The sewing machine debacle
12-26-2010, 03:27 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 3,736
Or how I almost spent Christmas eve in the slammer
I had two machines that needed cleaning and one of them also needed repair. As I did not know where to take them, I found a place about 30 minutes away on yellowpages.com. The man assured me that he worked on all sewing machines. So I took them in on Dec 17.
I should have walked right out. The place was also a vacuum repair shop and they sold sofas, mattresses and bunk beds, too.
I explained what I needed to have done and the owner told me they would both be done by Wednesday Dec 22. Of course neither were ready when I called. He did tell me there was something wrong with the one that only needed cleaning. We argued back and forth and I went to the shop the next morning to see for myself. Obviously he didn’t know what he was talking about and I paid his huge cleaning bill and brought that machine home. Of course, it hadn’t been cleaned. By now I was steaming. I wanted my money back and the other machine, too. I called one more time and said I’d be back on the day before Christmas. Never should have warned him.
The owner wasn’t there when I got to the shop and the “in-shop-man” said I was not getting any money back. My other machine was not in the shop but elsewhere. I asked to talk to the owner and he put me through on their phone. I demanded my machine and my money back.
The owner said he absolutely wouldn't refund any money and he would have my machine back in the shop in an hour or so. AND I'd have to pay a work bench fee. AND he didn't care if I called the police or what (though I didn't suggest that I would call the police.) I am naive and not very courageous but this had my dander up (can you tell I’m 70 years old?) So I called the police. Unfortunately they said, this is a civil case and they couldn’t do anything about it. I hung around in the shop a short while, trying to convince the in-shop-guy to give me my money back. Funny, though, in about 5 minutes, the owner called the shop guy and the conversation went like: Yes, she's still here. Yes, she called the police. Ok, I'll tell her. So now I was the bad guy! THEY were going to call the police and get me for trespass. Gee, I didn't want to go to jail on Christmas Eve, so I did leave. Now I don't know if I'll ever get my machine back!
I’ve never run across such unscrupulous people before and I’m embarrassed that I was taken in. Yes, I will be contacting a lawyer as well as the Better Business Bureau in Williamsport PA about Swopes. If you live in or near there, run from that place and never ever take anything there or deal with them. :evil:
I had two machines that needed cleaning and one of them also needed repair. As I did not know where to take them, I found a place about 30 minutes away on yellowpages.com. The man assured me that he worked on all sewing machines. So I took them in on Dec 17.
I should have walked right out. The place was also a vacuum repair shop and they sold sofas, mattresses and bunk beds, too.
I explained what I needed to have done and the owner told me they would both be done by Wednesday Dec 22. Of course neither were ready when I called. He did tell me there was something wrong with the one that only needed cleaning. We argued back and forth and I went to the shop the next morning to see for myself. Obviously he didn’t know what he was talking about and I paid his huge cleaning bill and brought that machine home. Of course, it hadn’t been cleaned. By now I was steaming. I wanted my money back and the other machine, too. I called one more time and said I’d be back on the day before Christmas. Never should have warned him.
The owner wasn’t there when I got to the shop and the “in-shop-man” said I was not getting any money back. My other machine was not in the shop but elsewhere. I asked to talk to the owner and he put me through on their phone. I demanded my machine and my money back.
The owner said he absolutely wouldn't refund any money and he would have my machine back in the shop in an hour or so. AND I'd have to pay a work bench fee. AND he didn't care if I called the police or what (though I didn't suggest that I would call the police.) I am naive and not very courageous but this had my dander up (can you tell I’m 70 years old?) So I called the police. Unfortunately they said, this is a civil case and they couldn’t do anything about it. I hung around in the shop a short while, trying to convince the in-shop-guy to give me my money back. Funny, though, in about 5 minutes, the owner called the shop guy and the conversation went like: Yes, she's still here. Yes, she called the police. Ok, I'll tell her. So now I was the bad guy! THEY were going to call the police and get me for trespass. Gee, I didn't want to go to jail on Christmas Eve, so I did leave. Now I don't know if I'll ever get my machine back!
I’ve never run across such unscrupulous people before and I’m embarrassed that I was taken in. Yes, I will be contacting a lawyer as well as the Better Business Bureau in Williamsport PA about Swopes. If you live in or near there, run from that place and never ever take anything there or deal with them. :evil:
12-26-2010, 03:31 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 7,013
they were right, it is a civil matter. I would take them to small claims court if they charged you for something they did not do. I don't think a lawyer is necessary or would even be willing to take on a case like this, unless you have one in the family, which is always handy!
12-26-2010, 03:32 PM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,685
I am so sorry for your horrible experience. It is a shame that there are people out there like that who will take advantage of people. Unfortunately, it is a civil situation and there isn't really anything the police can do to help.
Do you have a local TV network with a consumer advocate? Our local networks have them and they will help people with problems like this for no cost. They usually get good results because they publish the stories.
I hope you get this resolved quickly.
Do you have a local TV network with a consumer advocate? Our local networks have them and they will help people with problems like this for no cost. They usually get good results because they publish the stories.
I hope you get this resolved quickly.
12-26-2010, 03:37 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 649
I think that letting everyone you know in on your story will be your best revenge. Small businesses often rely on word of mouth.
I also want to say that I sent a machine in once because I I had trouble with the feed dogs not dropping. I picked it up the next day and they told me they had cleaned for me. Yeah, right!! I could tell it hadn't been touched. Sad how easily people will lie to you.
I also want to say that I sent a machine in once because I I had trouble with the feed dogs not dropping. I picked it up the next day and they told me they had cleaned for me. Yeah, right!! I could tell it hadn't been touched. Sad how easily people will lie to you.
12-26-2010, 03:39 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
What an awful experience! Good of you to warn others. I'd go back there with a bunch of men with you, like 4+, maybe some suits. Don't say who they are. The unknown is scarier. If that doesn't work, get on your local news, like "the fixer". Ripping off senior ladies is so scummy. When you shine a light on roaches, they scatter.
12-26-2010, 04:07 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Burlington, NC
Posts: 1,730
Originally Posted by oatw13
I am so sorry for your horrible experience. It is a shame that there are people out there like that who will take advantage of people. Unfortunately, it is a civil situation and there isn't really anything the police can do to help.
Do you have a local TV network with a consumer advocate? Our local networks have them and they will help people with problems like this for no cost. They usually get good results because they publish the stories.
I hope you get this resolved quickly.
Do you have a local TV network with a consumer advocate? Our local networks have them and they will help people with problems like this for no cost. They usually get good results because they publish the stories.
I hope you get this resolved quickly.
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