Machine Snobbery?
#151
Oh does this strike a cord with me. Many years ago I wanted to make a Trip around the world colorwash quilt. I paid for the class. I had the horrible experience of having the instructor picking out all my fabric. Then I loaded my Kenmore into the car. Drove 45 mins to the store. I was setting up when this same woman looks at me and says. Oh you have a kenmore machine. Think looking down her nose at me. Yes I said why? She luanched into a tirade on low end machines. Then I had the wrong thread(Coats and Clarke grey). I go to the thread rack to buy the "correct thread". They were out of the light grey so I bought the darker grey. I was never comfortable in the class. I dii finish my quilt. I actually sleep under it every night. I teach quilting now. I never ever say anything about a machine or supplies unless it really is a bad choice. But I do so with gentleness. I as a consumer would never take another class with them and I never did. BTW the 4 stores closed about 3 years later. Luann
#152
I agree, she wants you to upgrade, hold you ground! I still have a Viking 1+ and still love it! I needed it cleaned and the owner of the store tried her best to tell me that it wouldn't last forever. I told her I loved this machine. Still using it today!
#153
I have been following this thread and just had to comment on your post. For many years Kenvore machines were made by Janome, as are New Home. Most of the big machines manufacturers were more than willing to make their machines for big retailers to be sold under a private label. Brother also makes machines for others. I noted a post that thought that the machines sold by JoAnns, Walmart had cheaper parts, not entirely true, unless they change a model number or private label it in someway. I teach sewing classes locally one on one and have seen so many machines that I can tell you that unless someone needs fancy stitches, if it straight stitches, zig zags, goes forward and reverse its really about all one needs other than a zipper foot. A lot of the old singers only did straight stitching, and forward/reverse and some dropped their feed dogs, not all. Perfect for quilting. Give me vintage metal gears any day over the plastic junk that is computerized and has gears guaranteed to disintegrate. I am sure some of the top of the line machines have better service records than others, but for me I know what I do not need. There is no place for snobbery in the marketplace, no wonder those people had business failures.
#154
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
If the shop offered a "how to use YOUR machine" class - then it should have been honored with no belittling commentary.
I have some older "simpler" machines that sew beautifully. As someone else said, if it does a decent forward and back stitch and zigzags decently, for many people that will take care of 90% or more of their sewing needs.
One has to take into consideration what type of sewing (or styles) one might do.
I'm a jeans and t-shirt person. I need "muscle" in my machines, but not many fancy stitches.
If I worked on/with satins, laces, sheer fabrics, etc. -my needs might be different.
I have some older "simpler" machines that sew beautifully. As someone else said, if it does a decent forward and back stitch and zigzags decently, for many people that will take care of 90% or more of their sewing needs.
One has to take into consideration what type of sewing (or styles) one might do.
I'm a jeans and t-shirt person. I need "muscle" in my machines, but not many fancy stitches.
If I worked on/with satins, laces, sheer fabrics, etc. -my needs might be different.
#155
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,667
I have had several different types of machines...as of now I have a Brother PC-420, and a Brother PQ-1500...and I love them both! They both have several of the "high end" options such as a knee-lifter and a thread cutter, and I just could not see paying more money for a "brand" name...when my machines have exactly what I wanted! I also have run into what I would call "machine snobbery"...I just take it with a grain of salt, at my lqs meetings, my machine works just as good if not better than a lot of the other more expensive machines. Not only that, but this way I have money left over to buy more fabrics!!... I also must say that at the lqs I attend most of the ladies I am in group with would never make someone feel "less than" about anything, let alone the price/brand of their machine.
Take care all,
Kif
Take care all,
Kif
#156
Folks do put on airs.
The machine/fabric snobs--it is their shop and inventory, they may only work on specific brands, but there is a polite way to treat people, even if they are not customers today. I, too, have experienced curt answers when inquiring about machine repair. A polite explanation of franchise rules would only take seconds more than the brush-off.
Our late, lamented local Singer store sold Singers but the repairman would work on anything. The sales staff were always patient and polite.
The machine/fabric snobs--it is their shop and inventory, they may only work on specific brands, but there is a polite way to treat people, even if they are not customers today. I, too, have experienced curt answers when inquiring about machine repair. A polite explanation of franchise rules would only take seconds more than the brush-off.
Our late, lamented local Singer store sold Singers but the repairman would work on anything. The sales staff were always patient and polite.
#157
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,667
I have had several different types of machines...as of now, in addition to the vintage Singer 66 I inherited, I have a Brother PC-420, and a Brother PQ-1500...and I love them both! They both have several of the "high end" options such as a knee-lifter and a thread cutter, and I just could not see paying more money for a "brand" name...when my machines have exactly what I wanted! I also have run into what I would call "machine snobbery"...I just take it with a grain of salt, at my lqs meetings, my machine works just as good if not better than a lot of the other more expensive machines. Not only that, but this way I have money left over to buy more fabrics!!... I also must say that at the lqs I attend most of the ladies I am in group with would never make someone feel "less than" about anything, let alone the price/brand of their machine. I totally understand local sewing machine shops needing to make a living, but to pay several hundred more dollars for the same machine is just not something I want to nor am financially able to do. That's one great thing about this board, we all have differences, and we can all embrace them, and share our of love of quilting and ideas with each other!
Take care all,
Kif
Oops, went to edit last post, instead did a double post, sorry!
Take care all,
Kif
Oops, went to edit last post, instead did a double post, sorry!
#158
I've noticed that no one on this board has admitted to having a new Singer machine. Some have stated that new singers are'nt any good. I just bought a Singer Futura 4in1 back in Nov. and love it. Does everything the other brands do but about a quarter of the cost. Machine snobbery is everywhere.
I favor simplicity in machines I have to operate and maintain--my kitchen range with burners, broiler and oven and nothing else and the plainest washer and dryer I could find. If I could have a car without a computer I'd be happier than a cow in clover.
#159
Does she think the high end machine the dealer sells are made by hand? They are mass produced too. They may have more stitches and other amenities (and a higher price) but every sewing machine is mass produced.
P.S. I too would go elsewhere. I have no patience with people who make snide, passive-aggressive remarks. Too vexing.
P.S. I too would go elsewhere. I have no patience with people who make snide, passive-aggressive remarks. Too vexing.
#160
Oh yeah, the lady was protecting her territory - and sales. I just find it deplorable that a reputable place would resort to such tactics. Shame, shame, shame. It would be a store I would have trouble visiting again.
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