contact the Better Business Bureau. I contacted them when the computer shop tried to cheat me. They took care of the problem and I got a new computer.

There are two sewing machine "repair people" in the town where I live. One is capable of doing very good work but usually dumps it off to some new employee and you can't get it back for three months, so I won't take it to him any more. The other is a 40-ish person who really means well but lacks experience and he cleaned my machine and it came back all oily and the zig zag and fancy stitches wouldn't change width. I drove 50 miles to the next nearest place and got a pretty young man and thought, great another one with no experience, but to my surprise he did a wonderful job and he now has the Pfaff to adjust the famcy stitches and adjust the needle threader. Hate to drive 100 mile round trip but it's worth it to save the hassle!

This is reassuring. I've heard from one other person whom these people cheated!

I am so sorry you're having this problem. I feel fortunate that I bought my machine from a shop with a great reputation, and they have never let me down. I hope this works out well for you, despite the aggravation.

So sorry for your trouble with not ONE but TWO machines!! What a nightmare! Please do keep us informed and I hope it all works out for the best!!!

definitely small claims court ....do you have any receipts that they have the machines? If so when you win, they have to pay court costs, too.

I would also let them know you belong to a quilt board online and you are going to let everyone know what horrible experience you had and word of mouth is great!

This is all so wrong. My thoughts will be with you when you go back. Don't go alone though. I like the idea of having a policeman with you. Sure can't hurt!

Oh my goodness! I live about 25 minutes from, and used to work, in Williamsport. As soon as you described the shop (before I noticed where/who it was) I thought of a place I once visited when looking for a used sewing machine! Turns out when I read to the end of your post that I have been in there and you described it perfectly, except you left out dark and dusty...
I am so sorry you had this happen and so close to Christmas. I live 60 minutes from my Bernina dealer, but he is great and services all types of machines. He is located in Mifflinburg. There is also a place that handles a number of kinds of machines just about 5 minutes from the place you visited, on Basin St near Starbucks. I don't know them personally, but have been in the shop and they are pleasant and helpful. If you need anymore info, just PM me.
My DH says he goes in there every once in a while just because it is a verrrry interesting place...no one seems to care if you buy anything or not. (don't know why he would find it fun, but then... ) :shock:

This is theft. They have your machine and won't return it. The receipt proves the ownership. I sure hope you got a receipt.