Machine Snobbery?
#91
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Yes, there are snobs in the world. Car snobs, food snobs, wine snobs, clothing snobs, fabric snobs, sewing machine snobs, and snobs in areas I don't even know. The best approach I know is to not buy into their game. Enjoy what you have and don't let negative talk dissuade you from doing great things.
#92
I decided to try my hand at sewing and quilting back in October. My aunt showed me her Singer she bought at Walmart for $79. My friend showed me her Kenmore that she paid a couple hundred for. I hadn't even found this board yet. My mom always had Singers, so I took myself down to Joann (I didn't even know LQS even existed! LOL) and bought the nicest Singer I could afford, the Confidence Stylist. It ended up being more machine than I would've paid for, but it was 50% off, so I ended up with a nicer machine than my actual budget allowed for. I'm pleased as punch with it. I know the newer ones have a reputation, but this thing does everything I need it to, and isn't so basic (like my aunt tried to talk me into) that I'll outgrow it soon. I use it just about every day and I love it. Don't be ashamed of your machine; your LQS should be ashamed of the way they treated you!
I'm a wedding photographer. If I treated one of my brides who couldn't afford my biggest collection the way you were treated, I'd be out of business soon enough! We all have a choice; mine, in this situation, would be to finish this class and move on to a shop that values ALL their customers equally.
I'm a wedding photographer. If I treated one of my brides who couldn't afford my biggest collection the way you were treated, I'd be out of business soon enough! We all have a choice; mine, in this situation, would be to finish this class and move on to a shop that values ALL their customers equally.
#94
It tickles me every time I'm in a Fab Shop and listen to the sales pitch these people have. How did we ever sew anything on a treadle. I love my simple machine and everyone else can keep those high priced jobs. I did buy a Bernina 15 years ago when embroydery was the newest thing. I haven't used the E attachment once in all those years. I do like my bernina, and my simple singer from a school sale and my treadle the best! Oh, and my DGMs 1935 singer. Wow!
peace
Mad Quilter Rocks!
peace
Mad Quilter Rocks!
Last edited by ube quilting; 01-25-2012 at 04:32 PM.
#95
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
Our Brother dealer cannot give free classes to those who buy the mass-market, rather than the dealer line. They can't afford it.
It isn't that they look down upon the mass market machines (there are a few of the project runway machines that overlap between the mass market/dealer lines and they recommended I just buy that on amazon) it is that the dealer support is built into the price of the machine.
Our brother dealer offers a $200 package where they offer lifetime classes for a mass market machine, as well as the basic cleaning that would come with a dealer purchased machine.
It isn't snobbery, it is business. $50 sounds reasonable for most classes, IMO.
It isn't that they look down upon the mass market machines (there are a few of the project runway machines that overlap between the mass market/dealer lines and they recommended I just buy that on amazon) it is that the dealer support is built into the price of the machine.
Our brother dealer offers a $200 package where they offer lifetime classes for a mass market machine, as well as the basic cleaning that would come with a dealer purchased machine.
It isn't snobbery, it is business. $50 sounds reasonable for most classes, IMO.
#96
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
don't let people like that upset you. i just tell them its great they have what they want but i am happy with my old new home. it does everything i need it too. as for the lady she just wants to make a sell places like that wouldn't see me back cause i don't like the computer machines to work with so there wouldn't be a hope of her making a sell.My SIL finally got the 5000 dollar combo she wanted and showed it to me . it was great for her but just not my thing. the other sister in law is uppity too cause her quilts win blue ribbons and she has all the toys and all. I caught on though she does the tops and sends them out to be quilted. that is fine but she shouldn't act like she did it all. I am not one to keep up with the jones and happy for what works for me. lol sell persons wouldn't be happy with me for sure
#97
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
I was told the same thing about my SE270D (disney machine)...it's similar to yours. I took it to a different dealer when we moved here to TX...the dealer said Brother would not let dealers sell these machines...not because they are mass produced (all machines are mass produced...that's a copout)...but because the company wants dealers to sell the higher end machines only. This tech/dealer said my little Disney machine was one of the best & easiest to work on he has seen. I love my little machine...though I now have a 2nd embroidery/sewing machine (Futura CE150)...and like the larger hoop...I love the Brother for sewing...it cuts the thread, it has a cartridge for the top thread..and it really does thread the needle for you.
Don't worry about people putting your machine down...it's a great machine...all the brother machines I have owned have been good machines. Don't forget though...use either 60 or 90 wt bobbin thread only in the bobbin for embroidery...yep...had to have my disney machine timed 3x before I figured that one out...finally read the manual!
Don't worry about people putting your machine down...it's a great machine...all the brother machines I have owned have been good machines. Don't forget though...use either 60 or 90 wt bobbin thread only in the bobbin for embroidery...yep...had to have my disney machine timed 3x before I figured that one out...finally read the manual!
I bought a Brother SE400 from Amazon. It's a combination embroidery/sewing machine and it was on sale. I called a local sewing shop about classes and told them my machine. The woman commented about my machine being mass produced (isn't everything mass produced) so they don't sell the machine and I would have to pay $50 for the class. No problem and I attended the class today. My machine was the simplest one there and the only one a combination machine. During the class again it was mentioned about mass produced vs dealer. What's the difference and is there an "attitude" about buying machines online or at stores other than sewing stores?
#98
Sometimes the social interaction with other students is fun. I love my quilting friends, some from classes.
She just wants to sell you one of her expensive machines. If it was me I would
go someplace else. I learned to quilt on my own and using the internet, buying
a few books and reading this board. If I'm looking for a technique I usually
google and if I can't find the answer I just ask here. There are all kinds of tutorials
here and on the web. I save my money for fabric.
go someplace else. I learned to quilt on my own and using the internet, buying
a few books and reading this board. If I'm looking for a technique I usually
google and if I can't find the answer I just ask here. There are all kinds of tutorials
here and on the web. I save my money for fabric.
#99
A business owner who wants my business would do well to make me feel good about me and my equipment. She doesn't know when I will want a high dollar machine like the one she sells and if she has made me feel bad, I certainly will not buy it from her shop. In these perilous economic times, shop owners/managers need to watch their attitudes! froggyintexas
#100
I bought a Brother SE400 from Amazon. It's a combination embroidery/sewing machine and it was on sale. I called a local sewing shop about classes and told them my machine. The woman commented about my machine being mass produced (isn't everything mass produced) so they don't sell the machine and I would have to pay $50 for the class. No problem and I attended the class today. My machine was the simplest one there and the only one a combination machine. During the class again it was mentioned about mass produced vs dealer. What's the difference and is there an "attitude" about buying machines online or at stores other than sewing stores?
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