my lqs is closing, and "my" bernina is on layaway there..help!!
 

Hi everyone-

I just rec'd an email from my LQS--they are closing their doors as of june 30. i have a demo/classroom bernina 450 on lawaway there. my original plan was to pick it up on 7/1 when i recieve a company bonus. However, i'll have to bail it out sooner. I'd like everyone's thoughts...my concerns are:

who will now service my machine. i do not know if the quilt shop has made arrangements for this.
who will now provide me with my new bernina owner classes? I think bernina calls them "mastery" classes.

I now have a lot of reservations about buying this machine. if i have a problem, do i even have recourse? what do you all think????

the flip side is, I could ask for my money back and go to a different dealer, or buy a different machine. I'm a viking owner now, I could buy a new viking and in all liklihood, be very happy.

Betsey

Why not email Bernina and ask where you stand and where the next nearest Dealer is. They should know.

I'd talk to Bernina and see if they can allay your concerns. If not, I would get my money back and buy a different machine. I'm not sure you'd be happy otherwise. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

I'd speak to the owner of the store, and also contact Bernina. The store will probably let you bail your machine out on July 1 - it's only one day after they close.

My major concern would be lessons, if you need them. My dealer is 2 hours away, and I've been able to solve any questions with an email or phone call, plus I have friends who also own Berninas.

Good luck.

Janet

i do know of two other bernina dealers. my concern is that if I buy this machine, will the other dealers honor the warrentee and be helpful, or is it a case of "you really need to have bought it here for me to take care of you". sigh. I need to be honest, 2000+ for a sewing machine is a HUGE thing for me. to not have good back up is scary. As I said, i can buy the viking and most likely be very very happy.

Have you asked these questions to your LQS regarding servicing and such? If not you probably should? If they don't give you a satisfactory answer you may want to consider bailing out and buying it elsewhere.

It's a hard decision to make. Even if the other two shops honor the warranty because that's the company that doesn't mean they'll give you good service. We have a Bernina shop here and I've been there many times and so has my daughter and others that I know. Even though they have pretty stuff; I don't like their staff. Let me take that back; they have a new person who just started there from another LQS and she's nice. The owner is the same way so there is no way I'd want to deal with them. I went with the Viking Ruby and I go and get classes and when they have people wanting a particular thing they make an extra class. Like this past week, they created a class for the using the cutwork needles and we made a beautiful table runner. Everyone in that store has been the nicest since I first walked in there two years ago and the girl who greated me offered to make me a fresh cup of coffee. Those are the kinds of people I want to deal with if I have an issue with my machine. Try to check out the staff at the other store and talk to the other stores and ask them about serviceing and helping you if you have any problems with your machine. Get a feel for them to see if it fits. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I bought a bernina from an out of town dealer who was no longer selling bernina's. I got a really good deal, and I've been able to get service from a more local dealer. The only downside, for the mastery classes, I had to pay for them out of pocket. However, paying for the classes was a lot cheaper than buying a Bernina at full price at my local dealer. In all honesty, I didn't look at buying a bernina at my local dealer, because I was pretty sure I couldn't afford one there. The classes were well worth what I paid, and after one service call for cleaning and such, she sings like a bird, and sews wonderfully.

I did send her an email asking these questions and most likely today I will stop in and ask in person. i would likely have a higher comfort level if i was a bernina owner allready and "spoke bernina". the two other dealers are both more than one hour away. i know, not a great amount of time, but for a working mom, time is everything <g>

Good luck making your decision.

If the cost of the machine includes the cost of the 'mastery classes', then the current retailer will not be able to honor that sale in it's entirety. I would expect a discount equivalent to the cost of the classes, or go elsewhere. Once the doors are shut, it will be your problem. Good that you are thinking ahead.

I would ask the LQS if they would give your classes before they close. More than likely they would be willing to do that since you are buying your machine from them. The Bernina isn't hard to use, and there are lots of you tube lessons on the different Berninas.

I would probably be inclined to cancel and buy a Viking where you would know you have support. I've heard that others have had problem when the try and get help from another store. Classes and support is as important as possible machine service. Sorry you have been put in this situation.

I would be concerned doing business, with a sewing machine store that is closing. A few years ago,
I had some software on lay a way. The store did not give me the courtesy to inform me they were closing
I learned from a friend. My husband and I had to jump through a few hoops to get my "lay away" money back.
That said, if you need lessons, its best to buy from a dealer who is actively in business.

$2K is a lot of money in my book too! IMHO a good dealer is essential. I love my Bernina but I also have an awesome dealer. They are an hour plus away but so worth the trip for me and they have deals worked out with LQS for weekly pickup and drop offs of machines for servicing and maintenance.

When I was first shopping for mine I went to a closer dealer and felt like I was a bother when I walked in the door. I went to the dealer over an hour away and was treated like an old dear friend the minute I walked through the door. I have never been unhappy with their service. I love them. And they have a beautiful quilt shop in addition to being a Bernina rep. So a good dealer means a LOT.

My Bernia dealer closed too and I only had one class. Another shop offered owners classes however, I wasn't notified and the time period expired. I only purchased the 230 but my 2 friends purchased the 440's and need classes on there software,...................not happy. calla

Sage advise. If you don't get the answers you want, ask for a refund and go elsewhere.

I agree and have 2 Vikings and love them

I also have Vikings (3) and love them. The dealer is 45 minutes away, but I have emailed or called and easily gotten issues resolved. I wasn't a big believer in the classes before the Viking purchase. They have been invaluable -- I was able to take classes multiple times, at no cost, and benefitted from each and every class. They all seemed to touch on different things (or maybe I hit overload quickly on the first couple). I feel like I could take the classes again now if I wanted to, and it's been 4-5 years since I bought the last one. To me, this is invaluable. Good luck to you.

Imho I would probably ask for my money back. That way, if I had any problems in the future, I would have someone to hold responsible. If they are going out of business, you have paid an awful lot and no help. When this store owner goes out of business, SHE IS OUT.

well-to follow up--i just got back from stopping in at the shop that is closing. she offerred to take 250-off, but went on to say that she could make more selling it on ebay after she closes. she told me she would give me the classes before she closed, but that "its a bernina, take it to a bernina dealer for service"...stating the store in delaware nad the one in burlington city. i asked if she had made arrangements, ie given them a heads up and "NO" was the answer.

I asked for a full refund, which she agreed too, but then stated i would have to wait until next tuesday when her bookkeeper was in.

sooooo, viking or pfaff?? i have a viking 350 (their intro to computerized machines about 15 years ago)--will my walking foot for that machine work on a saphire?

I would test drive the Sapphire before you buy it. I traded in a Viking Lily (I loved that machine!) for a Sapphire when they first came out. The feet may or may not have been compatible, but I had so many problems fmq that I ended up buying new feet just to be sure they weren't the source of the trouble.

I understand they've improved the Sapphire in the years since, so your mileage may vary. Just make sure you have a good dealer behind you. I did not, which is why I have the Bernina.


Janet

With a dealer like that it's good she is going out of business. Her remark about selling on Ebay was way out of line to say to a customer not to mention the fact she she is acting like her going out of business excuses her from her customer obligations.

I purchased my Bernina in one state and later moved to another. I have had no problems with the dealer here servicing my machine. I took my lessons with the dealer who sold me the machine. If the machine was not purchased from him, you had to pay for the lessons.

It was probably a reasonable offer to take $250 off and give you the classes before she closes. I bought my 440 used from a private party and paid to take the classes. My local Bernina dealer offers an adoption package for $250 for all the classes and servicing for one year. I've done that twice, once for the 440 and once for my 1300 serger and it was well worth it. You might give the other dealers a call. It might be possible to arrange an appointment to have it serviced while you wait so you don't drive an hour away twice. I love my Berninas ...

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sooooo, viking or pfaff?? i have a viking 350 (their intro to computerized machines about 15 years ago)--will my walking foot for that machine work on a saphire?[/QUOTE]

Most of the feet should work. I bought a Ruby and I had already had the Viking #1 and all of the feet fit on the Ruby. There is quite a bit of age difference between the two. Good luck. I think you made a good choice.

here is a quick follow up...I did call Hubby and tell him what transpired. He did not like the "wait a week for a refund"...and decided to stop in there on his way home. in his words "all i did was say, Laurie, can we talk about Betsey's Machine (i think in his mind, he wanted to bring it home) and she started yelling at him". Long story short, i have a check from her in my hands.

WOW. it may be a blessing in disguise even if she had not closed up shop! i bought last month from a closing dealer and we were provided with "certificates" to our dealer of choice for classes and the one-year free cleaning. I think the new dealer needs to be paid for the classes and they must work that out between themselves. Its always to the new dealer's advantage to treat the new customer well for obvious reasons. This is all moot for you now!! Take a look at the Pfaff Ambition 1.0 and 1.5...they are loaded with features...great bang for the buck...lovely stitches and only lack a thread-cutter. So far, lots of rave reviews on that one.

Ask the other dealers if they'd honor your warranty work and classes from the other closing store. Also this could give you an opportunity to deal the price down farther.

I have a 450 & if I lived closer I would teach you my self :-) If you want it that bad then through hoops to get it......I love mine & it really is easy to use, you can PM me anytime :-)

Thank you so much! in all honesty---i'm the kind of person that believes that things work out the way they are supposed to. at this point, i will NOT go back and try to make a deal with her. that's also me <g>.

The one thing that did bother me about the bernina, was the shorter throat space. One of my goals is to become more proficient at machine quilting...so maybe this works out to be a blessing in disguise. Yesterday i was feeling a bit down about this...but then i realized, i'm not moving from a mercedes to a yugo, i'm now looking at volvo's and bmw's <g>.

betsey

If you have all these concerns I would ask for my money back and go some place else to buy.If you belong to a quilt guild ask them who cleans and repairs their machines.

Well since your back to shopping, a shopping I would go. Test drive all those that hold an interest to you, and even consider looking at others. Make a list of the most important items you want on your new machine, and explore all your options. Honestly I think I would look for the store I like the best and go from there. Although I am sad your not going to be able to get this machine, honestly I think it was for a reason. That lady seems very difficult to deal with, and a bit rude. Good luck on your new adventure and keep us posted as to what you decide on!! Happy Shopping!!

Good luck with your dilemma! Hope everything works out!

I have a Bernina which I love ! The LQS where I purchased It moved to another state but made arrangements for any thing I needed (or any of their Bernina owner customers) to be handled at the next closest Bernina dealer. We all miss them terribly but our Berninas are well cared for and are excellent machines.

a bit rude is a mild understatment ;) i have a list of those that interest me, and will check them out. please don't be sad about this machine...we aren't talking a puppy or a horse here! :) things always work out the way they are supposed to, it's all good!

betsey

I bought my first embroidery machine at The International Houston Quilt Show never thinking about lessons or care. The dealer was about 2 hrs away. After I found a dealer not 12 miles from me (has since closed) that when I asked her if I could take lessons when she gives her next class could I join in she said "you should have bought it from me." I explained I didn't even know she was there and would pay for the lessons but was refused. I vowed then never to buy impulse,always buy from close by dealer.If you are given an opportunity to get your money back I would.Find a nearby dealer with that money and go from there.

youtube is great to help if you are trying to find out how to do something. hope it helps if you need it.
Deb

I would talk to the store which is closing because they will know where you can get your machine fixed when if it needs repaired in the future. Some sewing machine stores will repair other models. Borrow the money from mom or dad or sisters or brothers. Just be sure to pay them back because if you don't it will cause a riff in family relationships.
Good luck.