Bought the Viking Sapphire 850 just after it came out. Hardly ever get to sew with it though because DD-in-law uses it nearly every day when she stops in to pick up her dogs (I'm the dog sitter) - after she has taught ESOL all day! Also have a Bernina 150 which cost more and has so few stitches compared to the Sapphire. Anyway, I would not bad-mouth either one of them.

I have a Sapphire 875Q - was my first computerized machine - I was scared to death of it - but once I got over that - I love it - I can't imagine using anything else.

Yes. The dealer that I got my 535 from no longer sells Husky. Found that out just this spring. He said that since they were bought out by Singer and they closed the Swedish factory and moved everything to China he's had a very hard time getting parts for the machines. My guy already had Baby Lock so he's looking at picking up either Pfaff or Bernina as his "high end" machines (the store across the street from him sells Janome).

Actually, because of the SVP buyout (do a search here for SVP) many dealerships are NOT carrying Pfaff or Viking anymore. It seems that unless a dealer has an agreement to sell only the one manufacturer, they aren't allowed to sell the machines anymore. My dealership, the largest in N. CA I believe, had their Viking and Pfaffs yanked because they also sell Babylock, Bernina, Janome and others. And yes, the decline in quality of both Viking and Pfaff since the buy out has been discussed at length here (again you can do a search).

I have NEVER heard this. I have been to Viking dealers in at least 4 states asking about machines. The Viking Designer (original Designer with D cards) is over 10 years old, I bought it used and saved $1,000 from new. I have never had any problems...knock on wood. I know some brands, like Singer which always had great reputations, now have their "inner parts" made in China - and not always to the best tolerances.

When some dealer bad mouths a brand, I ask for specifics. I usually get the made in China or nothing at all. Always a good idea to ask. BTW, my Mom just bought a used Viking +1 from 1995 with sewing and embroidery complete package - software that you can modify on a computer, 2 big embroidery hoops, embroidery software (8 packages), tons of feet, etc. for less than $500. and it works great!

I just bought the sapphire 830 and the dealer was very happy I picked the viking. I have another viking,the daisy and i just love sewing on them. I am taking classes to learn how to use it and she has several more in the store for sale. She never said anything about going to babylock but the old singer shop is now selling babylock instead of singer here.

I have a viking sapphire 870 and have had it for about 2 years. I love it and haven't thought about another machine since. The quality is definitely there. I have heard the "bad mouthing" of sapphires all over the net. I personally have not had that experience. I also have a babylock audrey that I use to take to guild meetings. I know this is a portable machine, and I like most of the features, but my goodness is it slow compared to my viking!

I had a singer that I purchased two years ago from QVC, it was $500 and a piece of junk. Never worked right, could not get a good stitch no matter what the tension, and the bobbin was hard to get to. I got rid of it after having it serviced twice in the first year. I Love, love, love my Viking sapphire, I don't think they can be beat. It's a wonderful machine.

love my vikings....................... :thumbup:

Love my older Pfaff, but have been learning my Brother sewing/embrodiery machine, mainly sewing, and am becoming very fond of it.