Industrial - Equipment Supplies, Over Locking Machines, Sewing Machines
East London Eastern Cape
BERNINA East London
Shop 2 and 3, BEREA MALL, Corner of Chamberlain and Pearce Street, Berea, East London
GPS co-ordinates : 32°59'33”S, 27°54'39"E - Phone (043) 7268133’ Email: bernina.el@berninael.co.za - Use our SMS service – 0812344638
How To Buy A Sewing Machine, Embroidery Machine, Overlocker, Coverstitch Or Quilting Machine
1. The warrantee is nothing more than the manufacturer’s confidence in their own product. The longer the warrantee, the better.
2. Is there some type of warrantee on parts availability? Ask how long parts are available after the last machine of your type is manufactured.
3. Is there a technician on site? This is a very important point as you could incur extra costs (transport in some cases) and especially time with your machine been sent to another location for maintenance and repairs. Also, you may have a very minor problem with your product that could be easily sorted out so you can keep using it, if the technician is on site.
4. Ask technical questions –can you SHOW ME the Service Manual, the Parts Manual and the Gauges that are used to service or repair your particular purchase. We are talking about peace of mind.
5. Does the sale come with free lessons, and do you get to keep a copy thereof for future reference. A video with your purchase is not a lesson.
6. Where are the machines manufactured? If machines are manufactured in an area known for mass production and cost cutting, the product could be inferior. Use the internet to find out where products are made.
7. Buy from a dealership, not a big chain store. The man in the blue vest can’t help you thread your new machine—he may not even know they sell sewing machines. When you buy from a dealership you are also gaining a resource, which gives you assistance, experience, advice, and usually a machine owner class where they can guide you through all the features of the machine and teach you how best to clean and maintain your machine. NB – a lot of dealerships do not repair or maintain machine’s from a chain store because of quality.
8. Overlockers – A good overlocker can sew through different types of fabric WITHOUT CHANGING THE TENSIONS.
9. Do they have stock? – Sounds silly, but once you have made up your mind, does the seller know when you can get the product. Most sellers cannot carry stock of all machines, but efficiency in knowing what the parent company has available is paramount. Most Dealerships receive a stock situation at least weekly or better still daily. Does the seller offer wrapping for Birthday presents, etc.
10. Get the best machine you can, for what you can spend. This doesn’t mean the one with the most bells and whistles but one made with quality parts. One that isn’t going to break on you in a matter of months and not be worth repairing. Consider this an INVESTMENT, like a good camera or bike.
