I have experienced this in regard to sewing machines. I can afford to buy a more expensive machine, but they are intimidating to me and frankly-I hardly use most of the functions on my more expensive machines (the most expensive cost less than $800). I was considering buying the machine you have and think it is a great value for the money. I am sorry you had to experience this persons attitude. I hope the class was worth the price and that the instructor was nice.

Pat

I go to Bernina workshops quiet often and I don't own a Bernina. As long as I buy fabric and supplies from the shop, the owner doesn't care what I sew on. I usually take my FW. Any shop owner or dealer that talked down to any customer about what machine they have would never get a penny of my money.

Interesting thread - as I've just purchased a new machine also - traded Bernina for Janome. Both are great machines and both do well at what they were intended for. It seems to me that attitudes toward different brands of sewing machines are similar to what people think of car brands - ie., some people are convinced that Chevy is the only brand or maybe Ford. My Dad would never drive anything but a Chevy nor buy any appliance other than Kenmore!

I'd say -- run, don't walk to another shop. The cost of the class may be understandable, the attitude is not.

I have had the same problem with some "snobbish" dealers. I just don't go back. I hope your machine serves you for a long time. As someone else suggested, ask around and you'll get ideas where to go for classes and where not to go. Good luck.

Excellent answer! I have one of the "better" machines and also several old vintage machines. Guess which ones I would prefer to sew on...it certainly isn't the high priced one!

I have experienced similar "snobbery". It just cracks me up to be treated in such a way by someone making minimum wage and a fabric discount!

Yep...I find most QS's have some type of snob working behind the desk...They do want you to purchase thru them because most are paid on small salary and mostly comissions on machines sold...And yes, all dealers will tell you why their machines are the best. Most dealers if you buy from them give free classes and discounted quilt classes. Also 10 percent off on supplies if you buy for class.
I've even run into shop owners who are fabric snobs...I do allot of scene applique and have asked shops why they don't carry more fabric such as people, villages, towns, trees, water, sky etc...And the answer is "Well your looking for Country and we only carry Contemporary fabrics...And they way they say it...it's like Country design has a disease...Well, excuse me..You fabric snob...Let me move on to somewhere that appreciates my money.

actually dealer shops have a contract with the machine companies they sell for...they really do not have to offer you classes at all if you buy a NON-dealership machine!
Do not blame the shop person, she is not being a snob it is just that the machine company has rules.

Our Bernina shop sells Bernina and Janome and that is ALL she is allowed to do repair/cleaning on! If she get caught working on another brand, she loses her licensing with the machine company!

Same at the Pfaff shop..he is only allowed to work on Pfaff machines!

and neither of them will do classes on machine NOT bought at those stores!