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Have you asked if you could make an appointment and when they are ready to work on the machine they could call you to bring it in that way you would only be a day or two with out one. My shop will do that. there is really no reason that your machine needs to sit in their shop just waiting for its turn to be worked on.

I have to admit, it everything is going fine, I wouldn't take it in, either.

I sent my Horizon 7700 in one time in 4 years, just because I hadn't sent it in yet, but it had some small things I wanted them to look at. However, my husband had it apart underneath and found lots of lint where a normal clean it out wouldn't work. But that was after i had sewn almost nonstop on it fo 2-3 years.

It is to their advantage to have scared customers.

I am very fortunate - my Viking dealer is less than a mile away and he has a 24 hour turn around for cleaning and servicing, less if it is brought in when they open in the morning. He also services other brands - so I have taken in my Featherweights. I am giving one to my niece and I want to make sure it is full working condition. Tomorrow when I pick up the FW, I am taking in my Viking. I have had it 3 years and it has been used a lot - performance it great but I noticed some squeaking at times in the embroidery unit - so feel it needs to be checked.

I think two weeks for general cleaning is a rip off. I have watched a tech service a high end machine and it takes less then an hour if no parts are needed. They do not test everything unless there is a problem note attached with the machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnajean (Post 7251336)

Find a location that they service the machine on site. Many shops have someone pick up machines once a week to take to another location. And, if you should need a part, expect them to have the machine even longer. My neighbor is without her Viking high end embroidery machine for almost 3 weeks now. We actually drove from Southeast PA to Lawrenceville, NJ to a Viking Dealer and when I asked if they serviced on site, we were told "yes". Then my neighbor was told later that the machines were sent to their Bordentown, NJ site for servicing. It would have been closer for us to drive to Bordentown. Today, we found that there is another location that would have serviced the machine cheaper, but I don't think they are a Viking Dealer. The Viking dealer is charging $249.00, plus parts. I took my 1996 Viking Rose in for the 1st time year before last. That cost me $149.00 and I did not even take the embroidery attachment in. I later found that I did not have a problem with the machine itself. I actually wore out the Walking Foot.

FWIW - the shop you & friend took this machine to is excellent. I've been dealing with them for 25 years. It's only recently that they started doing the work in the Bordentown location. It used to all be done in the Lawrenceville location. I think rent in that location is getting a little out of hand as each time I go in that shop it's a bit smaller. Their repair guy is great and extremely knowledgeable. I just had my computerized Viking (about 12 yrs old) serviced there. I think it was about the $150 range. Price difference might be because of the embroidery???

Also, since the Bordentown location is closer for you - call them and ask if they can just hold it there for you to pick up instead of back in L'ville. I'm sure they will be fine with that plan.

I have a cheap Brother machine as a backup.

my sewing machine shop is swamped all the time, and usually quote 5-6 weeks wait. I put my vintage machines to work then.

a total service on a 50-60's machine I can have done locally is $69.00
Total service on my Janomes is about $125.00

Thank you all so much for all the help and information! I think, I will wait until there is something specific that could do with being looked at, and in the meantime try and save up and source a cheap 'emergency' machine!

I agree with Prism and would not take it in for servicing. I have a Viking bought in 1980 and used for many many draperies and other home dec projects, clothing and some piecing of quilts. I REGULARLY clean/cleaned out the bobbin area and my machine does not require oiling. I had it in for servicing one time and when I got it back, it was messed up and had to go back to be adjusted. unfortunately, something is now wrong with the gear for the presser foot pressure and it will not hold the pressure. A few places told me via the phone that it is obsolete and parts are unavailable. I am so sad about that. 34 years of wonderful reliability!! I bought a Bernina 830 6 years ago and it doesn't stand up to the Viking for dependability!

I totally agree. Like the saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it. They might fix it worse. Look at your manual, if you have one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tartan (Post 7251339)

If it is sewing fine, I would give it a good clean out in the bobbin area and put a drop of oil on the hook and sew until she started acting up. If the technician doesn't know that brand, it could take quite a while to get it sewing well again. Unless they have loaner machines while yours is in the shop, I would wait.
I would also be a little suspicious if they called with a major expensive fix if it was sewing fine. Then what do you do? Okay it for them to continue or bring home your non functioning machine.....just my opinion.