Why does it cost so much to repair a sewing machine?
09-05-2010, 07:57 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Monroeville, PA
Posts: 547
I can see both sides to this as my husband is in a service industry and people dont understand why a small cat is more to shave then a lab (thats because cats can and do regularly eat you alive lol)
But I also think that it is pushing our society into a throw away society.
If it cost more or more then half to fix it why not just get a new one. The old one goes to the dumps.
If everyone did that then there would be no more repair man.
Think about it.
When was the last time you took a TV to the repair shop or even seen one.
I know for me that was 10 years ago and the TV was more expensive to repair then to buy a new one.
Just something to think about.
But I also think that it is pushing our society into a throw away society.
If it cost more or more then half to fix it why not just get a new one. The old one goes to the dumps.
If everyone did that then there would be no more repair man.
Think about it.
When was the last time you took a TV to the repair shop or even seen one.
I know for me that was 10 years ago and the TV was more expensive to repair then to buy a new one.
Just something to think about.
09-05-2010, 08:55 AM
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,375
Originally Posted by AbbyQuilts
I can see both sides to this as my husband is in a service industry and people dont understand why a small cat is more to shave then a lab (thats because cats can and do regularly eat you alive lol)
But I also think that it is pushing our society into a throw away society.
If it cost more or more then half to fix it why not just get a new one. The old one goes to the dumps.
If everyone did that then there would be no more repair man.
Think about it.
When was the last time you took a TV to the repair shop or even seen one.
I know for me that was 10 years ago and the TV was more expensive to repair then to buy a new one.
Just something to think about.
But I also think that it is pushing our society into a throw away society.
If it cost more or more then half to fix it why not just get a new one. The old one goes to the dumps.
If everyone did that then there would be no more repair man.
Think about it.
When was the last time you took a TV to the repair shop or even seen one.
I know for me that was 10 years ago and the TV was more expensive to repair then to buy a new one.
Just something to think about.
(I am thankful I have found a groomer that doesn't charge $20 an hour to groom a poodle. I couldn't afford that. If I could work it would be different.)
09-05-2010, 09:11 AM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Longwood, Florida
Posts: 2,910
I am trying to figure out what spring you are talking about. I have been sewing all my life and have never had my machines serviced. I take care of them myself. Cleaning and Oiling as needed ...mainly cleaning!!
I have an old single a 15K, that sews like a top. I paid 75.00 for it years ago. I wouldn't trade my singer for any machine.
Maybe you could explain the spring to me.
I have an old single a 15K, that sews like a top. I paid 75.00 for it years ago. I wouldn't trade my singer for any machine.
Maybe you could explain the spring to me.
09-05-2010, 09:19 AM
#34
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
I take my Bellaboo to a groomer for a bath and nail clip every month. No grooming and it's $20 including tip.
The closest machine repairman to me is about 2 hours away so I have to include the price of gas, use of my car, and my time in the repair/service bill. I've only had one problem I couldn't repair myself and the man showed me how to repair it if it happened again. That is a good repairman and I send everyone to him that needs work on their machine.
The closest machine repairman to me is about 2 hours away so I have to include the price of gas, use of my car, and my time in the repair/service bill. I've only had one problem I couldn't repair myself and the man showed me how to repair it if it happened again. That is a good repairman and I send everyone to him that needs work on their machine.
09-05-2010, 11:25 AM
#35
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
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
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
09-06-2010, 02:56 AM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Palm Coast, Florida
Posts: 1,045
I mainly sew on vintage machines, which are mostly Singer and one Necchi Supernova. I usually spend $50 per machine at Estate Sales or Craigslist. I have two newer machines, a Singer and a Brother, but I absolutely love sewing on the vintage machines. I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars to repair a sewing machine. I guess it also depends on what one can afford.
09-06-2010, 03:52 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Raleigh,NC
Posts: 1,962
I do ask that too, be cheaper just to buy another sewing machine. But it isnt repairing the machine as the labor cost!
Anyway thats my thought on the subject.
and if we could find a good manual to repair our own machines, that would be great. We do it for other things like car, stove, ref, fans, even computer! so why not find a manual for our machines that tell us how to? I am all for it too.
Anyway thats my thought on the subject.
and if we could find a good manual to repair our own machines, that would be great. We do it for other things like car, stove, ref, fans, even computer! so why not find a manual for our machines that tell us how to? I am all for it too.
09-06-2010, 03:52 AM
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 179
You gals are so funny with your responses, that's why I luv this site. Fortunately, I have0several machines and I luv them all I keep them oiled and oay attentin to how they work. I also have found a reasonable repairan here in the atl. Good luck and always get several estimates (but smart quilter know this). Leamelon
09-06-2010, 04:30 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,866
Luckily I have a son who is very good at fixing things. He went and replaced a part in my machine and also services it regularly. Beats taking it to a shop. Just cleaning costs us $50 at the shop, but after watching the guy clean it once, (it was a rush job and told him I would wait) told DS what he had done and now he cleans it.
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