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Importants of being a loyal customer. with sewing machine dealers of course :)
aka4512   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2/2/12 Posts: 431	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 4/6/12 2:29 AM hi all, I just want to understand the importance of becoming a loyal customer to a sewing machine dealer. As embarrassing as it is i'm 17 years old (i do feel old sometimes lol) my idea of purchasing machines (don't worry i saved money for these machines with some aid of mom). was having little loyalty towards dealers just to get good value. My first machine was from a craft chain store which was a brother basic machine and then a nx-200 from the same store, my embroidery machine was from a janome dealer and i now happily own a janome 6600 . I have a sense of guilt even though i was younger than. It took me one dealer (which btw gone there for numerous machine demos) to tell me off which was the sales lady who gave me those demos on various machine and didn't purchase from her. She told me kindly, very professional i must add. I look back at what I did and am upset because the time and energy she was willing to give. I bought the machine from another dealer although was a chain store but that's not relevant. I can't believe it took me awhile to notice my pattern as it happened three time and wish i bought my machines from her. I think for future machines (once i save enough cash) i will go to this dealer and purchase a sewing/embroidery combo machine. . apologize for my long story but i thought it was pretty relevant. So my question is what does it mean to become a loyal customer towards dealer? I have learned from my mistakes but need more guidance on this topic because i'm only 17 ------ Janome 300E Bernina 1120 Bernina 1130s Bernina 750QE Bernina 1150MDA From Sydney
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to aka4512 << 4 members like this. Date: 4/6/12 2:36 AM If any salesperson "told me off" for "wasting" their time (that they are paid for), I would not buy anything from that person. Ever. And I would be speaking to the store owner(s) about their need to hire properly trained staff. I spend my money when how and where I please. My job is to do my job. If your job is to demo machines...then demo machines. Your salesperson needs better training. Or firing. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
aka4512   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2/2/12 Posts: 431	Login to reply to this post In reply to LynnRowe << 1 member likes this. Date: 4/6/12 2:54 AM my first response how exciting! (sorry i'm like this on facebook to with unread messages) I was fighting with myself about this. I know i played a part of an unreasonable customer even though i was 16... so last year. the brands they sold at the time i was looking for a large machine were singer and pfaff. now they sell quiet a few brands now. so i understand that has played a part of my decision too. The thing i don't understand is why am i carrying this guilt with me. I don't know where it's coming from but the time spent their but didn't purchase anything but notions, fabric and quilt patterns. didn't purchase the fancy pfaff sewing machine which i would love to sew with. which was the whole reason i was really there (and maybe bernina machines at the end of last year which was the time i was told off) quiet a roller coaster if you ask me ------ Janome 300E Bernina 1120 Bernina 1130s Bernina 750QE Bernina 1150MDA From Sydney
bellsew   Advanced WA USA Member since 10/14/03 Posts: 390	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 4/6/12 3:56 AM Drop the guilt! Your job is to shop for the best deal with your hard earned money, her job is to sell. The job of selling includes demos and answering questions, just like selling cars. Perhaps she was surly due to your age. I'm an old bag and if a saleslady even hinted at me that I was wasting her time, I'd drop her like a hot potato and ask for someone else or walk out the door and take my money elsewhere. Shopping for a sewing machine is stressful enough when you have someone chomping at the bit hovering around trying to make a sale and a commission. You don't owe anything to her, remember, it was not only her time you "wasted" but also it was YOUR time wasted with her. Who's time is more precious? So, lose the guilt and hold on to your money!
aka4512   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2/2/12 Posts: 431	Login to reply to this post In reply to bellsew << Like this post Date: 4/6/12 4:25 AM age must be the issue here actually. When i was last at the dealers i was saving up for a bernina 820 (i know it's little expensive) but also other times i was there would have contributed a lot more thinking about it. but okay first step confession second step drop the guilt... making good progress here. ------ Janome 300E Bernina 1120 Bernina 1130s Bernina 750QE Bernina 1150MDA From Sydney
tgm and Kittys   Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 3/8/10 Posts: 6942	Login to reply to this post In reply to aka4512 << Like this post Date: 4/6/12 8:36 AM Welcome to PR! I would have to agree with others too. I would not spend hard earned & saved money on a sm at a shop where the people are so rude. We have limited dealerships here but still no need to be so rude & abrupt with customers. You are supporting the dealership literally with your purchase that is how they make a living ... no need for them to be so rude. Once you have sewn more & gain more confidence you will better know what you want & where you like to shop for things. Good Luck to you ! .............. Also very nice your Mom is interested in your sewing too, that is very nice. ------ 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
Artsewer   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/2/11 Posts: 1238	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 4/6/12 9:04 AM From this posting, I can sense you are a kind and caring person, thus the guilt. It is ok to shop around, in fact you should. For a bunch of reasons. Here is an example. A friend of mine wanted to buy a machine from the dealer which I had traded it in. A 6600 in fact. The dealer who we both take classes from, buy fabric, are loyal good customers, refused to sell the machine at a trade in price and quoted her a price were she could get the machine new and even that was a little high. So think of this, she is a loyal customer, she told the dealer the price was too high, but she would like to buy the machine for xx which was a good reasonable price and not at all a cut throat price, trying to be fair to herself as well as the dealer. The dealer refused her offer. She went else were and made a good deal. She works very hard for her money. The dealer made a choice, the dealer was being penny wise, pound foolish. My point is it can work both ways. You can be honest and say wow you know I want to buy the machine from you, but I have seen it else where for x and if you can do that .... Or at least come close....I would rather buy from you. This way you are taking care of yourself (number one) and second you don't have to feel guilty because your cards are on the table. I had a dealer get mad at me because he made an offer on something and in the end I decided not to take it because I decided to go with a different brand which he doesn't sell. Can you imagine that! I don't owe him anything, except to be polite, and buy and deal with him on a professional level, and for what is best for me. I stood up for myself and basically got mad back. I told him, that I had to do what is best for me, and that if he had what was best for me then I would buy that from him. I have every right to look, test, compare pricing as much as I want. If he doesn't like it I won't be coming back. He changed his tune and apologized. That may sound selfish or uncaring but really this is different then other situations. Its a store, not family. BTW for what its worth, I totally understand how you feel, and I am excited that you are into sewing at age 16/17 enough to put your gather your money and buy a good sewing machine. Good luck! ------ Bernina 750Q, 635E, 380, Serger 1100DC
AminaHijabi Advanced Beginner Member since 10/22/10 Posts: 813	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 4/6/12 10:25 AM why should you buy something you don't want or something you can't afford just because they were nice to you? You're not their only customer. If you liked the machine and could afford it, then you buy it. If you don't like it and/or can't afford it, don't buy it. They are selling a product, not a personality. You're not buying the salesperson, that just sounds bad.
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 8917	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 4/6/12 11:01 AM First I would say you have a good question. Perhaps you gave the lady the idea you were buying that day and took more of her time than is usual. We have discussed this before, and usually I am not inclined toward your guilty point of view, BUT, here is another take on this: The lady was perhaps speaking to you as she would speak to her own daughter. In many dealerships here in the states you wouldn't even be considered seriously because of your age, so your nice treatment by the dealership was a good thing. AND then maybe you are closer to this dealer, maybe you know this dealer is good and stands behind their products? You have the right to spend your money how you please, and without knowing either dealer you went to, or the chain store, I can easily say it is up to you - I have purchased many machines online actually, and there aren't many dealers near me. BUT, I dream of a terrific dealer who would not only stand behind the sales they make, but would provide a nice fun ambiance to purchase accessories, etc. I do believe people sometimes pay more for the classes, the ambiance and the feeling of belonging that some dealers (where are they?!) provide. So I won't say anything negative about the lady you mention, and I would say you can buy wherever you want to buy, but perhaps you will shop for a good dealer you can stay with at some point in your sewing life! It's so good to hear from a young person who must be a very good sewer to have already used such nice machines. :) ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
Artsewer   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/2/11 Posts: 1238	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/6/12 2:01 PM I just wanted to add on thing. When you go into a store repeatedly, basically to use their knowledge and test and shop without any intention of buying from them, knowing you will go on line, or to a big chain to save a little money, I kind of think that is not cool. When you go into a store repeatedly and realize along the way for other reasons, maybe the pricing is way out of line, you like another dealer better because they are nicer, machine costs less, they give you better support and so on... Its different. I think what Im trying to say is to be conscience about these things and try to be fair and honest as we want to be treated fairly and honestly. I am not implying that you were not fair and honest. Im more thinking about this for myself. I often question these things when Im shopping around for a car, sewing machine, appliance, someone to paint my house, a plumber. lol..... I don't know why this comes up when making these types of purchases. Maybe because we end up, testing out the product? Maybe because I know so many people who have their own businesses. Ive worked on commission in Real Estate, so I sort of feel for the person on the other end of it. But not enough to not do what I think is best for myself. -- Edited on 4/6/12 3:10 PM -- ------ Bernina 750Q, 635E, 380, Serger 1100DC

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