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Entry 301 of 353
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Friday, October 19, 2007 - The Names Have Been Changed to Protect the Innocent


So, I'm shopping for a new sewing machine.  I've been window shopping, asking other sewers, reading online consumer reports, watching videos.....I decided on the features I wanted, and decided for sure what I want is:

 

 

So....I went to a somewhat nearby sewing machine store, and "test drove" the Janome 6260, sopped up the drool from my chin, and asked the price.  Mr. Slick advised me that the price was a reasonable $1499, but just a minute, he'd call  Girl With Nose Ring And Two Weeks Experience to see if it would be okay to use an expired coupon for $200 off that they had in (please read the following two words in a mysterious voice) "The Flyer".  Spare me.  So, I went home with a glossy brochure, and the price quote of $1299 with his signature and phone number.

 

This morning, I looked online for contact numbers of other nearby authorized dealers, and called a couple of places across the border in Michigan too.  The best deal I found was $899 at Slightly Farther Away Sewing Machine Store, quoted to me by a young man who in my mind looks a lot like Patrick Dempsey, and now has my phone number. 

 

So, I called back Mr. Slick to ask him a question about the Pfaff GrandQuilter I have my eye on, to which he replied "Oh, hello Dianne, so you've decided to go with the Pfaff GrandQuilter, have you Dianne?  That's great Dianne.  Dianne, can you tell me what price Dianne I Dianne quoted Dianne you Dianne again. Dianne?"

 

Um....first of all, the name is Nancy.  And no, I was thinking I would like BOTH the GrandQuilter and the Janome 6260. He did the verbal dance around, pulling weird numbers out of the air, and shouting questions to Non-Existant Co-Worker and Girl With Nose Ring And Two Weeks Experience about how they could wrangle the Best Deal Possible for me.

 

So he asked me to refresh his memory about the price he quoted me on the Janome. "Well Mr Slick, I'll be honest with you.  You quoted me $1299, but I've called around and I believe I'll be going to another dealer has quoted me $899 which is the show special at the CreativFestival in Toronto next week".

 

Mr. Slick assures me that he knows Slightly Farther Away Sewing Machine Store, has dealt with the family for many, many years and that they are wonderful people, those Slightly Farther Away People.  But he wants my business, so he matches the price, and throws in an annual inspection and tune-up for the next three years.

 

I think I may just let him sweat it out for the weekend......

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Friday, October 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 51050
You make me laugh. Sweat can be a good thing! Rhoda

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Friday, October 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
What I want to know is, did you get the old one fixed up?

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Friday, October 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Your to funny , good for you ,make these places work for their money and value good costumers .I have found even at the show you are referring to ,if you tell them you can get it cheaper they will give you a deal .I plan to be at the show in Toronto,it's usually a good one .

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Friday, October 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
I don't know why this keeps happening I sign in but it still comes up anonymous the first time .GRRRRRRRRR

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Friday, October 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
The first guy might match the price yet he sounds like a crook. Are they any good at machine repairs? Or, does the young girl with two weeks experience and the nose ring do the repairing>

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Saturday, October 20, 2007 - Janome
Posted by Christie
I have a Janome and love it

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Sunday, October 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ThisOldQuilt
LOL, the machine may be expensive, but your story is priceless.

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Sunday, October 21, 2007 - Service is the key
Posted by
I would go with the slightly farther away store. They were up front & honest with you. It would be well worth the extra miles to have a dependable dealer, especially with what you are going to invest.

We have a dealer here in our area (35 miles away). I took my longarm (older model) in to him...instead of saying he didn't have a clue...he kept it two weeks, & when I finally called him... he said, oh, forgot to call you...I can't fix it...come get it.

He bent the bobbin case, chewed up the faceplate...etc... I know he was trying to time it..but wow, what a mess. So, we get it home...it won't run! burned out the motor.
I ended up calling Tom at http://www.nustylequilting.com and he walked me through some tests, had me send him the motor... yep dead... sold me a new one (which I could not find anywhere, too old), sent me some extras, and a drawing of proper wiring (which the local dealer screwed up).
Now, you have to understand, my machine is at least 15-20 years old...and Tom didn't even work at Nustyle when it was purchased. He has since walked me through several tasks that should have been done by him...just to save me from shipping the machine....all on his 800 number!
Service is the key... go with the dealer who will be there when you need him, and not bleed you dry in the process.
I now buy all my longarm supplies from Tom at Nustyle. Momma machine is happy that I do! I live in Texas, and Nustyle is in Missouri...but worth the hassle of maybe having to send Momma machine to him for care.


Edited by margecam52 on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 09:55 PM

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Monday, October 22, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by shirleymac
Please PLEASE don't go with Mr. Slick. Janome is an awesome machine. It sounds like the guy at the show would give you better long term customer service. When the warranty is off you can find someone who does maintenance that is closer to you.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
OMG this is hilarious and so something that would happen to me. I'd go with the further away store too.

-Jen
www.cre8tivequilter.blogspot.com

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