New policy at LQS
 

I am lucky to have three LQS close to me. Each one sells a different brand of machine. The one that sells Brother/BabyLock put up a sign this week that says. No Returns on Fabric, Notions, or MACHINES.
It gave me pause to not buy anything. Were they getting a lot of returns and why? The other two shops do not have this policy. Seems odd with competition this shop would go this route unless returns were out of control.

Why don’t you stop in and have a conversation with them? Ask about the policy change.

I don't know about this store, but I did see a notice online for a store that wasn't taking returns because of covid. It made little sense to me especially this late, but who knows? But I agree with ckcowl, I'd ask.

I did ask the employee there what happened to having no returns. She said all she knew was there was a lot of new machines bought had a problem. Customers wanted their money back instead of getting them fixed because of the long time of no parts coming in. I said that sounded reasonable to me. She shrugged and said the owner was tired of dealing with it.

I can understand why they won't take the fabric back, but if the machine has been used, it becomes a "used machine" instead of a "new" machine. They can't resell the used machine for the same selling price as a new one. Once I went through two machines until the I got the third machine that I kept. Yes, each time I returned a machine, I did not get the full price back. But, now I have my favorite machine that will probably outlive me.

This was an expensive lesson for me. I learned that one should always sew on a machine at the shop before buying it!

I don't necessarily have a problem with no fabric returns, but a machine is a different story. If it was purchased new, and has a problem, as in it didn't work properly right out of the box, then they need to stand by their product, or get a quick reputation of dealing/selling shoddy machines. The LQS needs to deal with the factory on a defective machine. Someone having buyers remorse after a couple weeks is a different story. Prior to buying my last machine I spent time testing it at several different places. Needed to make sure I was comfortable with it. As it is, I like it, and use it, but often pull out my old workhorse, basic machine.

Seems like a bad business decision to me. It certainly wouldn't encourage me to shop there.

so they are saying they don't stand behind their machines.

Yeah... not good. With the price of new machines you ought to be able to change your mind, trade up, or whatever. I'm sure people would rather buy from her competitors who will take machines back if you change your mind or have a problem.

If you talk to the owner about it, let us know what her reasoning is.

Whenever I've purchased a new machine, in the box, in the store, I've had them unbox it. I insisted they show me that it actually runs and stitches as it should. Who knows how the machine was handled in shipping, storage, etc. Always have them demo it for you before you buy, that way you know it works. If the store is not willing to do that, then go someplace else.