Sorry, this is wordy.... I bought my Bernina 10 years ago from a local dealer. I hadn't used the machine much until a year ago when I started quilting. I have now come to the place where I wanted a "walking foot", $150 at the dealer. 2 weeks ago I bought one. I find out yesterday that in amongst all the gadgets with my machine, I already have one. Today I took the foot I bought back to the dealer. They will not give me my money back. They gave me some kind of script in $25 increments to spend only at their store and can be used only on full price items. At first, they said that I could only use the script for 1/2 of any purchase at which point I said, "Boy, this just keeps getting better, doesn't it?" They brought the owner out who agreed with the clerk but added that the clerk was incorrect about using it for only 1/2 of any purchases. She also added that it states the policy on the bottom of the sales slip... Quote- "If something is wrong, we will make it right by repairing or replacing the item. All Deposits on machines or special orders are not refundable". Where does it state that if they take my money, I won't get it back? Keep in mind that you only get the receipt with this printed on it after they have your hard earned money. There, there.... I think I feel better now and thank you for letting me blow..... AND>>>> the script is not good on servicing or classes.... I still think I might cry...

sorry to hear this happened to you

do they have any other attachments for your machine that you can buy or maybe an extension table

that is so terrible

Oh, I feel for you!
In the first place 150.00 is a total rip-off!! I bought one from my dealer for less than 50.00 brand-new.
And if I had 2 of something they would give me my money back!
Shame on them :(

I would start by asking how you were to know about the policy before purchase. Secondly I would ask for the refund once again and then if she doesn't refund, I would kindly hand her a prepared letter that I had written prior to my visit that is addressed to the attorney general of the state and let her know that that is her copy and you'll be stopping at the post office on the way home. We wrote the attorney generalof our state and the AG sent a letter on our behalf and the company was willing to then do the right thing.

That's why I like my Pfaff!

I think that they do this because they have already ordered a replacement for their inventory. I hope that you can spend it on something else special since you had already set aside the money.

Yikes! $150 for a walking foot seems awfully expensive. I'm sorry you weren't able to get a refund on your purchase, but at least they gave you store credit. If you don't want the store credit, you might be able to sell your extra foot on eBay. Just a thought.

I wouldn't be happy about that, how much protection does OR offer the consumer with bought goods. Might spend whats left but make sure they understand that will be the last sale to you!! If not returnable because its a special order. Sad part is will probibly be resold as used. Not sure if I'd want them to service any item if it were available. Hopefully they have somthing good you can use. Good Luck

Next time check on e-bay. I would be re-thinking going back to that dealers.
Goes to show we need to be more careful of whats in our sewing rooms.

I wouldn't do any more business with that shop. Also I'd tell everyone I know about this transaction.

Check to see if someone you know needs something from dealer, that person sould use the coupons and give you the cash. Its worth a try.
I would hope the dealer would want you to be happy and give you a refund.
Dealers wonder why customer don't return.

$150 for a Bernina walking foot is the normal price.

The truth is, many sewing machine dealerships will not take returns (and don't even like to do exchanges). I worked in one for awhile, and it was like the one you are describing. What I hated to see were the adults coming in to buy a machine for their Mom for Christmas; if the Mom didn't like that particular machine, it was a problem returning it. If the box wasn't opened, they would exchange for another machine (*never* any refund for a machine!). If the box was open, though, they didn't want to take it back at all (but would take it as a trade-in on a more expensive machine).

I'm not sure why dealerships are set up like this. I do know that it's a pretty marginal business. I have seen a lot of dealerships around here go out of business, but the one I worked at for that short time is still in business.

Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, I purchased a walking foot for my Bernina (and it was close to $150 even years ago), used it for only a few days, and then accidentally caught a pin on it that I didn't see (this was in the days when I pinned my quilts instead of spray basting). It ruined the spring in the foot. My dh said he could repair it if he could get a replacement spring, but the dealership said it was impossible to order the part. I finally bought another walking foot to replace the broken one, but I waited about a year and purchased it from a different place. (The original was one that did go out of business.)

Ok, I understand about a deposit being non-refundable. What I don't understand is an item like a walking foot, which as far as I know would not be a special order item, not being returnable, as it is not something that they are going to have a hard time selling.

If it were a custom item that would be different, but you just got a normal item that is part of their regular inventory, right?

Sounds like poor repeat business practices to me. I'd take a copy of our comments the next time you're are near the store to let them know how we feel as a community against poor business issues :)

Poor business practices.

Can you buy a free motion foot? Or quarter inch foot? Or other toy for the machine? And if you still have the 2nd walking foot, maybe you could sell it. You'll probably still take a loss, but it's better than not getting anything (or getting silly scripts)

Prism, how could I get my walking foot for less than 50.00??
It's a Bernina dealership where I bought my machine. That's 1/3 the price??
Wow!

Did they "special order" the foot? If not, and they still won't give you your money back, maybe you should go see the Better Business Bureau and see if they can get it resolved. If they can't then I would write to Bernina headquarters and see if something can be done. If not, then after using up your "script" I would tell them I am through being a customer with them and you will tell all your friends about their "customer service". My opinion.

Me too! And I would inform them that next time you will name the store!!!

Hmmm..... I wonder if they've come down in price? Or if there is more than one kind of Bernina walking foot (my machine is an older 1230)? Or if some local dealerships just overcharge?

Or, heaven forbid, my memory is failing me. Again!

I did a quick Google after your post and prices seem to range from about $50 to $100 online ($100 at Clotilde's for one that fits my 1230).

Edit: According to the following website, the "Bernina branded" walking foot retails for $160. Does your walking foot have Bernina on the side of it? (Mine does.) Apparently there are Bernina walking feet available that are exactly the same but are not branded and sell for half as much.
http://www.thecolorfulworldofsewing....new-style.aspx

I know how you feel, I was in the same situation with our store. They wouldn't give me my money back on a machine that was defective. They agreed that it was bad and wanted to give me another one. LOL

Maybe you can get a lifetime supply of needles, scissors, rotary blades, etc...Contact the BBB.

that is so short sighted of them. you'll end up using the script and then never shopping there again.

Is it a Bernina policy? My dealer has a sign that says, approximately, "no returns or exchanges on machines or accessories." I'm not saying it's right, just wondering if the machine company has something to do with it.

No, the foot was not special ordered, it is something they keep in stock. This is the same dealer where I bought both this machine and my serger 10 years ago and I just had my machine serviced a month ago. I may end up having to buy alot of extra feet and/or bobbins to use up that $150. Thank you all for commiserating with me. I will still check with the BBB about their shady business practices.

Hmmmm....Maybe you should hang on to that foot if they break so easily? The money is already spent so maybe it would be good to have a back up.

The suggestions to contact the Better Business Bureau is good advice. Another possibility is to contact your state's Attorney General's office. I live in Missouri and contacted the AG about a problem I had with Olan Mills, a photography business. A letter from the AG brought out some honesty in Olan Mills very quickly. (The Attorney General's office investigates fraudulent business practices. On one of the People's Court type programs, a judge stated that under most circumstances, it's illegal for a business to refuse to give a refund to a customer.)

A few years ago a guild member died unexpectedly and she had just bought a brand new Bernina. It was still in the box. Her husband took the machine back to the dealer and the dealer would not give a refund. Said it was against policy. The husband had no use for a machine store credit. I will buy a machine from Walmart once a year before I'd ever buy anything from that Bernina dealer. Everyone in guild stopped shopping there too. The dealership and combined quilt store is not doing good in sales. He should have given the money back to the guild member. Who does he think shops at his store?

Serves him right. The husband is already grieving and then he treats him this way. He should have made an exception for this circumstance. In my Opinion!!!

If I were you I would contact Bernina and let them know who you were treated by the dealer and your situation about finding one amoung your attachments after purchasing the one you wanted to return........... I too think the $150.00 price is way to high.... and let the company know how much you had to pay for the walking foot.
Never hurts to try going direct to the top.

I agre with going to the BBB and the AG! Also i would once again ask for your money back not these "scripts". If they still refuse politely tell them you will have a chat with your local News station that does a " On your side" type of story. The news channels love those kinda stories. Im sure the store doesnt want to be on tv under attack. If there isnt a sign stating no refunds then it doesnt matter what reciept says after the fact! I wish you the best but im sure they have lost your business and any word of mouth you will be giving.

Had you used it before you brought it back?

let me be honest and clear. in your shoes i would also be very unhappy. however, it's important and fair to keep in mind that no merchant is obligated to "make good" when a customer has only changed their mind. the policy is unpleasant for the customer but is not illegal or unethical.

if you decide to write letters to the company and to consumer protection agencies, please keep in mind that you don't have grounds to accuse the dealer of anything except their failure to make the return policy clear before you had handed over the money.

if i understand correctly, you've already returned the foot and taken the scripts. yes? use them to purchase things for yourself that you consider treats. things you would normally only have looked at wistfully but passed by in favor of more practical purchases. you'll still have spent money you later discovered you didn't need to spend but will have something fun in your collection to take away some of the sting.

I bought my Bernina about 10 years ago also and had to buy the walking foot seperate. If I remember right it was $98. I think most of the dealers don't refund money but if you are a good customer they should. Otherwise use the store credit for some other new feet. Bernina has some really great ones.

How frustrating. On the other hand their are unfortunately people out there that come in to buy a foot use it for the purpose they need then want to return it. I can understand both sides.

Exactly why I wouldn't have a Bernina. They think everything they sell is Golden. Our local dealer recently dropped them because customers were sick of there s**t. She says they are no better than any other top of the line machine. Glad I have a Pfaff and the Walking Foot is always right there. LOL!

In the business world it is very unethical to not tell a customer ahead of time, especially on something so specialized as this, what the return/not return policy is. This business is, most likely, under strict guidelines from Bernina. Bernina maybe should be contacted and asked about it and have THEM make it right - and at the same time let the owner of the store know what is going on... his/her hands may, again, be tied in this case.

No, the foot had not been used and only purchased 2 weeks before. I opened the box, read the directions and set it aside because I wasn't ready to try and use it yet. Then while organizing my sewing space, I found the software and walking foot that came with the machine. Since I didn't need 2, I had no choice and returned the foot yesterday and accepted the script credit. But not without alot of heartburn....

Thank you for suggesting it, I will contact Bernina and see what their thoughts are on the subject.

like everyone else, i sympathize. however, that's a purely emotional thing.

in fact the shop is not at fault here. nohow, noway, no ifs-ands-or-buts.

certainly, it's a highly desirable customer service courtesy to post return policy signs where customers can see them before handing over the money, but they don't have to.

the shop owner is not responsible for searching your accessory collection before selling you a foot.

the box was opened, so she'll have to resell it at a discount.

the merchant met you as close to halfway as possible.

you may not have gotten what you want, but you will not end up emptyhanded.

again ... not the shop owner's fault.

case closed.