Pfaff and Viking dealership issues!
09-12-2010, 03:42 PM
#81
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 1
We had a dealer here locally who decided to down-size his business (he had several shops) and closed his store. What is particularly frustrating is trying to arrange for repairs and service on the Pfaff machines. Sewing machine repair persons cannot obtain parts for the Pfaff machines (Pfaff policy is to supply parts to authorized dealers only) nor is the Pfaff warranty good if any unauthorized persons work on the machine. This is certainly not good business practice and I've complained to Pfaff personally, but got no satisfaction from them.
09-12-2010, 04:23 PM
#82
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
Originally Posted by Candace
My thought is this... would someone really buy a TOL Viking or Pfaff and spend 4 or 5 grand for a machine at Joanne's or another big box store? I know I wouldn't. Some people would never spend that much on a sewing machine, period. LOL. But, for us crazy ladies who have very expensive machines, I'd never buy it from a craft store. I can't imagine anyone would do this without a dealership behind you that offers mastery courses. Viking just came out with a new machine that's just under their TOL machine. I don't see how they can come out with these machines and then cancel dealership contracts.
Vikings and Pfaff machines are sold by both independent dealers ( the LQS that sell these machines - sometimes with other brands as well) and corporate stores (those that rent the space within the Joann's stores.
I too am a bit dismayed that the TOL machines are no longer manufactured in Europe. The quality control on the machines coming out of China is far less than on the machines that were produced in Europe. It seems that all of the machine owners and manufacturers are going thru cost cutting exercises right now.........I have not found one yet that has not done something along these lines in the last 6 years or so............We just have to be careful in spending our dollars and doing our research first. If you want to be more certain that your Viking or Pfaff dealer will be there long term, you may want to look for a company-owned store.
Hope this helps.
09-12-2010, 04:28 PM
#83
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lake Havasu City Az
Posts: 196
My local sewing repair man told me quite some time ago that Singer bought those companies and they will now all be made in China, Is it true? Who knows!!!, Sure glad I have a Bernina although I have to travel 200 miles to my dealer, there is no dealer in this town,but 2 quilt shops, It is either Flagstaff or Las Vegas, so I go toFlagstaff, I can order any thing I need with one telephone call, :thumbup:
09-12-2010, 05:28 PM
#84
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Hehe. This is how I read the above. Blah,blah, blah, schmooze, schmooze, blah, blah... cheaper in China, thank Swedes now we're outa here, blah blah blah. We'll be moving everything to China, cheaper product...blah, blah...... junk.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
09-12-2010, 05:33 PM
#85
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cumming GA (formerly, NJ)
Posts: 162
The Viking section at JoAnn is a vendor who leases space there.
JoAnn has no interest in selling machines except for very low-end products. They don't even set any up to be tried out by prospective customers. Too costly to have staff spend time explaining the product.
JoAnn has no interest in selling machines except for very low-end products. They don't even set any up to be tried out by prospective customers. Too costly to have staff spend time explaining the product.
09-12-2010, 06:03 PM
#86
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Somerville, NJ
Posts: 94
This is good informaton to know. I took my Sears Kenmore machine in for repair and they LOST it. I will need to buy something new. They offered me a "comparable" machine, ha!
I don't know what to get, this was my husband's wedding gift to me, 30 years ago. I am heartbroken over it.
I don't know what to get, this was my husband's wedding gift to me, 30 years ago. I am heartbroken over it.
09-12-2010, 06:10 PM
#87
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 30
I have a Bernina 930 Electronic that I have been advised to keep at all cost. It is a work horse. However, I have just purchased a Brother CS6000i for using in class. It is much lighter than my Bernina. I do not ever intend to buy another Singer. All the gears are plastic and you know what that means. Singer use to be the standard but it has certainly come down hill in the last few years. I have been sewing for some 60 years and have a degree in Home Economics. Hopefully Bernina will not send their products to China. That would be a dredful shame!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kiki Myers in NC
Kiki Myers in NC
09-12-2010, 09:11 PM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 876
I had Pfaffs for 30 years (3) and just traded by 5 year old pfaff (china) for a Brothers Inovis QC1000. I traded because a major part bent and it is hard to find original replacement parts. I know we lost one Pfaff dearler in the area and really find very few around anymore. Really is sad as I really liked my Pfaff! I still have one that is about 20 years ond (actually it is my daughters now and we are holding on to that one as long as possible.
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