Well, my cuties family, I seem to have been taken. My Bernina Deco 600 that I just bought used in April of this year, was not in good shape. Me, not knowing anything about embroidery at the time relied on my Bernina dealer (that I had been going to for about 2 years with my other Bernina sewing machine) to be reputable. When I bought it, which I paid about $465 (I know that is not much for a machine but I couldn't afford much more than that) I was shown the basics and rushed out the door. Here's your machine now go away attitude. I stupidly thought she was busy. Thinking back on it now though, that has been her attitude all the long. She didn't want to deal with me - I didn't represent big money. My machine was having a problem, and I took it to a different Bernina dealer to be repaired. Big repairs with my machine. It will now cost me $350 to repair it and I have only had it 6 months. I am so upset - I don't know what to do. I have invested much more, magic box, cards, software, thread, etc..... And now to find out I was taken. The reason I believe she knew that the machine was not in good shape is that she said she had her repair person look it over. When I tried to clean out the bobin compartment the screws were tightened down so hard I couldn't losen them. I believe that was done purposely so whoever bought the machine would need to bring it back for repairs. And the worst part is every Christmas gift was based around that machine. And at this time I don't have the funds to get it repaired right away. I did report her to the Better Business Bureau. I don't hold out much hope for any resolution because of her attitude. I know I will never do business there again. Ever! It has taken me 2 whole days just to get my blood pressure back to normal. I honestly don't know what else I can do...I have too much invested, and can't afford a new machine. Guess, she got me....

Thinking of you. This sounds horrible for you so I hope some good comes of it.

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

It looks like it could maybe work out....too soon to say but I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

Thank you so much - It means so much to me that all of you care. There are wonderful people here at cuties I am so glad I found you all.

so sorry for uoy and the way you were treated, hope you can do something with the advices already given.hugs and * for you. hope the problems will be solved.

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by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Thank you so much - It means so much to me that all of you care. There are wonderful people here at cuties I am so glad I found you all.

You all have given me awesome advice
I don't have enough words.

Angel, trying to contact directly Bernina ... For the good reputation of their brand, they will do something for you ... and ask your dealer to do a better job at the same time !!!!

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....
So we shall see what they do next.

Here is anothet avenue for you.....as a buisness owner myself, you don't want to mess with the states buisness license department...we are called the ccb here....every company has to get a buisness license...they have to have a bond and buisness insurance in order to do buisness in the states....CCB stands for contractors construction board....since we do construction this is who we have to go through, but every buisness has to post their license number where the public can see it...You should have the right to get the buisness permit number and bonding # and report them to their license board.....when a complaint it filed on a buisness the state/city will send out a person to investigate the accusation....they will work with both parties to resolve the issue....almost in every case the consumer is the one to win on issues unless there has been adequate proof the buisness has done everything in their power to handle or correctify it.....Because they are in a different field, I do not know if you need to go to the city planning/buisness department to check where to go....I hope this helps you....Note the BBB is a place that puts complaints on file, but does not do as much as the licensing board can....In that department, they can pull a buisness license until actions are taken care of.....there is also the buisnesses bond and insurance you can try to go through for some sort of action....if a buisness has an action on file, they can also be put on hold until the matter is solved.... I am in agreement with the certified letter...But you need to give the company a chance to fix the problem or replace it before you file charges,,,if they choose not to do so in the time you give them, then you need to tell them of the actions you will be taken.....the courts will look at this as a good will on your part which goes a long way for the consumer....Send a certified letter to the employee, cc to the buisness owner, license board and their bonding/insurance company & Bernina....GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US UPDATED....just remember in the certified letter, you need to tell of the problem, what has been done up to so far, what you want to see happen, a time limit in which they can fix or resolve it in and the actions to be taken if it is not handled....this is to be given to all involved...also get the certified letter to be noted to you it was received by the correct person...in which case I would send it to the buisness owner and cc to everyone else.....

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Great advice !!! I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

So sorry to hear of u'r bad experience. Here in South Africa we have a Consumer Watchdog and a radio show that you can send u'r complaints to, also a newspaper that take u'r case up if u don't get any satisfaction from a dealer. Hope you get the machine sorted out without paying out any more money and use all the resourses available to you. Good luck, hugs.

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Thank you for your support - it is so very wonderful to have all of you as friends and I am so new here. This is awesome. I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

Again, I really appreciate all of you!

We're all behind you. Let them know you have 10,000 cute fans behind you, who also by the way have Embroidery machines! good luck and let us know what happens. Keep pushing and it will get fixed at a low cost or no cost at all. Happened with my SE

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

ahhhhhhhhhhhh....you are all so wonderful!

Angel, contact Bernina in Switzerland directly - that is THE WORLDWIDE HQ and they WILL respond promptly!

All the Best!
*4U!

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

Goodness, Angel, I am so sorry to hear of your bad luck here. I hope you get some help soon. It is bad when a person cannot do the things you want to, and also it is worse if it ends up costing you so much.
Hugs and God bless
Marietta

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

yes it is....but I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

U mentioned that it is Bernina dealer. Then, u need to scan all your documents and provide to Bernina. There is bernina dealer in my town which was taked the dealership because it was not providing proper repair to customers who had Bernina sewing machine. If u have local friends that have the same experience, start grouping them together to have big volumn and big voice. And the key thing don't be afraid to mention the dealership's name which gets out quickly. Another trick that I learn from my local friends is get into the dealer's email list and start populating your bad experience to those in the email list. U have to be aggressive. When u start doing the email things, u will see the dealer attitude changes pretty soon.

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....So we shall see.... I am not going to give up. One of the good things is that the Bernina dealer (a different one) that has my machine for repairs is on my side also. So maybe I will be able to get some where.

Angel I'm so sorry I have been burned a few times also in my yrs. when I was young I was dumber than dirt LOL. Heed some of the good advice you have been given here. If nothing comes of it all(u can always picket the store ) Ha! chalk it up as a lesson learned from life, never go back to her & make sure everyone you come in contact with that sews or embroiders knows about the shop. I do hope something will be done to help you. Lillian *

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Lillian, you all are so great here...brings tears to my eyes that I have so many wonderful friends here and I am so new here. It just is so very much money. I followed some of your advice already. I emailed bernina and I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

I am so sorry to hear of your problems. If this women is not the owner I surely would talk to the owner about helping to resolve this situation. Hugs and prayers. Cindy B. *4U

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

thank you for all your support - this is the very best group around!!

Angel... I always believe That the squeeky wheel gets the oil. Speak to the manager or the owner. If you don't get satisfaction, raise the voice a little in a crowded shop and they will quickly try to hush you so others will not hear. They have to look good to other potential customers. If that is not working go to bernina and file a complaint and keep asking for the higher ups if your not getting the answers you need. The higher up you go the faster the porblem gets fixed. Always keep notes of who you spoke to and at what time and what they said. Don't let it go, keep fighting until the problem is resolved. If nothing happens go to the TV consumer investigation units they often resolve the problems. Who wants bad press. It has always worked for me. Good luck I will be cheering for you! Suzanne

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by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I am not going to let it go....Thanks for the cheers. Love ya all!

How about calling your local television station, we have a "Call 3" in our state and the station would go after the dealership. Embarrassment goes a long way in negative publicity! Good luck, so sorry this happened to you.

3 comments

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Not so sure she cares about embarrassment - she deals mostly with the Amish and that won't affect her trade. If I was Amish (and had their money) I wouldn't have been treated that way.

by marjialexa 20 Nov 2009

I'm really sorry for your bad experience, what a lousy dealer!! But, um, ok, selling to the Amish? Is she selling solar-powered sewing machines? We have a lot of Amish around here, and as far as I know they don't use electricity for anything, let alone an embroidery machine. How would that work, exactly? Just curious, truly. They won't even use gasoline engines. Hugs, Marji

by angel777th 21 Nov 2009

Marji, the Amish car batteries to run their machines. It is quite weird but I have seen the hook ups. The ones around here even have computers. Of course, they don't own any of this....they just USE it. That my friend is how they "Dance with the Devil"

Since you did say that it was your Bernina Dealer, I would write or email Bernina. Tell them of your bad customer experience. Tell your friends and neighbors about this experience. Word of mouth is the best way to get back at a retailer.

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I am going to do that - I did email Bernina on another aspect of the machine quite awhile ago but have yet to hear back from them on that issue. Not sure they care either.

I personally would send a certified letter to the dealer you bought the machine, better business bureau and Bernina explaining what happen in detail and how you feel this has impacted your respect towards Bernina products. I have a Bernina myself. Did she give you a warranty??? How long ago did you buy the machine and in what state. There are lemon laws in some states.

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by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

Humm I didn't think of the certified letter idea... great idea. I bought the machine April 2009 in Millersburg, Ohio. I will have to check the lemon laws here in Ohio......GREAT IDEA! Thank you! 0:)

I hope the BBB does something such as contacting Bernina for you. This dealer should be reported to Bernina. I am so sorry to hear this happened to you. Hugs, Mary

1 comment

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I got an email back from BBB this morning saying that they sent my complaint to the dealer. I don't know whether they are a member or not but that is not supposed to matter. I thought that it was quickly handled by the BBB.

I feel sorry for you

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by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I feel pretty stupid - I have been sewing and using sewing machines since I was 10 ...... a long long time! LOL! I think I should have known...but I have never had an embroidery machine. Thank you.

Gosh Angel, I'm so sorry for this. Was this a bernina store? What about contacting Bernina?
Hang in there.. Sandy *4u

2 comments

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

It is a Bernina dealership. I did email Bernina. I am not sure that they care since they sell so many machines. Who knows they may write back to me. Thanks Sandy I appreciate all of you... you all really help in everything.

by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I was wrong about them not caring....I got an email from the Bernina District Manager. With his phone number no less....I talked with him and he is going to talk with the woman who owns the shop. I am impressed with Bernina....

That is despicable! I do hope the BBB will do something for you.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

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by angel777th 19 Nov 2009

I agree....I did get an email back from the BBB this morning saying that they forwarded my complaint to the business. I thought that was really quick for the BBB. We will see what happens. I'm hoping she will refund some of the money I spent to offset the repairs. She will probably want me to bring it out there....That I will not do...No more money to her! Thanks Meganne