Would you ever buy a machine without a dealer near?
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kentucky live in WV
Posts: 8,480

I bought a new Janome with a "dealer" and before I had even completed the "free training," she had health issues, closed the shop, no one is near. I never had the free training completed.
I have paid an online Janome dealer to take online training classes.
I would like to have the Janome serviced and there is no dealer around.
Buying from a dealer is not a guarantee as soon as you walk out the door....
I have paid an online Janome dealer to take online training classes.
I would like to have the Janome serviced and there is no dealer around.
Buying from a dealer is not a guarantee as soon as you walk out the door....
#24

I so understand. The closest dealership of any machine is about 50 miles unless I go to JAF for a Viking. That I am not comfortable with. I love my older Janome, it needs to go in for repair right now and I haven't been going anywhere with COVID so that has to wait. I am doing all my sewing right now on a FW. I so want to upgrade.
So if I want to buy something I have to buy without trying and online which I am not likely to do right now. I want a dealer and feel pretty strongly that I need a dealer close by. So I am still looking around.
So if I want to buy something I have to buy without trying and online which I am not likely to do right now. I want a dealer and feel pretty strongly that I need a dealer close by. So I am still looking around.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,244

I am fortunate that there is a Sewing Machine/Vacuum repair shop within a mile of my home. They are also dealers of Pfaff, Viking, and Husqvarna. Not sure they may have other machines - but they repair and sell used machines. I also have Sewing Machines Plus within a 15 mile drive and a Bernina dealer/quilt shop 18 miles away. And a Janome dealer/quilt shop is about 12 miles. I have taken my Janome MC6600P in once in 10 years. My Husqvarna is an embroidery machine and it went in once in 8 years. (Turned out my machine did not like bobbin thread while embroidering.) And since I do clean out my machines on a regular basis both repair shops said my machines were so clean they weren't sure why I brought them in. My concern would be in case you get a lemon - which does happen. I quit ordering anything mechanical from QVC because I was getting things that didn't work as well as they should. So I buy local where if it doesn't work right I can return it easily.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Near Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,521

Maybe it's because I grew up in Alaska and have lived fairly remote -- some of us don't have much of a choice or any dealers near us, I'd rather have the machine I want than pick another brand just because they have a local storefront.
Now that I live in town, I really prefer dealing with the repair guy at the Viking shop. I was given a Bernina which is a different shop and I really don't like their attitude over there as much. Hadn't been there for a number of years and the Bernina needed a repair, they were better but I still like my other guy so next time I'll use him.
Now that I live in town, I really prefer dealing with the repair guy at the Viking shop. I was given a Bernina which is a different shop and I really don't like their attitude over there as much. Hadn't been there for a number of years and the Bernina needed a repair, they were better but I still like my other guy so next time I'll use him.
#27

I purchased my Janome from a dealer who then retired. So much for that
I purchased my BabyLock Tiara second hand and approached the Handi Quilter dealer out of town for service. He wanted me to bring it in, but gave me the number of another sewing machine repair shop in town and they came and serviced it in-house when I said I couldn't move it.
I'm not sure if Juki is the kind of machine that *only* a Juki repairperson can fix, but if that is the case, it isn't something I would buy unless I really couldn't live without that particular machine.
Watson
I purchased my BabyLock Tiara second hand and approached the Handi Quilter dealer out of town for service. He wanted me to bring it in, but gave me the number of another sewing machine repair shop in town and they came and serviced it in-house when I said I couldn't move it.
I'm not sure if Juki is the kind of machine that *only* a Juki repairperson can fix, but if that is the case, it isn't something I would buy unless I really couldn't live without that particular machine.
Watson
#29

I go back and forth constantly about whether I need one better sewing machine instead of the 3 or 4 so-so ones I already have. Specifically, I am looking at the Juki HZL-DX7, but there are no Juki service centers I can find in Virginia. I can buy it from Joann's, but I don't think they do classes or actual service. Is it insanity to even consider this?
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,610

Lee, check with the local Bernina dealer, Blue Crab is their shop name, they’re in the far west end, near short pump. They sell the Juki straight stitch only machine, but I don’t know if they are an authorized Juki repair shop. Other than that, the closest Juki dealer that I know of is Fabric Hut in tidewater.
Rob
Rob