Singer School Machines
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,351
Every once in a while, we get a flyer in our newspaper about Singer School sewing machines being sold in our area. They claim that they are new, heavy duty machines that will sew all fabrics (even leather!) and the latest one even says that they will serge fabrics and cut off the excess fabric with the purchase of an optional cutter. These are supposedly made extra sturdy to withstand the abuse that students would give it. All of this for $149.00! Limited 25 year warranty. One day sale, with demonstrations going on.
Anybody ever buy one of these machines? What's your opinion?
Sure sounds tempting!
Sue
Anybody ever buy one of these machines? What's your opinion?
Sure sounds tempting!
Sue
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
They've been running that type of ad for years. Schools no longer buy machines like that and many schools do not even have a course that offers any sewing at all. Our local high school has a fashion arts class and they are stitching with Janomes or Husqvarnas (middle of the road machines $400-$600 range).
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Those ads have been running for decades. They're just a come-on for not-very-good-quality machines. This is probably one of the worst ways to go looking for a sewing machine. Buying off the shelf at Walmart is better, especially considering that low-end Singer machines have a very bad rep while low-end Brother machines (the kind sold at Walmart) have a pretty good rep.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: BC
Posts: 713
I would be cautious. Schools don't pre-order machines any more because they don't have that type of budget and hardly offer sewing courses. Our schools used to buy Pfaff because they had very few problems with them and didn't have to have a repair person coming every week
#8
I went to one of those sales decades ago & was not impressed. I would not buy a new machine from someone who would not be there when something went wrong. I can't remember what kind of warranty they were giving.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 662
I bought one of those machines about 15 years ago and I love it. I have had no problems with it. We have a local man who repairs all brands of machines, so service is no problem. The local Singer dealer will repair them also. I wanted a Singer machine at the time and this was all I could afford. The local Singer dealer didn't have a machine for $150. The serger attachment does a pretty good job also. It has come in handy several times.
Sorry my little cheap machine isn't good enough for some of you, but I am happy with it. It does everything I need.
Sorry my little cheap machine isn't good enough for some of you, but I am happy with it. It does everything I need.
#10
Originally Posted by Barb44
I bought one of those machines about 15 years ago and I love it. I have had no problems with it. We have a local man who repairs all brands of machines, so service is no problem. The local Singer dealer will repair them also. I wanted a Singer machine at the time and this was all I could afford. The local Singer dealer didn't have a machine for $150. The serger attachment does a pretty good job also. It has come in handy several times.
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