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Jo-Ann's as a SM dealer Why does this make me nervous?
LLW   Intermediate TN USA Member since 1/18/03 Posts: 20	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 2:08 PM I've had my Viking Lily for a decade plus now and I've looked at other machines because of the buttonholes. I have a repair guy I really like (who mostly handles Bernina's) and he's done what he can do. The Lily buttonhole is nice and certainly easy to use, but not great. I've tried a Bernina and we just didn't click. So I saw the Viking 875 and I think it is a lot like my Lily but with better buttonholes and some nice bells and whistles. I think it is a machine I could be very happy with, although the comments on the 870 were a little disconcerting. Then I look up authorized dealers and I have a choice of - Jo-Ann's. That's it. Do I need to visit all 3 that are sort of within driving distance or does it not matter? I thought the manager who showed me the 875 was nice and did a good job. I would need to go back at least once more with another round of questions and some more fabric samples. Has anyone bought a machine there and can you comment on any repair experiences, particularly in warranty. I don't go to Jo-Ann's very often. I don't have anything specifically against them. I am not sure why this is making me nervous! If they are difficult to deal with, perhaps I should just forgo the warranty, get a good deal and rely on my repair guy. Or is that insane with such a lot of electronics in the machine? I read a lot about choosing a dealer, people who love their dealer, etc, but I've never seen anyone say that they bought a machine at Jo-Ann's. Yet, surely they do. And if they have, perhaps they know if there is anything I can do to get a better price? I have my ASG discount card, but I suppose the coupons don't help. I welcome your input, suggestions, home remedies for anxiety, etc! ------ www.kiva.org Loans that Change Lives
DreinPA   Intermediate PA USA Member since 4/5/06 Posts: 250	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/29/12 2:24 PM The dealership is not through JoAnn's, but merely a concession location. They will have a separate cash register for the concession, and you should check with the dealer the things you would check with any other dealer, including service terms and discounts. JoAnn's coupons don't apply to machines sold on-line or in the store; it is specifically excluded in the fine print. ------ Don't confuse accessibility with ease; just because anybody can pick up a needle and thread doesn't mean sewing quality garments is easy.
KLK7 Beginner Member since 10/12/12 Posts: 35	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 2:27 PM I would go to all 3 in your area. My (limited) experience is that they can be hit or miss with their service personnel in the store. No experience though with getting things sent out and serviced. Always used "mom and pop" stores for service.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Subject: Jo-Anns as a SM dealer Date: 12/29/12 3:00 PM If you ask the person at the kiosk, they should tell you who the dealer is. It could be the same dealer at all three locations or different ones. JoAnn has nothing to do with the kiosk except to collect rent.
LuceLu   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 8/4/06 Posts: 1386	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 4:24 PM I read a blog Katies Quilting Corner and she has had bad experiences with a dealer in Joann's. (Viking). She has since gotten a Pfaff secondhand. She is from Florida, the dealer in your Joann's might be a different experience.
lilymom Member since 7/13/10 Posts: 51	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 12/29/12 4:58 PM Ask each dealer who does their service, whether it is on-site or off-site, and how long it usually takes to get your machine back. Also ask about costs -- hourly, flat charge for cleaning, etc. Finally, see if you can locate service customer(s) for each and ask about their experiences. The Viking dealer at our local Jo-Ann does not do their own service. They ship machines to an out of town location and it usually takes 3-4 weeks to get your machine back. This dealer tried to convince me that this was "typical" turnaround for other sewing machine dealers in our area and that they all shipped machines out for service. This, of course, was a bunch of hooey. I have had machines serviced at two of the three other name brand sewing machine dealerships in this town, and both had service personnel on-site, with turnaround of a couple of days to a week. As a result, I would not buy a Viking in this town since the local Jo-Ann's is the only Viking dealer for a 100 mile radius, and I didn't want my baby being shipped unnecessarily! Nor did I trust them to tell me the truth ... There are plenty of great sewing machines out there, and your relationship with the dealer, and quick access to competent service, are as important as the machine.
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4808	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 7:01 PM I think it depends on the individual you are dealing with. We have a wonderful "dealership" at our Joann's.
tgm and Kittys   Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 3/8/10 Posts: 6941	Login to reply to this post In reply to LLW << Like this post Date: 12/29/12 10:29 PM There is a Saphire in the classifieds here if it does not have to be brand new. Our Viking dealer by JoAnn's closed nearly 3 years ago. They were pretty nice while they were there & were associated with a much larger dealer in a bigger city.... I suspect that is how the shop is in your JoAnn's. ------ I am a gal from Kalamazoo.... oh what a gal... smile.... It is in Michigan... la la la ...love that Glen Miller classic! Home of Abigail The Babykins & Lil Mittee kitty >^,,^ Be Still, & Know That I am, God + Please say a prayer for my poor feet. ... + ..one month down .. 6 weeks more to go.. They are healing. Thanks everyone for your prayers. 5/8/13 smile
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5843	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Jo-Anns as a SM dealer Date: 12/30/12 11:23 AM We had a dealer with a kiosk in a local Joanns in Huntington Beach. They were a division of a local dealer. No service was provided at all and they did not take any returns or exchanges. I would be very careful of this kind of arrangement. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Karen31   Advanced USA Member since 1/25/09 Posts: 931	Login to reply to this post In reply to mastdenman << Like this post Date: 12/30/12 11:26 AM Quote: mastdenman We had a dealer with a kiosk in a local Joanns in Huntington Beach. They were a division of a local dealer. No service was provided at all and they did not take any returns or exchanges. I would be very careful of this kind of arrangement. They're not there anymore? They're the same one that was in the Foothill Ranch Joann's and I noticed they're not there anymore either, wonder if they pulled out of all. I wondered how they stayed in business in J's as over all the years I think I saw customers in the area MAYBE a handful of times (but did see classes). I was in the HB store once with a question about an accessory for my coverpro (they were also a Janome dealer) and the clerk was completely clueless. ------ Karen

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