Big box vs. dealers

[soul60s]

One way also is to look at the "MADE IN" sticker. It wont be on the box but on the machine inside the box. The models Walmart has on display are bolted down so you cant see the underplate of the machine to see where is was made. These machines are most likely made in China, Vietnam, Russia or even Czech Rep.

Brother and Singer have these models specifically made for big box stores knowing full well how cheaply they are manufactured. They may make $50 per machine when sold but they sell millions of them a year. Even knowing their names are on these machines, it now comes down to making money and not so much on the integrity of their name.

Not sure if there any manufacturing plants in the US for any brand , but you can depend on the ones built in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Better parts and more precise specifications are expected from these locations. These are the models sold at dealers.

So from what I have read, the machine I am looking at, PC 420PRW is not sold in Walmart. It is sold on Amazon, QVC (or HSN, don't remember which) and one other place that for the life of me I can't remember. I am not sure but I don't think Brother dealers carry it either (please someone correct me if I am wrong). Not sure if any of this is going to make a difference. So Amazon might be my only choice.

[easyquilts]

It seems to me that Americans shop differently then, say, 10 years or more ago... Many of us enjoy the convenience, and fun, of shopping online, and everyone shops at one big box store or another.... When you come down to it, there aren't that many dealers within a comfortable, or convenient driving distance..... Many people take the path of least resistance, and either shop online, or shop at their neighborhood big box store.....

Another factor is price..... Dealers are usually expensive..... Not everyone can hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for a sewing machine.... Many quilters live in tight budgets.....a Brother sold at Joann's....with lots of features can be very appealing, especially when the more expensive Janome....sold by a dealer had fewer bells and whistled (but is a solid machine ). It often comes down to how barfly you want, of need, a sewing machine....

It seems to me....from watching lots of YouTube videos, that many people actually order their machines from Amazon, which is a good company to deal with.... And the customers are usually very pleased with their purchases. It 's the way America shops now.

I know that dealer models are manufactured with higher standards than the machines sold by WM, Hancock's, Joann 's, etc... But these stores...and Amazon.....are the only choices for a lot of people..... I have to say that I sense a little sewing machine snobbery going on.... I know that I am happy to say that I have bought all three of my Janome 's from a dealer, but I may not be able to buy my next machine the same way...... Will I feel compelled.....because of peer pressure....to not mention the fact?

We all know that a Mercedes is a better car than my little Focus, but the Focus us what I can afford, and I am perfectly happy with it. So... Should I feel bad if my sewing machine isn't too of the line? Of course not......and I don't think most people do... They buy what is either convenient or affordable..... There is no need to be apologetic.... It's all good....

Sorry to ramble on....and on,,,,,

[soul60s]

It seems to me that Americans shop differently then, say, 10 years or more ago... Many of us enjoy the convenience, and fun, of shopping online, and everyone shops at one big box store or another.... When you come down to it, there aren't that many dealers within a comfortable, or convenient driving distance..... Many people take the path of least resistance, and either shop online, or shop at their neighborhood big box store.....

Another factor is price..... Dealers are usually expensive..... Not everyone can hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for a sewing machine.... Many quilters live in tight budgets.....a Brother sold at Joann's....with lots of features can be very appealing, especially when the more expensive Janome....sold by a dealer had fewer bells and whistled (but is a solid machine ). It often comes down to how barfly you want, of need, a sewing machine....

It seems to me....from watching lots of YouTube videos, that many people actually order their machines from Amazon, which is a good company to deal with.... And the customers are usually very pleased with their purchases. It 's the way America shops now.

I know that dealer models are manufactured with higher standards than the machines sold by WM, Hancock's, Joann 's, etc... But these stores...and Amazon.....are the only choices for a lot of people..... I have to say that I sense a little sewing machine snobbery going on.... I know that I am happy to say that I have bought all three of my Janome 's from a dealer, but I may not be able to buy my next machine the same way...... Will I feel compelled.....because of peer pressure....to not mention the fact?

We all know that a Mercedes is a better car than my little Focus, but the Focus us what I can afford, and I am perfectly happy with it. So... Should I feel bad if my sewing machine isn't too of the line? Of course not......and I don't think most people do... They buy what is either convenient or affordable..... There is no need to be apologetic.... It's all good....

Sorry to ramble on....and on,,,,,

You are right. I am a very down to earth person and live within my means. I am not ashamed to buy a Brother. I have read hundreds of reviews on this particular machine and only 1 was negative. I think those odds are d*mn good. Brother is a good line. Even my cheap Brother has never given me a problem. I am also considering another Brother... a Brother 1500s. It's mechanical and only straight stitch but has the bells and whistles I am looking for. I watched a grueling 36 minutes video in Japanese. OMG they moved so slow in that video. I have to sit on this one a while. It's also $250 more.

[Cat n bull]

Yes, the machines sold at big box stores ARE lesser quality than machines sold through dealers.

Yes, Brother did damage their reputation by making these machines, (and continuing to make them) but they do also make some super SWEET machines, some at very reasonable prices.

I have heard great things about the Brother PC420. A few have been problematic, but that seems to be the rare exception, the norm is they are wonderful machines.

[laf512]

You are right. I am a very down to earth person and live within my means. I am not ashamed to buy a Brother. I have read hundreds of reviews on this particular machine and only 1 was negative. I think those odds are d*mn good. Brother is a good line. Even my cheap Brother has never given me a problem. I am also considering another Brother... a Brother 1500s. It's mechanical and only straight stitch but has the bells and whistles I am looking for. I watched a grueling 36 minutes video in Japanese. OMG they moved so slow in that video. I have to sit on this one a while. It's also $250 more.

I have both of the machines you are considering...PC420 and the brother 1500. I like them both a lot! It would be hard for me to choose just one! If you mainly plan to quilt, then I would go for the 1500. I like to sew clothes and other children's items so I need more than just a straight stitch machine. I did not hesitate to buy both of my machines online.

[easyquilts]

Joanne... There us a very good video on You Tube. Re, the PC420......which I like a lot.

The video is by a guy with curly hair and glasses, and for dome reason, the machine actually photographs backwards. But, the information is good.... It has a lot of very nice features...

Found it!

http://youtu.be/-QAme5OoDt0

[soul60s]

Yes, the machines sold at big box stores ARE lesser quality than machines sold through dealers.

Yes, Brother did damage their reputation by making these machines, (and continuing to make them) but they do also make some super SWEET machines, some at very reasonable prices.

I have heard great things about the Brother PC420. A few have been problematic, but that seems to be the rare exception, the norm is they are wonderful machines.

I checked out a bunch of reviews at patternreview.com, Amazon, here, blogs, and endless google searches. I just signed up at patternreview.com today and they have a LOT of info. Every machine out there has had problems. I think in some cases it is operator error. I know if I have a problem with something the first thing I try to eliminate is the operator error factor. But some people post reviews too quickly. It goes the other way too. People post 2 weeks after having a machine and they haven't even gotten through the honeymoon period yet. I weigh the pros and cons. So far there are more pros than cons. I wish my choices of machines was wider but the purse strings govern me.

[WVGranny]

Years ago I worked for one of the top shoe manufacturing while shoes were labels from the high dollar end to Walmart the quality of the leather and materials varied from company to company. Canada always had the best quality to come into the states.

[soul60s]

Joanne... There us a very good video on You Tube. Re, the PC420......which I like a lot.

The video is by a guy with curly hair and glasses, and for dome reason, the machine actually photographs backwards. But, the information is good.... It has a lot of very nice features...

I will check it out now. Thanks!

[soul60s]

I have both of the machines you are considering...PC420 and the brother 1500. I like them both a lot! It would be hard for me to choose just one! If you mainly plan to quilt, then I would go for the 1500. I like to sew clothes and other children's items so I need more than just a straight stitch machine. I did not hesitate to buy both of my machines online.

I do plan on mostly quilting. Any time in the past that I used my machine I only straight stitched. I really haven't seen many videos on the 1500 though. I went to YouTube and searched but for some reason there were very few. I do like some of the fancier stitches though since I can't embroider (haven't learned that yet or have the means) then some of the more decorative stitches can be used when doing blocks to add a little pizazz. I do like the solidness of the 1500. What would you say are the cons to each?