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.

I can understand your not wanting to sell it to another individual, you would be sticking them with your problem. I hope you can get the dealer or the manufacturer to do something. For the money you have invested, you should have a beautifully working machine. Good luck.

I've always heard how reliable the Berninas are but now I'm beginning to question that. Hope you get this figured out.

Thread is simply not my problem with my 830. My machine has had 2 faulty sensors replaced, the upper threading system replaced, the auto threading spring replaced, the BSR spring replaced and two weeks ago a part literally fell out of the machine on my work. None of these things involved user error(I've been trained thoroughly and have close to 5 million stitches on it). I love my machine but I think it's similar to that old song, "There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, she was horrid!". I love it when it's acting right. I just wish it would behave more often than not.

I am suprised to hear Bernia is making such a tempermental machine. I think I would be tempted to take it back to where I got it, tell them it is a lemon. You paid good money and expected to get a good machine in exchange. If they cann't fix it give me my mony back! (our state has a lemon law, and it applies it any appliance, auto's ect.)

Thanks to all of you. Believe me, I have tried every kind of thread that's made (well probably not all) and it does prefer certain threads over others but that's not the only issue. And forget the BSR (which is one of the main reasons I bought it). The spring has been replaced and it still doesn't work. I've restored to the darning foot and it does much better with that. Thank you for the suggestions. The dealer has been helpful and wants me to be happy and maybe they would be willing to work something out with me. I'll contact them. I haven't touched the Bernina today. Fortunately I also have a Pfaff 2056 and she has just been sewing her little heart out this afternoon with not one problem - and not one temper tantrum!!!

MPSpeedy - are you talking about Mr. Zimmerman at Hinkeltown in PA? From what I have been told, he is one of the largest Bernina dealers in the World. So, he is able make deals that smaller dealers are not.

When I bought by Artista 630 (which I love, love), there were people in my class from Washington,DC, Maryland and upstate NY. I met a vendor from Texas at a quilt show and she was going to buy an 830 from him. A long way to travel!

I love my Bernina 1260. It sews with every type thread I put on it. I'll sew with it until it dies a natural death. I probably won't buy any new model Bernia. They are too high maintenance and fussy.

i wonder if the "lemon law" applies to sewing machines. as far as unloading the machine you have...would you feel comfortable passing on a machine that is having issues?

I trade my 440QE for an 820 and cursed the day I did it. I t went up to Chicago for Repairs twice. he last time was the straw that broke the camel's back. Found out the 820 had to be babied and I don't baby my sewing macines. My dealer let me trade it in for a 550QE with no extra cost to me. She gave me credit for the extra bobbins and extra feet I bought and traded me for a new insert for my table. I love my 550. I never quilted on the 820 although that is one of the reasons I bought, for the wide throat. I also bought it for th extra large bobbin. I don't miss either part.

I have the vintage '70's Bernina Record 830 and have never had any trouble with it. Maybe the problem is "they don't make 'em like they used to"? I know that the new Singers are garbage. I wouldn't own a new machine if it were given to me!

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I also have the Bernina 820 & for same period of time. Mine is 20 months old & at first it scared me to death but the dealer was fantastic & helped me thru the learning curve. The only problem I have had is usually with the bobbin & it's usually something that I didn't do right. The only other issue has been thread. It seems to be pretty particular with the type of thread I use. Maybe that's what your problem is. Have you tried other thread brands to see if that could be the source of your troubles? Might be worth trying. I feel for you as it is incredibly frustrating when these "beauties" act up, somewhat like a teenager !!! LOL Don't give up just yet as you can always trade in (or whatever) when your timeline suits you. Best of luck.

[QUOTE=Candace;5411039]I would imagine you'd have better luck trading up. For example, if your dealer carries longarms?---- Unfortunately, my dealer only carries a couple of brands of longarms and I'm really wanting the Innova. ----

This doesn't address the original question of trading down, but, on the subject of longarms---yes, yes, yes, to the Innova. I don't have one but have tried them several times at the Machine Quilters Showcase and Love them. For one thing they are much lighter in weight than my present longarm.

I have had a Bernina 830 for 40 years with never a moment's problem. If I do have a small issue, it is usually ME that has done something wrong. It has been reliable and trouble free and I sew A LOT!

I would definitely talk to your dealer. No machine should be that aggravating! When I decided to buy a new machine I had a time deciding which one I wanted and my dealer really worked with me to get the one I wanted/needed, as in taking back two machines before I finally decided! I have never worked with another dealer, but would hope they are all as good as the one I use. I have the 630E (which I use to learn and do all my free motion quilting on) and an ‘antique’ 930 which I will NEVER give up. It’s a real prize. Good luck to you.

I think if I were having so much trouble with my machine, I would really give serious consideration to purchasing a different brand. I have several friends that have Bernina's and have had them in the shop many times for expensive repairs, but I have been lucky with the brand that I have. Quilters spend a lot on these machines to only have continued expensive repairs. You could use that repair money to buy a more reliable machine. Just my two cents worth... lol

I have a Babylock and have been using Gutterman thread too. Seems to work so much better. When my machine doesn't like a type of thread, it definitely lets me know. I only use Coats & Clark when I can't find a specific color match. Connecting Threads thread is happy in my machine too.

Never had a Bernina so can't help you out other than as mentioned to contact the company directly. Can't hurt. And, I'm actually very surprised at the comments about problems. I thought the Bernina was the best machine on the market. I've had my Babylock 4 years now and it's only been in the shop once for cleaning.

My quilting buddy neighbor was a huge Janome fan but had a lot of problems with her 9500 (I think that's the #). She finally got so frustrated and the dealer did everything he could to help her (he went above and beyond on this machine), that she finally broke down and bought a Babylock Symphony. She loves it. It's a great quilting machine and has awesome features that some machines just don't have. I love my Babylock and would never buy anything else.

I have had similar issues with my Bernina 830 but my dealer is fantastic to work with. He has even offered me a limited 830 for $1900 plus trade in my old one. It's behaved fairly well as of late but just two weeks ago I was FMQ and I had the same problems you described. The only thing different I did was change color of thread but same brand and it had fits!!...I plan to quilt again next week so I'll give it another chance!!!

There is the answer once again, they don't make thm like they used to!!

another thing is, I remember back when you could use any thread or color and the machine never acted up. Used to get the 2for a dollar spools all colors and just thread her up and sew. I realize that for FMQ you have to be more particular about thread. But for piecing, older is so much more better, as far as machines go.

I would keep on taking the machine to the dealer and demanding that they get the bugs worked out. I have a 200 machine (I think the 730 replaced the 200 model) that I had trouble with the 1st year I bought it. It was at the dealers more than in my sewing room but once they figured out what was wrong with it I love it. I also have a 440 that has never given me a problem. Hope things get worked out-

I think at this stage, and before any more time has passed,(since they usually will allow you fullprice of what you paid if you move up within a year) I would ask the dealer if they will give you what you paid for this one toward a different machine. If not, I would certainly write Bernina and ask them to replace your machine. I had a Bernina that was not up to their standards and they did replace it when I said I would have to envoke the lemon law if they didn't replace it. Good luck-we all pay big prices for these machines and any other big purchase -appliances, computers, cars, etc. we would not sit quietly by and say ,Oh well".

I agree make Bernina stand and deliver.....

When the Bernina Artista 200 came out, years ago, I purchased one on the first machines. I hated it! It was in the shop more than in my sewing room. It took three years and lots of upgrades; but now I love, love, love it. It has been a dream machine once all the bugs were worked out. When the 830 came out, I really wanted one; but did not want to go through what I went through with the new 200. I think Bernina puts new machines on the market before all the bugs are worked out. Once they solve all the problems with a new machine, I agree that nothing sews like a Bernina. I hope you can work out a good trade for your machine or that the problems can be fixed.

I have the new 830 and I commented to my dh the otherd day that it is sure nice to have a machine do what I want it to. In other words, I love my 830. I think you got a lemon & need to demand that they either fix it or replace it. (They being Bernina / your dealer)

I have a Singer Quantum and it sews great! It feeds fabric smoothly and and super quiet. I would buy another mid range or high end Singer.

Well, I don't see why not!

For some reason unknown to many of us, Bernina chose to use the same model number
again with this new version. I think it just confuses the issue!

I bought a Singer Golden Touch in 1968 and never had any problems with it, I sewed on it all the time and made all of my daughters and my clothes. However,I too have an antique Bernina, I saw a Bernina 930 demonstrated at a Quilt shop and decided I just had to have one. I purchased mine in 1985. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has truly been a real workhorse for me. I have (knock on wood) never had to have it in the shop. I had several friends purchase the computerized Berninas when they came out, but I decided I didn't want the hassle of dealing with all of the extras and the costs down the road when something might go wrong. I often piece my blocks on my FW, but do my quilting on my Bernina, I don't have a LA.
I agree with others, I would definitely contact Bernina and let them know, that you bought a LEMON and at a high price too. Ask them to replace it. One should not have to have their machine in the shop more than at home to use. Good Luck. I love my Bernina and my FW's. I still have my old Singer Golden Touch, should get it out and use it some or sell it.
I can't judge other brands, as I haven't tried them, and machines are just like cars, clothes and appliances, everyone has their own choice, that's why there are so many different brands and models.