Pfaff and Viking dealership issues!
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
I just got my newsletter from my local dealer who's carried the full line of Viking, Janome, Bernina, Babylock and Pfaff for MANY years. In it, I was very suprised to see that the company that now owns both Viking and Pfaff (SVP Worldwide) basically dropped my dealership without warning and my dealership won't be selling these machines anymore!
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: western Pa
Posts: 4,569
Yes-my LQS was a Viking dealer and is now selling only Janome. They will keep doing maintenance checks on Vikings but I'm unable to get any accessories for my machine there. Very upsetting-I bought a Viking because of the location (15 min away). Each time I've stopped in LQS she advises I "trade up to a Janome before she stops taking Vikings on trade". Cannot afford to do that. Two Joann stores in the area (45min away) do sell Vikings still so I guess that's where I'll go for bobbins, etc. Unless those franchises are also closed--hope not.
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
What are they thinking dropping sewing machine dealerships?? Maybe they think they'll sell more machines off of the shelf at K-Mart or WalMart? I bet everyone that owns and has spent big bucks on Viking and Pfaffs are grinding their teeth in frustration as the reputation of these companies gets trashed:
#4
Ya know I really have to wonder WHERE these peoples minds are going.
1. Pfaff used to have a wonderful reputation for quality.
2. Viking enjoyed the same reputation.
NOW, everytime you pick up a paper, we find something else that is poisoning, damaging, or somehow harmful that has been produced in China.
YOOOOOOOOOOO DUDES--------------STOP AND THINK!
1. Pfaff used to have a wonderful reputation for quality.
2. Viking enjoyed the same reputation.
NOW, everytime you pick up a paper, we find something else that is poisoning, damaging, or somehow harmful that has been produced in China.
YOOOOOOOOOOO DUDES--------------STOP AND THINK!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Currently Mosquito (which is outside of Placerville) California
Posts: 752
Originally Posted by Candace
I just got my newsletter from my local dealer who's carried the full line of Viking, Janome, Bernina, Babylock and Pfaff for MANY years. In it, I was very suprised to see that the company that now owns both Viking and Pfaff (SVP Worldwide) basically dropped my dealership without warning and my dealership won't be selling these machines anymore!
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Originally Posted by mosquitosewgirl
Originally Posted by Candace
I just got my newsletter from my local dealer who's carried the full line of Viking, Janome, Bernina, Babylock and Pfaff for MANY years. In it, I was very suprised to see that the company that now owns both Viking and Pfaff (SVP Worldwide) basically dropped my dealership without warning and my dealership won't be selling these machines anymore!
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
Has anyone else had local dealerships be dropped by Viking and Pfaff? I wonder if we're going to start seeing them for sale at big, box stores? I know Viking is sold at many Joanne's...maybe Pfaff will start being sold there as well?
My dealership wasn't dropped for lack of sales or customer support a they've got a very good reputation and several stores locally. It seems like Pfaff and Viking are changing their focus away from sewing machine dealerships. It was sad news to hear they were being built in China now and that the new machines weren't up to past standards. But, it's even sadder to hear this latest news.
#7
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Maryland and Florida
Posts: 91
This happened with Bernina last year, in southern Florida. They took the dealership away from 2 of my area quilt shops. I did not appreciate that and neither did many of their other customers. Now we are left with only 2 dealerships in (long) driving distance. I can't understand the rationale.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by Candace
... I was very suprised to see that the company that now owns both Viking and Pfaff (SVP Worldwide) basically dropped my dealership without warning and my dealership won't be selling these machines anymore!
The rep also confirmed that there are no longer any machines being made in europe...they're all made in the Far East...
#9
How sad-I can't believe Pfaff would go to big box stores-their branding was on quality, German engineering, and customer support through local dealers. IF they change they'd never repair their image. My Pfaff 7550 has been a great machine, but now I'd consider a Janome Horizon. Could Pfaff be moving to another dealer in your area or were sales low?
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
I had actually mentioned this in my PDA and here is the wording in the newsletter:
"Pfaff and Viking were purchased by Kohlberg and Company, an American equity firm that also owned Singer Sewing Machine Company. Singer, Viking and Pfaff then became SVP Worldwide and moved the manufacturing and distribution of Pfaff and Viking to China."
My thought: No wonder the quality of Pfaff is going down.
I can attest to it because of the 3 Pfaffs I currently own, 2 are the old German standard and one is obviously not. It isn't anything I can really quantify but when you are used to one set of quality, you notice when it changes. Don't get me wrong - it is still a good machine, just not for me. I plan to sell it and keep the older 2.
"Pfaff and Viking were purchased by Kohlberg and Company, an American equity firm that also owned Singer Sewing Machine Company. Singer, Viking and Pfaff then became SVP Worldwide and moved the manufacturing and distribution of Pfaff and Viking to China."
My thought: No wonder the quality of Pfaff is going down.
I can attest to it because of the 3 Pfaffs I currently own, 2 are the old German standard and one is obviously not. It isn't anything I can really quantify but when you are used to one set of quality, you notice when it changes. Don't get me wrong - it is still a good machine, just not for me. I plan to sell it and keep the older 2.
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