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Member since 11/9/06
Posts: 410
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Posted on: 12/30/08 11:55 AM ET
Just how important to keep your machine serviced? Well as most of you know I work at a dealership as an educator. I’m the one who teaches all the new machine classes, a fun job since I get to know all the latest and greatest things about all the newest machines. But sometimes I see some things that just make you want to cry. We had a customer who bought a new BL Ellegante 4 years ago. Now mind you her machine came with the Gold Standard that included 3 years of care for her machine. The dealer I work for sends out a reminder card 11 months after purchase reminding you your machine is due for a tune up and cleaning, something covered by the Gold Standard. What most people don’t understand is if the machine is not maintained it voids out the warranty on the machine. Needless to say this machine had never been in for servicing not once and there was a major problems with the machine when she finely brought it in. No one was happy with this situation; however the warranty on the machine would not cover the repair bill for this machine. The lady elected not to have the machine repaired, even when my boss, the owner of the dealership offered to do the repairs for parts only, but it was still over 1000.00 repair bill. She took her machine home still not working, not much more than a paperweight at this point.
I always stress how important it is for annual service on machines in the first class new owners attend, that is why we include the gold standard with all high end Babylock machines. We carry four other brands of machines and also offer 3 years service on them as well. We have since gone through all records of high end machines sold in the past 5 years and have found that only about 38% of the owners have their machines serviced annually. This is not just oiling a machine it is much more, and most times our shop can have a machine in and back out again in just a couple days. So please don’t let something like this happen to you.
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John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
  
Member since 7/27/05
Posts: 3783
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Posted on: 12/30/08 12:00 PM ET
Thank you for the post - I'm feeling virtuous since I just got my machines serviced but I don't want to tell you how long it had been I would love to know what the servicing is. You mentioned more than just oiling ... what else is done? Maybe this will keep me on a better schedule..

Jennifer (who feels like she dodged the bullet)
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"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
  
Member since 11/9/06
Posts: 410
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Posted on: 12/30/08 12:11 PM ET
In reply to JEF
Many task are completed on the machine, first of all the clean out your machines in places you would not get to at home. They also calibrate your machine, as well as adjust the tension, so be sure to take your embroidery unit if your machine has one as there are task that they check with the embroidery unit as well. I tell you I told my boss we need a sticker to put on the machine when it goes home, you know like the one they put on your car when it gets a oil change! Also they reset the stitch counter thus it shows it was serviced. Many a problem can be avoided by having your machine serviced.
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John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
  
Member since 9/15/08
Posts: 135
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Posted on: 12/30/08 12:58 PM ET
Quote:
What most people don’t understand is if the machine is not maintained it voids out the warranty on the machine.


Susan,

Is this true of all new Babylock sewing machines or just certain models? What about other manufactures/brands?
  
Member since 11/16/05
Posts: 1570
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Posted on: 12/30/08 1:17 PM ET
In reply to Sewing Diva Susan
I hear you and would like to say, amen, but the reality looks different. So many sewing machine dealers have closed that there are not enough nearby to service the machines. My "nearest" BL dealer is 3 hours away, one way. Shipping sets me back at least $50 one way, so that's $100 right there. Assuming the shop is willing to pack it and the machine doesn't suffer damage in transit. (Been there.) Few shops are willing to honor an appointment and service the machine while you wait or at least within a reasonable amount of time that allows you to drop it off and pick it up a couple of hours later. I wish there were a traveling repair person. Or more cross-training among brands so I could take my BL to a Singer or Bernina place.
Claudia who hasn't had her BLs serviced since she bought them
  
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 8690
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Posted on: 12/30/08 3:00 PM ET
In reply to Sewing Diva Susan
I religiously take my machine in at least once a year but if it has a problem with have they clean it etc. The machine will be 5 years old Jan 4th and it's been well worth maintaining it. Like anything else the better you take care of it the longer it will last.
  
Member since 11/9/06
Posts: 410
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Posted on: 12/30/08 3:23 PM ET
In reply to sewsewfun
The dealer I work for sells Bernina, Babylock, Janome, Pfaff and Viking, and this holds true on all these brands. I also work part time, well one day a week for a Brother dealer and the same holds true with them. And as far as I know it is true with all models, sergers included. I know for some it is difficult to get to the dealer, but I guess for some this is an important thing to look at when buying a new machine.
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John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
  
Member since 9/15/08
Posts: 135
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Posted on: 12/30/08 3:30 PM ET
In reply to Sewing Diva Susan
That's insteresting to know.
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 12/30/08 3:37 PM ET
In reply to Sewing Diva Susan
Wow, this is really important news. I have some questions though...does the warranty state ..if the machine is not maintained and cleaned yearly that the warranty is null and void? You did mentiion that this persons machine came with the Gold Standard warranty..but if paying for the extended service no matter the brand..I would be upset if my warranty was no longer good..even though I had paid for it..and my warranty does not state..that the machine "must " be serviced every year.
My Viking dealer gives a free service the first year if you purchase a machine from him and once the year is up he no longer offers this free service if no warranty was purchased.
Years ago I had a Kenmore under warranty serviced without having any previous yearly maintainance without questions asked by the service dept. The Sears policy under their service contract gave the free yearly cleaning and adjustment of the machine under contract no matter if you want it or not or even do it or not..so is this rule a new thing with dealers?

-- Edited on 12/30/08 3:44 PM --
  
Member since 1/18/03
Posts: 356
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Re: Dont let this happen to you (posted on 12/30/08 4:44 PM ET)
I would imagine that the warranty/service agreement would explicity state the terms, but I think your suggestion Sewing Diva Susan of putting some sort of sticker on that machines your store sells would go some way to conveying the importance to buyers..... I for one would never have imagined such an arrangement would be inplace, and like most people, I'm not super-diligent about reading service contracts. Caveat emptor and all that, but a disappointed customer is always a situation best avoided. Make those stickers! Make them bright orange!
Some folks would still peel them off, but they might read it while they;re peeling...
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www.thisisemilykate.blogspot.com
  
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