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Sorry you had that problem. I just sent a Singer Futura 900 (from the '50's) in for service. This guy charges flat rate of $70 and completely cleans and tunes the machine. If he sees there are parts needed and it is going to be over $100, he calls. If he doesn't do the work there is no charge. And......he picks up and delivers for no extra charge. I know he is good becuz a friend of mine who used to work for Singer uses him for her machines.
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One dealer charges $105 and the other $65, so I go to the cheaper one and get the same quality work, thank goodness.
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Originally Posted by Aussie Quilter
Because you are not paying for what they do, you are paying for them knowing HOW to do it.
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Ohhhh wish you were close to me, I have a gentleman who repairs machines for $25.00 and absorbs the small parts. He does not work on the newer electronic machines, but the older ones. He is a gem and will stand behind his work to boot, if it doesn't work properly bring it back.
There has to be someone somewhere who will fix it for less than 180.00 surely. Good luck. |
hi, i'm new here... haven't introduced myself yet, but just wanted to say HI! and also, joann's only carries Singer sewing machines now, except for one White (very) basic beginner's sewing machine. maybe because of the lack of service and parts availability for the White? hhmmm.
ps: i love this message board, have learned so much from all of you! thanx! :-D |
Where I work the standard cleaning, adjustment and oiling is $69 for electronic and $59 for manual machines. We encourage customers to tell us what's the ceiling for repair; it the technician feels he's going to hit that ceiling, he doesn't touch it. We often get machines in that,"my husband, the engineer" repaired, almost beyond repair. Sometimes the parts on older machines are not easily accessible and must be special ordered and shipped. Sometimes the parts are no longer made. Often, as in the case of gears, they should be replaced in pairs, and often if one set of gears has deteriorated, so will the remaining ones in a little while. Sometimes, as Lostin51 pointed out a teardown must take place (very time consuming). I recently had a plumber check for a gas leak in my dryer and fix two sinks that were dripping...$538, and my faucets aren't nearly as expensive as my sewing machine. Could I have done it myself? Possibly, but I could also blow up the house and make a bigger problem and still have to call the plumber. Servicing on anything (cars, appliances,sewing machines) does have a cost. I happily pay our technician for my sewing machine repairs (by the way, my sewing machine is worth 3.5 the value of my dryer.
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I have bernina 830 and paid $89 for a tune-up so thought that was good!
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HOW MUCH IS IT TO WORK ON A COMPUTER?????YR LOOKING AT $85 JUST THE MINIMUM LOL
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i bought a brothers 1250d at xmas, just this month had to take in for repair as i was having trouble threading the machine right for the embroidering. thread bound up inside cost 200. to fix at dealer then another 399.00 for the 3 year maintenance on it. didnt realize they cost so much to fix as i have bought 2 other machines and they never needed repaired, course that was quite a few years back lol. there must be a special way to thread this machine as i got it back and still having a hard time to keep needle threaded. am hoping it doesnt have to go back for tune up for awhile. salsalady
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I guess I am lucky to live where I do. I pay $55 for a general check up on my machines. I try to to take all my machines in every 12 to 18 months. I keep them clean as I can, but I paided alot for them and want to keep them running as efficently as possible. I called yesterday to find out what a maintance check would me on my HQ16 and it's $179. I will willingly pay that and I have to take it to him.
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The spring came from the bobbin area. I am thinking I can't hurt it, I will try to fix it. There is no harm in trying. I really love this machine. My husband is tried of hearing me talk about it. He says just get a new one. For some reason, I can't stop thinking about this singer. I look at new one's and it is not the same. There is a lot of good memories with my singer.
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Seems to me now days a lot of people try to get as money out of everone they can get it out of. Greed comes to mind.
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I would try to get a second opinion. I know from past experiences that it does cost a lot to get them repaired and a lot of time to get them back after you bring one in. Maby we should all learn how to repair machines.
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My sewing repair man works out of his garage. He charges about $65 no matter what is wrong. I guess if a really expensive part were required he'd have to charge for that. But so far I haven't needed that so far. I've used him for 5yrs or more.
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Last time I had my Viking in repair, the man bent my plate trying to get inside. First time picked up the machine only sewed backwards. Then the plate. I went 45 miles to a dealer and am satisfied. Paid 65.00 for the repair. Couldn't order the plate as that was too expensive at the time. You really have to be careful about repair on anything.
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If you live in central missouri there is a fellow in Bennet Springs who works on older Singer and he is reasonalble too.
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When I moved and had to have repairs, I asked the LQS who to take it to for service. I don't trust just anyone with my machine (Janome). They recommended a man at another quilt shop, they said he was good, honest, and reasonable. I was very happy with him. Now I have found the man who sold me my machine and even though he is about 80+ miles away, I will go to him. I know that he is honest and the prices have always been fair.
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I had a service man in Plattsburgh who charge $25.00 per machine. I called him once to fix my old Bernina and he had to come 3 times and get extra parts and never charged me a penny more. Of course, here in NYC not so lucky. I did bring my Artista 630 for service and paid $65.00 flat. It would have been extra if there were parts involved, but luckily there wasn't.
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When my DH purchased me a Kenmore machine 5 years ago, he also purchased the extended warranty with it. Had a problem a few years ago with it, took it to Sears, had it repaired and paid nothing. I take the machine in every 8 months or so to have it cleaned and serviced We have extended the service plan since i received the machine and it is worth the price. when the warranty is up this time around, I will check into new machines, but I want a machine that has a warranty/and extended warranty with it, and a place nearby that will actually service it. I don't want a machine that I have to pay postage to ship and wait to receive it back.
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Originally Posted by Aussie Quilter
Because you are not paying for what they do, you are paying for them knowing HOW to do it.
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Where does one go to learn how to repair a sewing machine? You can buy a book to teach you how to build your own computer and TV and almost any thing else, but not to learn how to fix a sewing machine.
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if it is an older mechanical machine I would attempt to fix it myself.I would go on the internet and google how to fix the bobbin spring in whatever the model # is and then search for repair diagram and try to figure it out. If computerized, I wouldn't attempt that. ???
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UM OUCH! Here in Kansas I have my machine serviced for around 50.00. Never had a spring go bad yet so I can't say how much that would cost. Anything over a hundred is WAY too much.
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I just had my Brothers CS8072 in the shop. The feed dogs weren't working, the needle threader also. The repairman fixed both of those, and unknown to me the needle area was too low. He also adjusted the bobbin winder to fill the bobbin more fully. $99 and it now works like a charm. He said soon my machine would have had timing problems. I know what caused it. I had a straight stitch foot on and tried to sew a zig-zag stitch so the machine stuttered until I got it turned off. Did this several times over 4 years. Any repairman has to make enough to live(and I hope as well as I do) and to have a shop. If we don't pay repairmen enough, soon we won't have any and will have to buy new stuff all the time.
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I brought a perfectly good sewing machine in to be cleaned and the guy who "fixed" it, fixed it alright! He broke off knobs, tore a belt then blamed my husband! I told him that the machine only needed to be cleaned and that is all that I wanted him to do not brake it! I ended up paying him $75 for a machine that didn't work.
A great sale came along and I bought a better sewing machine, and had my other one fixed by a different person. I told this lady what this guy had done to the machine, and only charged me $65 to fix the machine to NEW! I now have 2 working machines, and will NEVER have this guy fix either of my machine ever again. I tell all my friends and anyone who needs a machine worked on! TreeFrog |
Originally Posted by 3TreeFrog
I brought a perfectly good sewing machine in to be cleaned and the guy who "fixed" it, fixed it alright! He broke off knobs, tore a belt then blamed my husband! I told him that the machine only needed to be cleaned and that is all that I wanted him to do not brake it! I ended up paying him $75 for a machine that didn't work.
A great sale came along and I bought a better sewing machine, and had my other one fixed by a different person. I told this lady what this guy had done to the machine, and only charged me $65 to fix the machine to NEW! I now have 2 working machines, and will NEVER have this guy fix either of my machi fine ever again. I tell all my friends and anyone who needs a machine worked on! TreeFrog |
And you'll have plumbers who can't fix the toilet, carpenters who can't miter an edge and auto mechanics who can never find that funny sound your car makes. So we just have to patronize the ones who do a good job, and pay them enough to make a living for themselves. Seriously, do you think a doctor who sews up the gash on your child's head is only going to charge you for 6" worth of sutures??? So pay a GOOD sewing machine mechanic decently for his expertise![/quote]
Yes I agree with what you are saying, however (not you or anyone on this board) do not sit there and say I know all about this and that, and break what was brought to you then have the nerve to blame SOMEONE ELSE! I am not cheap! I have always said, you get what you pay for! When I wanted was a cleaning, and I got a damaged machine in return. What price should I have paid then? Double, and given him a tip? Word or mouth makes and breaks a business, and that is what is needed. Why would I hire the same guy who fixed your leaky roof if your roof still leaks? Would you not warn someone? On the same hand, I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND the same lady who DID end up fixing my machine, and I will continue to frequent her store. I have since found that I am not the only person that he has done this to, he is just not a nice person! TreeFrog |
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
My guess would be because repairmen don't live on air and have bills to pay. They have building rent and utilities to pay plus since it's their only job they also have homes and cars and such to pay for. Life ain't cheap.
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My husband fixes my machines. Much cheaper
Judy in Ohio |
There are several online groups that talk about sewing machine repair. One is Shadetree Mechanics. There is a Vintage sewing machine group, and several devoted to specific brands. I've learned a lot by just lurking about fixing my machines and maintaining them. Check the list of Yahoo Groups.
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Originally Posted by quilterguy27
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
My guess would be because repairmen don't live on air and have bills to pay. They have building rent and utilities to pay plus since it's their only job they also have homes and cars and such to pay for. Life ain't cheap.
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Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by quilterguy27
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
My guess would be because repairmen don't live on air and have bills to pay. They have building rent and utilities to pay plus since it's their only job they also have homes and cars and such to pay for. Life ain't cheap.
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I would get a few estamints. that sounds really high for a spring. you can probley buy a whole new bobbin replacement for less. God bless.
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Originally Posted by Lostn51
Here is another way to look at it........
When someone wants to commission you to make a quilt for them and you give them a reasonable price for handcrafting them a nice full size quilt. They look at you like your nuts because they could go to Cracker Barrel or BB&B and buy a quilt in a bag for 1/3 of what you just quoted them. Your not going to give your work away and your not going to give them the materials at your cost. Your going to mark the price of materials up 10% and charge a fair amount for your labor. Why should the guy repairing your sewing machine do it for free and charge half price for parts. You are paying for someones knowledge and expertise in that field just like you would for an auto mechanic, Dentist, Doctor, etc.. Like I stated earlier I service vintage machines and I charge a very fair price and the work that I do to them is over and beyond the call of duty compared to other sewing machine repair shops. They blow out the dust, oil it up and put on what ever part it needs and there you have it. I tear them down to nothing more than just a case and start back from there. Kerosene Spa treatments are a standard with me. As I put them back together I am cleaning and polishing every single part on the machine. I set the tension with a gauge top and bottom, and always include a piece of broadcloth with the stitching under the feed dogs to show you that it has been tested and runs like it should. And they never leave my bench without a good final polish!! :-D :-D Billy |
Well you can do what everyone else does, and mail them to me! I am sitting here in my Sunroom and I am looking at 4 boxes with machines in each one of them waiting for me to take them out and play with them.
That was just yesterdays mail....... :lol: :lol: :lol: All but one are repaints so I dont know if they really count. I try to go out of my way and give the service that I would expect. I can not stand for anything to be done halfway, and if I do it I want it done right. If there are any parts involved I always let the people know and give them options. I do not rob from one machine to put on the next like 3/4's of the places do, and I have one heck of a stock pile of new parts for the vintage machines! Oh and Doug I am thinking if you cloned me we would be in for a world of trouble. This planet can only handle one of me.... Billy |
My husband took four hours just to put up six curtain brackets. First, he had to find a stud then he decided he needed his drill. Then, wanted me to tell him he was holding the drill straight. I will never ask him to do anything around the house again. I wish I had a husband who could fix things. You are so lucky if your husband can fix things.
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Thank you so much for that information about the group who fix sewing machines!
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"Oh and Doug I am thinking if you cloned me we would be in for a world of trouble. This planet can only handle one of me....
Billy" LOL Billy! It would be kinda funny to see a bunch of you in every state waving your "permits" around yelling "... and I'm not afraid to use it!" I'm getting a visual and chuckling. You can all march on Washington together for a cause, LOL. Now we're talking trouble. He He He. I know the feeling tho. I can't imagine this world with another one of me in it. |
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Well you can do what everyone else does, and mail them to me! I am sitting here in my Sunroom and I am looking at 4 boxes with machines in each one of them waiting for me to take them out and play with them.
That was just yesterdays mail....... :lol: :lol: :lol: All but one are repaints so I dont know if they really count. I try to go out of my way and give the service that I would expect. I can not stand for anything to be done halfway, and if I do it I want it done right. If there are any parts involved I always let the people know and give them options. I do not rob from one machine to put on the next like 3/4's of the places do, and I have one heck of a stock pile of new parts for the vintage machines! Oh and Doug I am thinking if you cloned me we would be in for a world of trouble. This planet can only handle one of me.... Billy |
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Go look at the newest issue of Quilter's Home!! There's a candy apple red featherweight on the cover! Pretty, pretty!
I checked with House of Kolor on some Candy paint to shoot a Featherweight with yesterday and just the materials to paint the machine were going to set me back $275. I went ahead and ordered the Candy Purple for the bike I sold and it was just a tad over $1100. And all I am painting is the gas tank, oil tank and a rear fender. Billy |
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