Opinions on This APQS George
 

I have an opportunity to purchase a used 2011 APQS George at a good price. $3k US.

Even after exchange on the money, duty and taxes that is about 1/2 what a Sweet Sixteen is going to cost me new, here in Canada. (I haven't been able to find any mid-arms used.)

Main drawback is that its a long drive. About 8 hours.

So, is 3k for this model a good deal? I haven't been able to find any comparable machines/numbers anywhere.

What are people's experiences with the Goerge and with APQS?

Watson

Sign on to the APQS website @ APQS.com. On the top of the screen in the far right is the forum, where lots of users provide info, etc. look around there and you'll find lots of info. I don't own a George. I have a Millenium, but the reason I do is because I read a lot on the forum and learned about the great customer service. Check it out.

APQS is great on customer service....can troubleshoot over the phone if need be......I have owned an apqs longarm for many years....never any problems that were not owner caused! Would not hesitate to purchase their product again! As an aside, when I did purchase, it was from a private party, so I then called apqs so they had on their record a change of ownership.......jmho

don't forget to add in at least one hotel night and hundreds of dollars in gas!

Take a friend and find a few interesting spots to stop for a bit along the way! Even a fabric shop? Good luck!

I have a friend who longarms professionally on her computerized APQS (stand-up version) and she loves it. APQS has a good reputation. However, I believe that significant improvements have been made in sit-down longarms since 2011, so that would be a huge consideration. At the very least, I would not purchase without trying out the George and comparing it to the Sweet 16. Of course that means that if you decide not to purchase then the money for the trip has already been spent.

I tried out George at several different quilt shows and like it a lot. It felt very smooth and visibility was great. It needs more oiling than the Sweet Sixteen (you only oil the hook on the Sweet16). I think george had two wicks that you needed to oil plus the hook, but I may be misremembering. If there had been one in my price range I’d have grabbed it up. I spent several years trying out all the sit down mid arms and long arms at the quilt shows and sewing expos near me and I found that I liked the George, Sweet Sixteen, Juki and the Innova equally. You may decide you prefer one over the other, but all of those are well made, handled anything I threw at them in terms of threads, double and triple layers of batting, etc.

I looked for a couple of years at the used forums, eBay and Craig’s list for any one of those 4 machines before something came up in my price range- it ended up being a 4 year old Sweet Sixteen with only 600,000 stitches on it and came with the Bobbin Winder and every available upgrade and all the feet I wanted, but no stitch regulation (which I did NOT want). I’m very happy with it and am sure that if an affordable used George, Juki or Innova had shown up I’d have been just as happy with them.

I’m glad that I took a few years trying out all the machines because It really helped me feel confident in buying the used machine.

Rob

APQS is currently offering demo machines for sale...I follow the site regularly as I am still deciding on which LA I want this fall.

George normally sells for $6,900 and APQS is offering a demo machine for $6,300 so I think 3k is an awesome deal. I have not played on a George personally but I attended an APQS road show last summer and others had wonderful comments. More than likely, I am going to go with APQS because of customer support and their warranty. Good luck Watson.

After much to-ing and fro-ing, this isn't going to work for me to get it here. Thanks for all the advice. Onward and upward.

If anyone is near Vermont and wants the contact info, let me know. Seems like a great machine.

Watson

I looked on the website. Make sure that it comes with the extensions. Otherwise you have a drag. Looks like table is pretty narrpw. I have sweet 16 and love it. My husband made extensions from old countertop and piano hinges and I love it.