I don't know if there is a really great machine any more. I did a lot of searching last year and found that since so many are not made in the Country of origin any more that quality has suffered a great deal. I have an Viking that is about 6-7 years old and I am hoping it will out live me so I don't have to try and adjust to a lesser quality machine.

thanks for sharing the article

That article was fantastic and very long. It made me feel good because I am a Bernina owner and promoter. I fell in love with them when I worked for about a year in a Bernina Dealer's shop that made their daily bread by doing custom dressmaking and alterations. After working daily on a Bernina I just had to have one or 4. The only other brand machines I own are a Brother embroidery machine in addition to my Bernina embroidery machine. Actually the Bernina one was made with a Brother patent. Since I have almost worn out my Bernina Embroidery machine the only other machine I could get that would use the same software etc. was a brother. I also have a Singer Featherweight as my mother had one and she taught me to sew. I purchased the one I presently have at a yard sale. It was obvious that the persons doing the selling didn't have a clue what they were getting rid of. I only paid $20. There had been a death in the family and some of the relatives were cleaning out the house. After turning over the money I ran to my car with my prize. I gave my mother's featherweight, purchased in 1936, to my neices as she had taught them to sew on it. It was well used and well past it's prime.

This is why I have my three trusty Featherweights and my ancient Bernina.

I read this all the way through but I do have my doubts to all the information contained within simply because I guess I am one that likes to see links to substantiate what is being said.....in other words.....sources. I guess when I do decide to buy a new machine I'll still do my own due dilligence.

I own all vintage Singers and actually bought a Janome from Joann's in San Antonio, Texas for my daughter. Brought it back to her home and set it up for her and to my surprise it sewed like a dream and all for $149.00 so I feel the analogy of $1000 for a decent machine is, in my opinion, malarky!:D

My Viking D1 is 13 years old and have never been "repaired" just serviced with updates a few times. It has never given me a problem and I just hope it never does. I do have a problem with the bobbin winder now not wanting to work all the time and guess if it continues guess I'll check on repair cost. I went to my local Viking dealer and asked the price of a good used D1 and he said about $1000. I couldn't believe it but I'm sure the markup is great as he gets these in as trade ins.

I guess this is why the "vintage" machines prices are getting higher and higher... I sure wish we could make a machine in the United States!

Hardly anybody will take used machines on trade anymore. They can't sell them for much, and anyone they sell the used machine to would have been a candidate to have bought a new machine at a higher profit margin.

And if anyone complains about the profit margin of a sewing machine dealer, consider that your restaurant food costs only about 25-33% of your price. I don't hear anyone complaining horridly about the profit of restaurants though. Buildings, staff, utilities, all the "free" classes, training for staff - there are lots of costs that are not always obvious.

Pam

I wasn't complaining about the profit margin of the dealer. My complaint was that anyone that has looked into buying a 7700 knows the going rate is about $2500. My problem was that they wanted to sell me JUST the machine. There are accessories that come with this machine that at other dealers are included in the $2500.

As for restaurants, you are paying for the convenience of someone else shopping, preparing, serving, and clean up. With the massive amounts of restaurants concentrated in areas, you have a choice as to where you will spend your money. Sewing machine dealers do not even compare to restaurants. I would compare them more to a car dealership but even then, there are many car dealers in a concentrated area.

WOW. My head is still spinning from reading that article. I have a Bernina and I do love it. I drive past the local dealer on my way to the dealer that I purchased it from 30 minutes away. Why? Because my dealer is nice and helpful. When I take my machine into the shop for servicing I've never had to wait more than 2-3 days to get it back. The local dealer - well let's just say a friend of mine had her machine in the shop for over a month because she 'didn't have an appointment' when her machine quit working! I'm all about the service.