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On a used machine... (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 6/24/08 7:52 PM ET
This may end up in the rant thread, but I am hoping not... I bought my DD a used Kenmore at a very reputable dealer locally for Christmas 2006. Sometime in 2007 (long before this past Christmas for sure) it just stopped working. It got slower and slower until it just wouldn't go anymore. Because she is several hours away from me and visits without a car, we haven't been able to get it to the shop until now. I took it apart as much as I dared and the motor runs (the gear spins very well) and the needle will go up and down, but the gear between the two seems to be the obstacle. I couldn't really get at it to move it. The belts looked fine, but I don't know how loose or tight they should be.
So I took it to the dealer and explained the problem, told him what I had seen and he said they would give it a good overhaul and see what they could do. Here's the thing - I only paid about $150 for the machine and the overhaul was going to be $70. It doesn't need a full servicing because it was in light use for less than a year. The reason I bought an older, metal, mechanical machine was so that it would run for many, many years without needing repairs and those repairs would be less than half the cost of the machine. I explained this and acknowledged that their time is costly and that I realized it was well past whatever warranty they put on used machines (I have no idea what their warranty is on used machines, but I think there was one) but it still seemed absurd to spend that amount to fix the type of problem that probably was there when I bought it.
*Sigh* He said he would talk to his boss so I will have to wait and see. Thanks for listening and I will let you know what happens.
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So I took it to the dealer and explained the problem, told him what I had seen and he said they would give it a good overhaul and see what they could do. Here's the thing - I only paid about $150 for the machine and the overhaul was going to be $70. It doesn't need a full servicing because it was in light use for less than a year. The reason I bought an older, metal, mechanical machine was so that it would run for many, many years without needing repairs and those repairs would be less than half the cost of the machine. I explained this and acknowledged that their time is costly and that I realized it was well past whatever warranty they put on used machines (I have no idea what their warranty is on used machines, but I think there was one) but it still seemed absurd to spend that amount to fix the type of problem that probably was there when I bought it.
*Sigh* He said he would talk to his boss so I will have to wait and see. Thanks for listening and I will let you know what happens.
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Posted on: 6/24/08 8:21 PM ET
In reply to tourist
Please, I beg you. DON'T pay $70 for servicing a mechanical machine. You can do it yourself.
Join wefixit Yahoo group and post the question to them. There are TONS of experts out there that are just waiting to help you. (I sound like a time-life operator, huh
)
Anyway...join that group. There are also several Kenmore yahoo groups, too. Any of them are waiting and willing to help you.
Save yourself the $70 and learn to fix it yourself.
(stepping off my soap box and putting my megaphone away).
HTH,
Donna
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Join wefixit Yahoo group and post the question to them. There are TONS of experts out there that are just waiting to help you. (I sound like a time-life operator, huh
)Anyway...join that group. There are also several Kenmore yahoo groups, too. Any of them are waiting and willing to help you.
Save yourself the $70 and learn to fix it yourself.
(stepping off my soap box and putting my megaphone away).
HTH,
Donna
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Posted on: 6/24/08 8:38 PM ET
In reply to tourist
My understanding is that Sears does not honor warranty repairs on used machines even if you buy them from their stores. So I wouldn't count on any assistance there.
Posted on: 6/24/08 8:46 PM ET
Has this machine ever been oiled?
Posted on: 6/25/08 0:09 AM ET
In reply to tourist
That's a very fair price for servicing, but it also sounds like there will be a needed part perhaps? At any rate the cost added to the cost of the machine is still probably a better investment in a sound mechanical machine which once fixed may run for years. You didn't tell us the model. The part that doesn't seem to run may be one of the many plastic material gears that old machines started having years ago - the 60s? But once replaced are good for many years.
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Posted on: 6/25/08 0:35 AM ET
If you are good with mechanical machines, I too recommend the Yahoo sites. That will be your least expensive way to go. If you aren't mechanically minded or don't have the time, $70 from a reliable sewing machine mechanic is a fair price. The cost of the part would be added to this. I have an old Kenny from the early 70's and I would put the money into fixing it. It is a very reliable and solid machine.
Posted on: 6/25/08 5:58 AM ET
In reply to tourist
hi ,where in bc are you at ,if you are close to me i would look at your machine for free......
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Posted on: 6/25/08 10:26 AM ET
Yes - the machine was serviced before they sold it to me, I'm sure. Everything inside looks clean and all but the one part moves well. I didn't buy it from Sears, but from a good dealer, 2nd hand.
I don't have the model number - it would have been a good idea to write it down and/or post the question before I took it to the shop, eh? I have read here about the yahoo groups but I guess I was thinking the shop would be a quick fix and have it done by the time DD comes to visit next.
I absolutely am ok with the fact that they have to charge for their time. The day of a free estimate for most things is over, that's for sure. I've worked in a place where customers seemed to think the techs could spend an hour or so trying to figure out a problem and not charge for it. You can't run a business that way - well, not if you expect to make a living at it, anyway. I think what has me a bit miffed is that he seemed to not listen to me when I described the problem and the various steps I had taken in looking at it. I told him exactly the place that wasn't working and exactly what the problem was. A bit like going to the doctor and telling him you have a pain in your foot after stepping on a sharp object and being told you need a full MRI blood tests and CAT scan, you know?
I may go in and pick it up, though it is a half hour drive... I'll have to think about that.
newsewman - I will pm you.
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I don't have the model number - it would have been a good idea to write it down and/or post the question before I took it to the shop, eh? I have read here about the yahoo groups but I guess I was thinking the shop would be a quick fix and have it done by the time DD comes to visit next.
I absolutely am ok with the fact that they have to charge for their time. The day of a free estimate for most things is over, that's for sure. I've worked in a place where customers seemed to think the techs could spend an hour or so trying to figure out a problem and not charge for it. You can't run a business that way - well, not if you expect to make a living at it, anyway. I think what has me a bit miffed is that he seemed to not listen to me when I described the problem and the various steps I had taken in looking at it. I told him exactly the place that wasn't working and exactly what the problem was. A bit like going to the doctor and telling him you have a pain in your foot after stepping on a sharp object and being told you need a full MRI blood tests and CAT scan, you know?

I may go in and pick it up, though it is a half hour drive... I'll have to think about that.
newsewman - I will pm you.
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 6/25/08 10:33 AM ET
I agree that if you can't fix it yourself, $70 is a very fair price and worth it to fix. I would pay $70 to get my 30-year old Kenmore fixed. I doubt it cost that much new. :)
Posted on: 6/25/08 11:27 AM ET
The price does not sound high, but then if you do not think the machine is worth the expense you will have to consider replacing the machine.
Prices are going sky high on everything but wages.
Warranties are limited to the original owner.
Hope newsewman is nearby and can help you.
-- Edited on 6/25/08 11:28 AM --
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Prices are going sky high on everything but wages.
Warranties are limited to the original owner.
Hope newsewman is nearby and can help you.
-- Edited on 6/25/08 11:28 AM --
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