Friends, I am heartbroken. The other day, my Bernina 930 started hissing and popping and spewing thick white smoke. The repairman called, and said the board was fried. :o( It will cost $275 to ship it to Bernina (can't be fixed locally, even by an authorized repairman).

The truly sad thing is, I just bought this about 5 months ago from a dear friend for $700. It was well maintained, and I had it serviced as soon as I bought it.

I never thought I could be so attached to a piece of machinery, but I cried when it happened. The question is, should i fix it? Look for another?? Does anyone have an experience with a fried board???

I'd suggest getting it fixed. If it caused you to shed a tear, fixing it will make you smile (alot)!

Hi, MY 1260 didn't smoke etc. but I did have to have the board replaced. It cost about the same but I have gotten at least 5 more years of sewing out of it and it is still going. I have purchased another Bernina sewing machine a 230 last year primarily to take on my retreat as it weighs a good ten lbs. less than my 1260. Irionically it has more stitches than my older favorite. It also cost half what the a third of what the 1260 did but I had to spend another $300 to have it upgraded with a knee bar and foot pedal that did the same things as my old friend. If the computer board goes again I will probably have to give up on my old friend as I doubt the parts will be available. In the meantime it keeps plugging along.

Find another repairman see if you can get a second opinion regarding, not being able to repair on site. Where do you have to ship it for $275.00? the moon?or does that include repair?

Compare what a new one just like it would cost to what it will cost to repair and then take into condsideration that you would have a warranty on the new one if something happen. If you cannot afford a new one right now then I would get it fixed and hope nothing else goes wrong on it.
It's a hard decision but we all have a lot of money invested in our machines and we also spend lots of time with them so of course we get attached to them. Think seriously about it and get back on your way to quilting

Oh, sorry, that includes the repair. Goodness, I probably could ship it to the moon for that! LOL

Look at it this way, you can't buy a new Bernina for $275. and it will be good as new when they return it. I'd go for it, the sooner the better.

First, find out how old it is. Than make the decision to fix it or not. Bernina's usually last a long time and at the price of them I would probably fix it.

If it can be repaired for that price and you love the machine better do it.

I would go for it, have it fixed.

have it fixed...at Christmas time Bernina 930's that did not even have all of the original parts were selling on Ebay for over $1,500.00!

If you send it in to be REFURBISHED, it will be like a NEW one...man it will last the rest of your life and a daughter's!

Ooooooo, so sorry! Didn't realize this could happen! I bought a 930 in January and love her tooooo much. If the $275 will have your machine up and running again, spend it! Because $275 can't get you anything like that Bernina in a new machine. I haven't seen a 930 for less than $500 plus shipping, even without accessories. BUT, if you decide not to fix it and want to sell its accessories so as not to be haunted by longing, PM me. I'd happily buy spare parts for mine because she will never die, never, never, never...

I would have it fixed but shop around where to have it fixed. I bought a broken 830 and DH fixed it. We still spend some money on a new foot etc. Parts are pricey but new is often unaffordable.

If you truly love the machine, bite the bullet and repair it. I have a Pfaff at the repair shop right now and the bill will be over $300 but I don't care. I really love thta machine and it is no good to me if it doesn't operate properly and I can't buy a new one, or even another used one like it for that price, so I'm getting it repaired. It's been used hard and no wonder it needs a little help now and then.

I agree I would fix it...

I fried the board on my Pfaff several years ago, fixed it, and it's still going strong. Berninas last forever. Fix it.

Is that the RECORD 930? I have one and love it. I've tried to find another to replace it since it is 30+ years old and starting to wear out, but I can't find anything as good. My dealer said it's the best machine ever made.

You definately should spend the money and repair it. It's a great machine. The $275 fee is for the tech to take the board out of the machine... return the board to Bernina for repair and then replace board and I assume do a tune-up etc. I work for a Bernina Dealer and this is what we have to do with the older machines, as new boards are no longer available.

That's a better explanation for what they're going to do for my "Betsy" than the LQS gave me. Thanks!

I love my 930--in fact love it so much I had the opportunity to buy a second one on an auction and it purrs just like a kitten too. each must have stitched several hundred miles of fabric.

Make sure you only have it serviced by a Bernina service person and I'd only go through a Bernina store.

They are very well made machines and it's worth the expense because you will, no doubt, have many years of great sewing on it once it's fixed.

I would fix it I have 2 Berninas and love them dearly they are a work horse machine but would only trust a Bernina dealer to work on it that is there specialty after all to know your machine inside out.I have mine plugged into a serge protector and when not in use I try to remember to unplug it I had a washing machine circuit board get fried by lightning and it was cheaper for them to give me a whole new machine than cost of repairs and board at that time .It was new technology 35 years ago.

I would most definetly fix it for that price. Good luck with it!

If you already have $700 invested in it I can tell you $275 is nothing when it comes to that machine. Most of Bernina machines are A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT....You may want to fix it and use it as it is a great machine...Was the 25year garentee off of it? I was told that if you use it it would be less even if it is in your friends name? You can try it. who knows. The reason I asked is because if the Lord continues to tarry then my kids will get mine and I wanted it covered and I was told that the number was the inportant thinkg? SO it does not hurt to check???? Good luck

I agreeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

If it is being shipped back to the factory at that price does that include the mother board. Be careful and ask questions if you can't get any answers find another repair shop.

I would get a second opinion, or even go to the Bernina
website, and see if they can give you some advice.

I think I would repair it. That model is a wonderful machine. If that includes shipping both ways and repair, that's not too bad. If you really like the machine, it will be worth it.

I worked for a lady who started her business making buttonholes on her 930. I've been told it was one of the best models ever made.

$275 seems like a lot but you won't get anything nearly as sound for that price. Have you tried asking the person you bought it from to pay for half the repair? Just a thought.

I love my Bernina and so I say have it fixed.

are you located anywhere in the syracuse,NY area?

I would have it fixed. A replacemet will cost more. Remember..."Nothing sews like a Bernina"

If you really like it then it is worth fixing.

I have a friend who bought a Bernina from a friend. Something went wrong and when she contacted Bernina, it was covered under warranty even though she was not the original owner.
Just an idea.

I would fix it, Berninas are great machines. Even with the expense of a new board you couldn't replace it.

My Bernina is 15 yrs old & I pd $1000. for it new. I have not had it serviced nor had a problem(knock on wood). I also love mine. I would pay the amount to have it fixed. A comparable one would run about 3K.

I agree - I would get a second opinion. I have an old Viking - was having problems with the stitching - I was taking a class at Joann Fabric - so I asked the Sewing Company there about repairing it - they told me they could clean it for $90.00 - but becuase it was an old machine they couldn't get pairs anymore for it - But if I wanted to sell it, they would give me $100 for it (that was because I had so many feet) - I looked in the yellow pages found a small repair shop -was cleaned and adjusted for $49 - the older man that owned the shop told me to keep the machine - they didn't make them like that anymore

I bought my 930 fifteen years ago as a backup to my 1530. I paid more than $700. It had problems last year and the repair cost way more $275 from a Bernina dealer.

The 1530 broke down too and went to Bernina in Illinois for repair. As my dealer says, if it's broke, it can be fixed. And so can yours. It happens.
By the way, do you use a surge protector?
IMHO, absolutely, you should get it fixed.

Anita
http://makeitsimpler.blogspot.com

yup in this case i would fix it. Bernina is an expensive machine and a keeper i heard.

I agree! Fix it, you won't regret it!
Blessings,
MaryAnna