That's so sad since the shop could benefit so much from good service.

Sometimes it's worth it to make a call or send an email to the manufacturer. I had a problem with a Hoover carpet cleaner once. I purchased it from Costco, took it in for repair at an authorized repair shop 8 times in 12 months. It would work once or twice, then go back to not sucking water out of the carpet. My warranty expired at the end of 12 months, and I was so frustrated I called Hoover direct and complained. They were awesome - turned out there was a design defect in my model. The repair shop should have known better. Hoover sent me a replacement part, renewed my warranty for another 2 years, and said they'd deal with the repair shop. I don't know if they yanked their partnership with that repair shop or what happened, but the next time I drove past, the shop had gone out of business. I wouldn't have gone back anyway.

Long story, by way of saying maybe you could contact Brother's corporate offices. Knowing that people aren't spending money because of shabby treatment is quite a motivator for change.

I bought all my machines online, only had to ship one back for repair, was no big deal and cost was reasonable. I keep the box it comes in and is shipped in just in case. I have no dealer anywhere close to me so...you do whatcha gotta do. I'd check online prices etc and you can always have it serviced by the person you like, chances are it won't need it anyway! good luck to you..lots of sales going on! I just got two new brothers.

my Brother dealer is great to work with. She told me I could buy my PC420 online if it was a better deal for me and
that she would service it when or if needed. Just don't buy a refurbished machine as she said dealers will not
service them. I did buy it from her as it was a pretty good deal. I love, love, love my new Brother machine. Still have 2 older Brother machines which haven't needed service in the 10 and 5 years I've owned them. Brother does make good machines for the price.

When I purchased my brother I rang brother themselves because the closest sewing machine seller did not sell their machines. I ordered and arranged a collection from another location as I was going on holiday and picked it up while away. Since I go on a few days break each year and take the machine for a service. Brother were great and understood exactly my problem. They did offer home delivery. Try them and see.ps classes. When I picked it up me nephews liste need that intently they could Orkney the machine very well.

The closet Brother dealer to me serviced my refurbished PC-6500 with no hesitation, it even has a sticker on the bottom saying 'Refurbished', they stuck the sticker with my contact info right beside it. They may not want to do warranty work on refurbished machines.

If you like Brother machines but have never been to a Brother dealer take the time to stop in and look at the machines. The Dreamweaver series is amazing.

It's a shame you feel that way, but you could go look at a Babylock. Same manufacture and maybe the people are nicer. I think Brother and Babylock are the bomb and I buy Babylock because of the same dealer situation.
Leaving you in the middle of cutting your fabric??? No way. I would have asked for the manager - my luck it would have been the galavanting cutter.

I would go to the dealership with the good repair person. The other place may have good sales people that you would deal with one time but have a bad repair person that would do more harm than good to your machine.

If I get an unfriendly feeling or a clueless employee look from a store I walk out. I'll order online or drive to another town. I'm very picky who I give my money to.

Three of my machines are Brothers and I love them all. I purchased all of mine from www.allbrands.com They have FREE shipping and my machines arrived in three days each time I ordered one. They are an authorized dealer.

You can check out www.hsn.com they sell some brother machines too.

I think this is a good idea. After you buy it you will probably not deal with the sales people again, so no worries.

I really agree with Dolphyngyrl. Brothers are really good machines and do not have a lot of problems.

Well sadly I have had the similar experience at the Brother dealer here, and so I use the Babylock dealer and they are great. I had issues with the Brother dealer, and asked for the manager of the store, unfortunately that is who I was speaking with : ( so that did me absolutely no good to call the manager. So instead I emailed Brother about my experience, and they replied back thanking me for giving them the info. Not sure what happened, since I don't go in that store anymore, but at least I felt better : )

Depends on why you don't like the dealer...if it has nothing to do with their knowledge of the Brother sewing machine, then buy it from them. The repair person is "excellent" and those of us who have Brothers speak well of them. I made the mistake once in buying a machine from a really friendly, nice dealer. Turned out that dealer was a great quilter but really didn't care to learn about the machines being sold in the store. I was new to quilting and ended up buying the wrong machine for me..Buy where the dealer knows what's being sold, outside and inside, and can help you with questions. Don't lose something YOU want because you don't like the person selling it!

I don't have a Brother but would never buy a machine from a shop I didn't want to go back to or deal with. Never know when you might need help! I don't often have a problem with any of my machines but want to know that there is a dependable, knowledgeable and helpful staff that I can turn to. Life is too short to deal with difficult people if you have a choice. Good luck!

I bought a Bernina online because I did not like the local dealer. When I needed some instructions on how to work it, I called another Bernina dealer about 40 minutes away and they gave me instructions. If I needed repairs, I would also go back to her as she has a wonderful reputation for repairing Berninas. I would buy your Brother anywhere I wanted and then call them for repairs if you need it. I have never needed repairs on my Bernina in the 7 years I've had it.

I would go with the local area store. If the service dept. is good, that means a lot. Unfortunately the service people need to have some training in customer service. The idea of purchasing from the owner or manager is a good idea if you don't feel comfortable with the other staff.

I purchased my Bernina locally when we lived in Ill. The classes were especially helpful after the purchase. Now I live in Wis. so I go to Brubakers in Owen/ Withee and this store is run by the Menonites. The have the best service for the best price. Sometimes you have to look around for great customer service.

if you have a preferred repairman i would buy online i bought mine from kenssewingcenter.com i think its from alabama and got free shipping and they have an excellent service dept mine had a tiny part that broke in shipment and i called and they mailed it out straight away it wasnt anything that stopped the machine from working but they had the best price on mine at the time. ive ordered other things from them too. i live in a small area in oklahoma the only place in our town to get a sewing machine is walmart and they had my machine there but the price was the same at kens and it came with more accessories so that was the better deal.
i love their service.
carla m

that's when I'd contact corporate head quarters and tell them my story. wouldn't happen to me twice.

I know what you mean...I have been sewing machine snooping for a couple years...so when I decide on one I will know who has what. Well...there really isn't anyone I really think is a great shop. Sewing machine dealers need to wake up and know we are not just stupid housewives who don't know anything.

I talked to the owner of one of the shops here a while back and told him I was interested in just a newer machine with a bigger sewing area....I already have their embroidery machine (that I don't use any more for embroidery), he told be to trade in my expensive machine on a quilting one...for just $800. more. I said hmmm...that one has a 1.5" bigger harp....that is about $500 and inch for a no frills machine...no thanks I will suffer with mine. He laughed and said...guess that was true...and walked away.

I just bought a new Brother machine from Joanns. I ordered it and at the time it was free shipping. It is a XL 3750 and I love it.

I own 2 Brothers one from the local dealer, and one I purchased on line from Kens sewing center in Georgia, and both had excellent customer service before and after the sale, I would speak to the shop owner and if he did not respond in the manner you expected try Kens on line, there are lots of places that can service the machine, including the local dealer. I had "lesson" coming to me for the embroidery machine, but have never used them as I subscribe to some yahoo boards and get all the help I need. I have taken my machine in once for a minor problem at no cost, and it is due for a checkup and cleaning, I purchased it in 2010. These are really trouble free machines. The other Brother I own is the 15oo series quilter which I adore.
Good Luck
Pat

I had the same problem with one of the owners in my area...very downgrading. I had bought three machines from them and wanted another light weight machine to bring for classes. They do offer alot of projects and quilting classes, etc. most the project classes are free if you bought your machine from them. I also live near them so its great for me. Anyways, after they made me feel cheap and would not really come down on the price I shopped else where on line. I did find a dealer that was willing to work with me and I bought the machine $300.00 less then my place wanted. If interested where contact me. I bought the NX 450 Q and really like the features. I have the Quatro so wanted a cutter and auto needle threader. But most of all got it for a good price...waiting for my dealer to notice I bought elsewhere...lol Serves them right !!

I just got a new Brother for Christmas that I'd been saving for. I did all my research online to choose what machine would give me what I wanted (needed) for quilting & when I went to my dealership all I had to do was tell them what I wanted. The Sales person had very little to do with it other than ordering it for me & calling to say it was in. I got the Laura Ashley NX2000 & just adore it!! Good luck with whatever you choose!

I want a new brother too, but my Mom says we have to keep the one I have.

How about it's babylock "twin"? Is there a good BL dealer?

Bought my Brother from Amazon.com and a dealer in another state, and it was a refurbished, which can be anything from someone opened the box and returned it to there was something wrong and was fixed. First one didn't work and called and few days later I had another one SQ9000 with 80 stitches and it sews beautiful. No brother dealer around here and no problems learning. But we have sewing machine repair people IF I need one so not worried. Love Baby lock but pricy when retired, and have other machines, I just wanted one with fancy stitches I didn't have and it was under $140. With a Kenmore 19000 made by Janome that does embrodery, Kenmore all metal from late 197-'early 80's, 201-3 and treadle, don't need any more, but WANT a FW in worst way. Oh well, maybe someday.

I have a Bernina that is 18 years old, and I use a dealer/shop close by that services ALL brands of machines. I live in a rural area, and if I had to find a dealer for Bernina AND a dealer for Brother (another machine I have), I could go over 200 miles to get machines fixed.

Rofl! I always wanted a sister, since I have 2 brothers....