Would you fix or buy another?
 

My Bernina Activa 240, that I bought new in 2006, decided to stop working. I took it to my LQS who has Bernina, Janome, Pfaff and Juki and was told it needs a new board which will cost $279, with the inspection and service it will be $379. I think that is high and I am not sure if it is worth it or not. I have a call in to the store manager but she is gone until Friday afternoon. Luckily I have a small Janome to use as a backup which does fine for piecing but I will not quilt on it. Does any one have an idea if it is worth fixing?

How much would it cost to buy a mchine as good as or better?

How well did you like using it?

Knowing what the 240 cost new, and what you would have to pay for a new machine if you stuck with Bernina, I think the repair cost is worth it. But, it does depend upon how much you want to keep sewing on that model. Kind of worries me to hear it, I have the 220 that I purchased in 2009, but I have not used it that much because I don't have a lot of time to sew except during the summers.

My rule of thumb is, does the fix cost more than buying an equivalent? If so, I have struggles paying more for the fix.

For example: I have a Pfaff Hobby that they said service and fixing the timing would cost 400$. Ummmm Hello that was more than I paid for it twice over! So it became a door stop for a bit, then it found a home with a woman who wanted a machine who's hubby was a tinkerer. She is thrilled and he is able to maintain it for her.

I second everything the others have written! And knowing what Berninas cost, if you liked the machine before it developed problems, I'm confident it's worth fixing.

I had to put a new S-Print (computer) in mine last year. I have a 630. It cost me $500. But my machine would cost me $5,000 to replace. Now I need a new computer screen, which they have not had available to even install it and that will run me around $400 ish. But it's still much less than a new machine.

I would think it would cast alot more to replace it than to have it repaired.

Do you like it? If so, then fix. If you don't, maybe it's time to shop for a new machine.

Is it worth it to you?

I have just been talking to my Bernina Tech (Son) and he has suggested if you haven't turned
on the machine for awhile you turn it on and just let it sit for a hour or so on. There is a jelly in the board that can go a little on solid side , can also happen in the cold you have to warm the jell up again and your machine will work again , it is something they have recovered happens with that model machine . Worth a try , Cathy

These machines are computers. I agree, if you like your machine, go for the fix unless you want a newer machine with newer features that you don't currently have. I assume that you sew a lot. We give these machines a workout. Might be Worth the fix.

Though I just upgraded my Janome purchased in 2005-06 for a newer model with desired features. It is 2014. The machines evolve.

Sandy

Thank you for all your replies! Everyone affirmed what I think I already knew I should do. I love my Bernina and Yes a new machine would be great with a few of those extras I dream about but is it worth spending over $2000 rather than $400 at this time? Probably not. At least if I fix it I can use it as a trade if I chose to upgrade at a later date.

Cathyre I did turn it on and left it on for most of a day as I kept trying to get it to work. It would not let me use the memory function so I thought it was me and that I forgot how to use that function, it would sew straight stitches (not perfect) but would not do other stitches correctly.

Thank you all again, I really love my daily visits to this site for all the information, encouragement and help that is offered. I have learned so much just reading the posts.

Your son is a Bernina Tech? You obviously raised him well! :thumbup:

Does he make house calls?? I have been wanting to take my Bernina in for basic servicing but being disable with a walker, it is going to be very hard to get it onto the bus and take it to the dealership !! It is running OK but I always had my car serviced and I believe it is important to treat our sewing machine with the same respect. I LOVE my Bernina 1530 !!

Reading posts like these makes me appreciate my mechanical machine even more. It may not have all the features of the newer machines but I don't have to worry about mother boards, screens, timing etc.

The same thing happened to my Brother 8500. They said they had to replace the mother board and it would cost $500. Needless to say I junked it

The new computer machines have parts that can't last years. If you buy one thinking it will last you a lifetime, think again.

My rule of thumb is; if it repair costs are close to the replacement price, buy new...unless there I have an attachment to the equipment (it was a gift , an inheritance, etc).

If you have another sewing machine service anywhere near you, please take it for a second opinion. Sewing machine mechanics, like doctors, can be wrong. For that much money I would seek another bid.

I have had your situation. Several years ago I had to replace the mother board in my Bernina 1130. It was a good choice because I really liked the machine and it is a real workhorse. The machine is now 29 years old and still works perfectly. I also had to replace another computer board at some point but I knew it was worth it. To replace the machine with one having the same capabilities would have cost several thousand dollars. If you were to replace your machine you would probably have to replace some or most of the attachments you use to quilt with. Even if you buy the same brand the attachments you have will not fit your new machine. It is called planned obsolescence. Be sure that you count all of the costs before deciding what to do. I would also recommend that you take it to a Bernina dealer and technician rather than just a sewing machine store that deals with several brands.

Yes he is wonderful , can fix anything on a machine put in front of him , he has
worked for he same dealership for the pat 25 years , started in the days when he had to sign papers and do training for 4 years , Bernina think he is great they fly him other side of the world for his input into new machines .I am a very lucky Mum ..and he makes house calls to his Mum's anytime I need it . Cathy

So maybe he can get u a brand new one at an employee discount?

Yes they do make house calls , but it is a little far from Western Australia Some of their older customers they will even deliver back to them , it is old company that believes in service ..

I already have 4 of them top of the range , don't need a new one they did give me a discount I was happy with, but then I do keep them supplied with tons of sample and quilts to hang in the showroom , they have six hanging up new one this week. Cathy

I would get another opinion. I had the same diagnosis from a Bernina dealer on my 30+year old 1100. Took it to another dealer and had it fixed for $100.
I would also contact Bernina directly - their machines are built to last longer than 8 years - thus the inital cost!

Odd that it died so early. I have a 230 that I use primarily for piecing but the machine I use for FMQ (the heavy stuff) is a 140 that I bought in 2000 and it's still going strong. Even the high intensity light I had put on instead of the regular bulb is still working. Think what it would cost you to buy a comparable machine, how much you use the 240 and its ease of use and reliability compared to a cheaper machine. I'd go for the repair. $279 to replace a board that lasted at least 8 years of possibly heavy use is not bad (although I think it should have lasted longer). The service alone is something that you should do once a year. My Bernina repairman explained that he uses 5 different oils when he cleans and lubricates my machine in lots of places I can't get to. I figure it's worth it as I've had Berninas since 1978, get them regularly serviced and have only had one small spring break (and I was still using it with the broken spring).

I went through that with a machine I bought in 1997, $2500 machine on sale for $1800. I could pay $400 for a new mother board, but they would not give any warranty and if it didn't last when I took the machine home I would be out the money. Even though the repair was less than a new machine I opted to buy a new one. I got a new machine on sale for $1100 that had a larger throat and (most important) a new warranty. It was definitely worth it.

If you put in a request, someone might volunteer to pick it up and deliver??

The rule for appliances is if the repair cost I'd one-half or more of a new appliance, do not repair. I think the same can be applied to a sewing machine. If you like the machine, fix it.

Shop repair prices....They differ greatly....I use to pay 125.00 for a standard cleaning with more added to the price if any repair was needed...I found a great repairman that charges me 50 dollars to service my machine and is very reasonable for parts and labor...

I have an 8500 that I L O V E, but I was told the parts aren't even available anymore (by three different dealers) so it cannot be fixed. I have practically cried a river over it, because I loved that machine - it was the first one I had that I had a "connection" with that really got me in to sewing. Maybe yours is one of the Disney machines? I understand parts are still available for them but not the original 8500.

I would seriously pay $500 to keep my machine in working order, but ... it's not possible.

I have a brother quilter. I lost one of the rubber push things. I enquired on price to repair £300 plus anything else they find and service as it needed a new board. Well I found a wooden stick and puch it onto the board to make that point work. Cost £0 . And I serviced and electric checked myself.
Cousin then did his electric chech for pat testing.

I got lucky. Someone advertised an 1130 for $500. Checked it out and it looked like new. It had been her MIL's and when she passed, the machine just sat for a year or so because the DIL didn't sew. She just wanted to get rid of it. It came with about 20 presser feet, attachments and other things, extension table, the original warranty card (owner's copy) from 1990, the original manuals and bobbins. I took it to my local Bernina dealer to get it serviced and he was astonished at what great shape it was in. He said that there were a couple springs he'd like to replace when he serviced it next time but otherwise there was nothing wrong with the machine at all after he cleaned and oiled it. The service cost me $85. What a great deal! I LOVE this machine. It's a true workhorse with a powerful motor. I have not regretted one penny I spent for it and after looking at the prices for the new machines, I would much rather keep this one running rather than pay thousands for a new model. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it sews a beautiful straight quarter-inch seam, effortlessly! :-)

I am so late in replying to this. I really appreciate the advice from this board, thank you all. I did get my machine fixed it took 12 weeks, so I was sewing on a small Janome. It turned out it was 2 boards and not just 1, so the service center kept sending for the same new board as they thought it was bad. The machine had to be sent to the factory to be fixed at their expense. It came back in perfect running order!!! I was so happy and the cost was $278 instead of the $400 quoted. I am much happier now that it is back home.

Yay! I'm glad you got your "baby" back in good working order, and for less than quoted! That never seems to happen!

Our sewing machine are so much like our cars. Yes, bearisgray has it right. How much would be a new DSM be and how well do you enjoy your Bernina? I have a Bernina 1530 and I am so lucky that there has been NO major repair replace except for the do-dad that holds the bobbin. I was using can air to clean my machine and rust started to form.

I finally got my machine fixed too. I got a new computer screen and new gears. It was in the shop for 7 weeks and cost me nearly $800. I picked it up on the 11th of August and took it back on Monday the 25th. It sounds like there's a cricket on steroids when I sew at my preferred speed (fast) It is supposed to get looked at today. It better not cost me any more and I hope I get it back by Friday or Monday!