What would you do re machine repair?
 

My 4 year old Viking Emerald 118 recently stopped working...no power no sound nada. I paid less than $400 and it has served me quite well as a work horse- piecing and quilting everything from coasters to a king size quilt and everything in between.
I dropped it off to have it repaired - just to have someone look at it will cost $129. Now waiting to hear what is wrong and the price to repair. If this was your machine what would be you max price for repairs knowing that you already need to pay $129 before buying another machine? i appreciate hearing your advice. Thank-you!

Does that $129 go towards any repair or maintenance? Or is everything else an additional charge?

The $129 is just to look and diagnosis what is needed to make it work.

Some places will say it's a $129 diagnostic charge, but if you then have it serviced with them, they'll apply the $129 toward the repair. If that's not the case with your machine, and it were me, if I had the money for a new machine, I'd see what kind of deal I could get & ask if they'd give you a discount on your "trade-in" even though it's only good for parts.

You don't say if you took it for repairs to a store that sells new machines, but when I did that with a garage sale purchase, and found out that the motor was shot and none available to replace it other than another 35yr old motor that would be no guarantee,they offered to keep the machine and not charge the diagnostic charge because they could use the machine for parts. So while I was out the purchase price, I didn't have to pay anything to the repair shop. You might suggest that if the verdict is unsatisfactory.

Back to the original question posed another way: what would be the total amount you would pay to have a $400 machine repaired before buying a new machine?

That is a very hard question to ask. You didn't pay that much for the machine. I bought my Bernina 1530 new from an open box and have had no problems with it besides maintenance. I love my baby and I would probably pay up to it's value depending on what was wrong with the machine. My friend had Bernina which need the computer board rebuilt on her 1230 six months ago and that was only a couple of hundred dollars.

Personally, I would not pay more than 25% of replacement cost. In other words, if I could replace the machine for $400 I wouldn't pay more than $100. If it was going to cost me $1000, to replace, then I wouldn't pay more than $250 for repairs.

I recently purchased a used embroidery machine for $250, including a bunch of software, hoops, etc, etc, etc. And immediately had to have it repaired. A comparable used machine would have cost me to purchase around $2000, so forking out another $250 for repairs was a no brainer.

To me $400 works out at $100 per year $2 a week if you've used it every week I would say machine owes you nothing, if it can be fixed for the $129 I would pay it but keep it as a backup machine and start looking for a new one. That's if you can afford to do that. If you can't afford another it's up to you to decide how much you pay to repair.

Thank-you for your response. Yes indeed it has been a work horse and used quite a bit. For the first 6 months of its purchase, when I was out of work, I used it on average 10 hours a day. For the past 3 years since then , I have been working 60 hours a week so I found myself using it about an hour a day each morning in the wee hours and about 8 hours on the weekend. I have gotten my monies worth out of it.
A new and different machine will be plan B if plan A turns out to be anymore than $150 total repair price. I have been thinking about the new jazz and possibly a small grace frame .

If the machine only cost me $400 to begin with, I probably wouldn't even pay the $129 to service it but would have looked at another machine right away if I could afford to. I had a machine I paid about $400 and I didn't service it since the service was $100. I used it until it didn't work any longer which was a lot of use! I cleaned and oiled it myself. But if it's a machine you really love and has sentimental value, it's harder to place a monetary value on it.

If I paid $400, and the look see was quoted at $129 without fixing, I would have taken it home.....you would be better to apply that towards a new machine, since you have really gotten your value out of your machine over the years...I would call them and ask them to not do the check up...if they haven't done so..tell them you are looking for a new machine.

Is there another repait person anywhere near? If so, compare prices and see if they would be less expensive.

It sounds like what happened to me - my motherboard had to be replaced. It cost me, at the time, $85 to look at it and $120 for the new board. Looked at my warrenty and the board had a 5 year warrenty. I had owned the machine for 4 years and 11 month, so they replaced it free. Check your warrenty!

How much do you love it? Do you have a large investment in accessories like feet or a trolley case? I would probably look for another repair person. If they won't even take 5 minutes to give you an estimate for free, I would not be happy. If a major part has gone bad and it is not covered by your warranty, it could cost more than what you paid. If it is something minor, it could cost less than $150.

Look at other machines in that price range, do they have what you like about your machine? I am such a creature of habit, I make friends with my machine and have a comfort level with her. I would pay to repair her and then start looking for another machine of her equal abillity or higher. I would budget for what I really wanted and keep this one, too!

I am not always that practical when it comes to finances. So if I loved the machine and its features, I might well make an irrational decision and have it repaired. Usually the repair shop will tell you when it is not worth it (sometimes even when the customer would rather have it repaired anyway). Maybe it will not be that bad to have it fixed.

You could have it fixed and keep as a backup machine.

I would see how much more the cost of a repair would be and how much you really enjoy working on it. If you're ready to move on then do.

Sounds like you've just about talked yourself into buying a new machine. As much as you sew, and you've clearly driven this one into ground with pleasure, I'd say go look for a new one. I think $129 is ridiculous for a mere diagnosis. My repair guy charges 20, and will credit it toward the repair. The heart of your machine has stopped beating.

If the motor were still strong, I'd pay up to 100 total to repair a $400 machine. I am with notmorecraft on the cost breakdown for using it. $2 a week plus a boatload of enjoyment. I would go shopping if it were me.

My Pfaff dealer charges $100 for routine servicing, 6 weeks turn around time. I'm so happy I have more than 1 machine.

Wow! I never thought of it that way. That means my 18 year old expensive Bernina was only $250/yr so far. I wonder if I can use that to convince myself to buy a new one :D

To respond to your question, I would look at it the same way I look at car repairs. If the cost to repair equals more than 50% of it's current value, I'd try to replace it. I couldn't find any information about pricing in US for your machine, so I'd go with standard depreciation rate for sewing machines which is 5%/year. That would make it worth $320 if it were fully functional. So, I would spend no more than $160 total (inspection & repair) on it unless I simply didn't have the additional $160+ to get a new machine.

If you do upgrade to a new machine (or new-to-you machine), see if they won't still give you something for trade-in value of your current machine. Even though it doesn't run, the parts are still worth something.

Not sure where you are in So. Cal. but there are a few good Viking/Husqvrna dealers. The one I go to is fantastic, his prices are good and has the machines back in 24 hours. I would call and tell the repairman and ask for a guesstimate. Do the machine have fuses? For it to suddenly stop working it sounds like a loose wire. Do you move the machine a lot or does it sit in one place?

Thinking about the most I would spend to repair would depend on what I would pay to replace it. If you are willing to buy another machine for $400.00 then I would more than likely pay up to $200.00 to repair the one I have. But if it were going to cost me $1000.00 to replace it then I would probably pay up to $400.00. But knowing my DH, he would tell me to buy a new machine now, then later have the other machine repaired as a back up.

well, funny thing, a very reputable sewing shop is having a Technology Party tomorrow morning in So Cal. To show off new Babylocks. An hour away from me- guess whose going! Lol haven't heard back from the repair guy. The more I think about it and the amount of time I have used the Enmerald, I think I can justify a higher end machine without embroidery. Already have the Horizon 12000 that I use just for embroidery. Don't really like piecing with it. Don't ask me why but I just find the feel different than with the Emerald. Time to test out different machines.

Be sure to let us know the outcome.

I have such a hard time reading posts like this. If we can't fix a machine, we would never expect a customer to pay. And we only charge $70 for a full service. It takes about 10 minutes to figure out if it's the circuit board. The only technician who can replace your circuit board is an authorized Viking dealer. The rest of us can't get the part. Definitely check your warranty. Bernina circuit boards are warrantied for 5 years, Juki has a 2 year warranty. But I don't know about the other brands.

If I paid $400 for the machine 4 years ago and it would cost $129 just to get a diagnosis and that price not to go towards the repair and the repair comes to even $100 I would say buy another machine if I could afford it.

This is very true. I think the only thing you are missing is the replacement cost. How much will it cost to replace the machine with a comparable machine? I have an 18 year old Bernina. It was top of the line when I bought it. With the new top of the line Bernina's costing $12,000, I can do a lot of repairs on my old one and still be okay with it.

Emerald 118 is a mechanical machine, and a workhorse -- known for durability. Perhaps you have worn it out. If you are ready to upgrade to a computerized machine, this would be the time. That said, if you can find a shop which would diagnose the problem and repair for a decent amount, it would make a fine back up machine...

Update:
finally received the machine back after 12 days. Total cost $129. The repair guy said he couldn't find anything wring with it. He cleaned, oiled, and checked all the inner workings. So that's a good thing. I will keep this as my backup as I recently traded my backup New Home Memory Craft 8000 (straight stitch only worked and computer screen gone) towards a Babylock Jazz. I had received a deal that I could not pass up. I appreciate everyon's advice that helped me make a decision.