by spendlove Moderator 20 Dec 2014

So many of you seem to have your machines in for repair at the moment. I'd like to share my experience yesterday with you.

I thought I had just enough time to put an applique design on a tea towel to complete the last of my Christmas gifts. The first colour began OK but then the machine started to labour and the hoop carrier could not move forwards and backwards, only left to right. In a panic I pressed the stop button, switched the machine off and on again. (That always seems to work for computers!) The scream of anguish from the machine was awful. The carrier on the embroidery arm was fixed in place so I could not even put the machine in it's case, so it went in the boot of the car as it was.
My local machine shop about five miles away has only had embroidery machines for a year so it isn't where I bought my machine but I have know the people their for many years. Luckily John was in the shop and he sat me down while he took his screwdriver to the machine. He found a tiny piece of thread wrapped around the gears stopping them moving. He fished it out and put everything back together.
If I had taken the machine to the dealer I bought it from, (50 mile round trip with horrendous traffic) they would have kept it for three weeks and charged me an arm and a leg, but John did it for nothing. I know where I'll be going if I decide to upgrade!
BTW I finished the tea towel when I got home - I just made the design a bit bigger so it covered the scars!

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by cfidl 22 Dec 2014

I like this story. I wish I could find someone dedicated to the cause as your folks are. Merry Christmas Sue and Happiness in 2015.

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 22 Dec 2014

Thank you - and likewise to you.

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by Patricia109 22 Dec 2014

Luckily you had the brains to stop and try the 'new' dealer :-)
He sounds like my serviceman. A great fellow.

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by blueeyedblonde 22 Dec 2014

Luck was on your side!
I looked at my stabilizer one day and thought - what a small hole to make this unusable! So I figured I would try the purple glue stick that turns clear when dry - that way you know when it's safe to use it. It worked great and even when I hooped it.

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by justonlyme 22 Dec 2014

I need a friend like yours! My machine misbehaves far too often.
I'm very glad that it was something small and easily remedied!! Good luck with any further stitching right now!!!

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by katydid 21 Dec 2014

Nice to know a JOHN!! lucky you!

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by justsew 21 Dec 2014

Wow you are a very lucky person, I will be needing the name phone number ans address of your helpful man PLEASE,just in case.
I do know that the Brother dealer that I got my new one from costs the earth. Thanks Sue.
Hugs Pam.

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 22 Dec 2014

Will let you know by email.

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by mi30kaja 21 Dec 2014

I am not game to do any FSL on mine at the moment as I see little droplets of oil appearing. With the Christmas holidays upon us I think i would be without it for months.

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by Leaha 21 Dec 2014

I'm thinking this is whats wrong with mine as it has the exact same symptoms...to bad I'm across the pond.

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by susiesembroidery 21 Dec 2014

That was your good luck to go to trustworthy people. I am so happy that you got sorted out (I mean your machine) hehehe! Happy Christmas.

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 22 Dec 2014

Me next!

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by clawton 21 Dec 2014

Lucky you to have a great repairman! Mine was in for repair for 4 weeks.

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by crafter2243 Moderator 20 Dec 2014

Lucky you. You will trust them in the future. Glad it all turned out .

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 22 Dec 2014

I trusted them already - I bought an electronic knitting machine from them years ago and they were always helpful with that. They have been Janome dealers for ever, but have only had embroidery machines for the last year.

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by dailylaundry 20 Dec 2014

You are one lucky gal!!!! My repair man is about 25 miles away - which isn't too bad. But, nothing is free there. On a positive note though - I might get my machine back today!!! Happy your machine problems were cleared up so quickly!!! Hugs, Laura*

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 20 Dec 2014

Hope you do!

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by airyfairy 20 Dec 2014

I am so pleased that you are all sorted

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by dragonflyer 20 Dec 2014

Pheeew...sounds like your local dealer is a jem!

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 20 Dec 2014

He certainly is!

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by 02kar Moderator 20 Dec 2014

I'm so glad this episode ended so well. I wish I had someone so close who is so knowledgeable and kind. Everyone seems to be more interested in charging as much money as possible now.

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by manami 20 Dec 2014

I'm glad that John figured out what was wrong with your machine. Dealers charge arms and legs, like you said, and all the waiting! I have 2 embroidery machines, one is not good, and have to have a service, maybe in the next year! Happy Holidays, Yoriko

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by pennifold 20 Dec 2014

Wow, Sue, now that's good service. I'm so glad that he could do it for you straight away. It's always frustrating having to wait when you've got lots of jobs to be done. I've just got my Dongle back and boy it's been fun today downloading all the designs I've bought over the past 3 weeks. Took me over 2 hours earlier today! Good luck with all the rest of your Christmas sewing. Love Chris

2 comments
spendlove by spendlove 20 Dec 2014

Glad you got a happy result in the end.

Patricia109 by Patricia109 22 Dec 2014

Chris cannot remember if you lost your last dongle or it what. You have been waiting a long time for a replacement.
If it was lost, I saw a great trick in one place I visited - a large, light weight plastic toy was attached to the item that would go walk-about. The item never went missing again.
Enjoy your new dongle.

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by pacmp 20 Dec 2014

Sounds like an absolutely perfect day as your machine is happy your friendly service minded repair shop was top notch and likely has earned many future sales over your prior service company and to top it all off, you can now stitch in leisure as all your gifts are complete for the holiday's, so now it is time to totally enjoy every moment of the holiday season!
Happy Holidays! Enjoy!

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by eggyannie 20 Dec 2014

Its so good to fnd someone who is not cash minded these days and so glad you have managed to complete your gifts in time Nice idea about enlarging the design to hide the scars. will have to keep that in mind.

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by marianb 20 Dec 2014

You are very lucky to know such nice people, sometimes it's the smallest thing that gives our beloved machines heartburn.. glad you could get it fixed.. Marian

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