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Member since 12/1/07
Posts: 104
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Posted on: 5/26/10 1:57 PM ET
I am so grateful for all of the advice I have gotten from PR people. My latest dilema is:

I have an opportunity to buy a lightly used babylock imagine (previous version) for $650. It only comes with Instruction Manual, Quick Reference card, Foot Pedal and Cord, and Cover. The person is about an hour away. OR, I can buy a new imagine (new version) for $1300 + $120 tax from a dealer near my home. The dealer price includes a 6 hr. learn to use the machine class as well as serger club (he really only sells BL sergers) and 2 annual services.

I have not used a serger, but have signed up for a serger class at my community college for next month (40ish people in the class, many brands, but 16 hrs). I sew lots of knit t-shirts.

Would you buy used and figure you can learn enough in the community college class, OR would you pay the extra $670 for dealer support? There is not much wriggle room with the dealer.
  
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 20242
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Posted on: 5/26/10 2:12 PM ET
In reply to newbie2008
I will leave the whether to buy question unanswered for now.. I just think there is too much to consider to advise you off the top of my head. But if you do buy the used.. I would definitely take it in for servicing before you go to that class.. unless you know enough yourself to check out and use that machine before then. Nothing is worse than taking a machine to class that will not work properly. You lose too much class instruction time trying to fix it.. Voice of experience here..who should have known to check it out before I went.. It was a brand new bernina.. the class was free.. but before class I had gone to the dealer and asked for a supply list to take to class..and purchased those items.. Among those items was a package of needles..and guess what.. wrong needle. sigh.. At least I was not charge a service fee by the tech.. but how embarrassing was that for both the dealer and me.
  
Member since 7/6/04
Posts: 782
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Posted on: 5/26/10 2:27 PM ET
In reply to newbie2008
Is there a way that you could check out the Craigslist machine (or, better yet, have it checked out by a technician) before buying it? Even $650 is a significant chunk of change.

I'm wary because I've had a couple of students buy machines from Craigslist and both machines were non-working. These students paid good money (IOW could have bought a new or good used machine from a dealer) for a machine they couldn't use. I think sellers sometimes are unfamiliar with machines that they've been given or have "inherited" and sell them without having them checked over first.

If you know that the the machine is in tip-top working order, then the community college class could be a good way to go. Otherwise, I'd opt for the dealer in whom you have confidence and who promises service (yes!) and classes.
  
Member since 6/4/07
Posts: 800
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Posted on: 5/26/10 4:51 PM ET
Maybe the party on craigslist will demo and let you try it. Be sure to try the threading. Stitch out your standard 4 thread overlock and rolled hem and check the tensions. Unless the machine was really abused, $650 is a good price for an Imagine even if you add the cost of a dealer checkup. My dealer gives classes for using a serger. You do not have to own a babylock. The operation of a serger may vary brand to brand, but the techniques for serging are all the same . The manual explains the operation of the machine very well. It's an easy machine to use. Good luck.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 5/26/10 5:20 PM ET
In reply to newbie2008
So much depends on your budget and what you can afford. If you can afford the extra money and want the peace of mind, then go with the dealer.

I have had two used sergers. The first was bought from a dealer and included lessons. The second was bought from another PR member. The PR member had the machine set up for me to try when I went to pick it up. I got to try a variety of fabrics and she showed me how to use the differential feed, which I did not have on my previous machine.

If you buy the used one, have it serviced before you start your class at the community college.

The Singer Serger Book may be a good investment for you as well. It is machine agnostic and has lots of good tips.

I am sure you will get enough information from the community course to get yourself started serging.

The most important thing to do when you buy a serger is to use it. Try out the various stitches, try various tension settings etc. Make up a note book to paste your samples and write down the settings you used.


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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 6/7/05
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Posted on: 5/26/10 10:02 PM ET
I would certainly check into the Craigslist machine. Make it clear that you will want to sew on the machine when going to look at it. At that price, I'm sure the seller assumes you'll want to check out the machine. Take several large scraps of fabric, 4 spools of thread and two needles. If you don't know much about sergers, ask a sewing friend to go with you. Allow at least an hour of sewing time. Unless the drive is considerable, don't feel like you have to make a decision that day.

I've looked at several machines on craigslist. Each time, I've taken my own sewing supplies and spent some time sewing. The first one I looked at was an older embroidery capable Brother. I took emboidery thread, stabilizer, new needle and a button to test the button hole. I bought that one for $300.

Next machine was at a doctor's VERY nice house. The machine was worn out and no amount of adjusting tensions or threading produced a nice stitch. For the $30 she was asking, it should have been thrown in the trash.

Looked at a Viking that was missing major parts, bobbin case, and book. The ad claimed it was brand new, only used once, perfect condition....

Just bought a 3-4 year old mid range Singer at a yardsale. In perfect condition, included the manual and appeared to have all the original accessories. For my $25, it is exactly what I was looking for, a quilting class/traveling/12yo DD machine. Sews beautifully!

I've also bought my Bernina 630 off ebay - a wonderful transaction. And a Brother 8500...that was so poorly packed to ship that it was broken beyond repair when it arrived.

Be prepared, but certainly don't rule out saving so much money before really doind your research.
  
Member since 8/18/02
Posts: 1578
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Posted on: 5/26/10 10:07 PM ET
Will the dealer throw in the extra feet worth about $200?
Also ask the dealer if he will make it 5 annual services.

That would even the playing field.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 5/26/10 10:08 PM ET
I once bought a serger with free lessons, and the lessons were only available on Tuesdays from from 9 to 2. I was never able to make it.
I would try the CC class, and if you need some more instruction, you could pay for a private lesson and still be ahead. There are also great books and videos for sergers.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 5/26/10 10:30 PM ET
It is buyer beware on Craigslist...yes, true everywhere, but locally my Bernina dealer had a burglary during the night and the stolen machines were listed on craigslist within a couple of days. One was in our city and another in a not-too-distant city. The police helped track the serial numbers.

What was the obvious clue? There were no other active listings on Craigslist in a large region except for those machines which matched the models stolen.

I've sold sewing items on Craigslist and enjoy ebay. I'd like to think sewing people are the most honest group around. But, my faith in "nearly new" or "new" machines on ebay/craigslist is now at least worth a second thought.

There is a Bernina dealer in S. Florida who supposedly lost their dealership and is sellling machines on ebay. I asked about those machines since it was odd.

Just do your research.
(ETA: I meant to say the stolen machines were posted on Craigslist..not ebay)
-- Edited on 5/27/10 2:58 PM --
  
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