Is it possible to trade down at a dealer?
 

I have a Bernina 820, which is now 18 months old. I bought it primarily because I wanted to do more of my own quilting on large quilts. Most of the time it works beautifully but every once in awhile it becomes very tempermental and I can spend hours trying to get it to free-motion quilt. A perfect example is yesterday when I was 3/4 through quilting a quilt (it had worked beautifully all afternoon) and for an unknown reason it decided it didn't want to stitch correctly anymore. It took me well over an hour to get it to work correctly again. This kind of thing has happened a number of times now and I have had it at the dealers at least three times. I have found out in the last months that these machines, as a model, are quite tempermental. I am wondering if I could take it to a Bernina dealer and work a trade for another Bernina machine. I realize I would take a significant financial loss but it might be worth my sanity. Also, can anyone suggest a Bernina model that is reliabable and not so tempermental. I'm sorry to ask such a dumb question but I only hear about people trading up!

Sorry that this machine isn't working out as well for you as you had hoped.

I am surprised to hear that some of them seem to be rather temperamental.

I would imagine you'd have better luck trading up. For example, if your dealer carries longarms? I've actually thought about this myself as I have the 830 and it's been in the shop much more than I'd like!! Unfortunately, my dealer only carries a couple of brands of longarms and I'm really wanting the Innova. But, maybe you could work out a deal?

My MIL had traded her 730 in on one when they first came out. She loved the 730 and thought this one would be better and do so much more. She HATED it, it never worked right and was always messing up. Took it back and traded it for a used 730 and and upgraded 200. Both of these have been great and their used nearly everyday, the 8 spent 4 month in the repair shop the first year. We've not had these other two in the shop for any repairs

You can always check - I know that they have new 700 models coming out soon (750, 760, 780 or something). They do have a larger than normal bobbin and the throat space is increased (not as big as the 830 but probably close). The only issue is that new machines coming out sometimes it takes a while to work the bugs out.

forgot to mention you might also contact Bernina headquarters. Not badmouthing your dealer, stating they have been helping you but you just can't take the frustration anymore - you never know

I think you would be better off selling your 820 privately (ebay or craigslist) then buying a different machine outright.

How about selling it outright and purchasing something different? Or working with your dealer for a " downgrade" and another machine, say a serger or a back smaller back-up machine, in trade for your present machine.

My 830 was a pain for the longest time until I found out that it didn't like the thread I was using. I switched to Gutermann cones and now have not had one problem. At first, I wanted to take mine back, also, but I hung in there and now I'm happy as can be. It doesn't like anything but cones. I ordered some other brands of cones to see if she'll like them, but I know the Gutermann cone did the trick.

I am foratunate enough to work with a Bernina Dealer who is Menonite. He and I have done a lot of business. About a year ago I traded him my almost 20 year old much loved and used Bernina 1260 for a gently used Artista 185 without the embroidery module. He also bought back from me the dozens of special feet I had purchased for my 1260 over the years and the dozens of bobbins that would not fit the newer machine. I had been working for another Bernina dealer when I purchased the 1260 in the 90's and got it for the dealer price of I think $1800. Between buying back my feet and the bobbins plus the older machine, the newer machine cost me less than $500.
Several years ago I purchased a Bernina 220 which is a much less expensive and lighter weight machine from my first dealer to take to retreats etc. The feet for it fit my now newer machine.
It is worth talking to the dealer who sold you the new machine to see what kind of deal he is willing to make. If they are the ones who have been working on it for you. I am sorry to hear that you have had trouble with your Bernina. I am a confirmed Bernina lover.