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Janome

Hello group,

My wife and I were sewing machine shopping this last weekend. Now, she is pretty much a beginner, and about the only thing she wants a machine for, is alterations, and occasional mending. Her mother does sew fairly well, so lessons, etc, will probably come from Mom.

We live in a bit of a rural area, and the only dealer in the nearest town handles the Janome line. For our budget(about $200), the 4612 was his recommended choice. He touted its reliability, and quality of construction. I do like the idea of buying from a dealer, if the price is not outrageous.

So here is the $64 questions:

  1. What is a dealer worth? We do have a Sears, and I understand many of their machines are made by the same company (although I didn't see one with the metal outside like the 4612). At what dollar point does it make more sense to "take your chances", and seek out other machines through the net (Euro-pro, White, etc) where prices may be lower?

  1. Does anybody have experience with the Janome 4612, good or bad?

Thanks in advance for any or all answers. Please reply to the group, as the email address is a sink.

Reply to
Jolly
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First off, if you only have $200 to spend on a machine, you will get a far better quality machine buying a reconditioned machine than a new one. I have had the "wonderful" (NOT!) experience of having a dealer tout the advantages of a low-end machine (and the one we bought was in teh $200-300 range) as being durable, etc. -- but then when we had horrible problems with it, the dealer gave us the "well, it's a cheap machine, what do you expect?" line. (I won't go back to that dealer again, that's for sure!)

I would go back and ask that dealer to look at his traded-in machines and see if you can find one in the price range you want.

Check out the "how to buy a sewing machine FAQ" that is posted here periodically.

Alternatively, you can check your local newspaper classifieds, etc., and watch for someone selling a machine -- oftentimes they are in excellent condition and you can get one for $50. I find lovely older machines in thrift shops, too, for $20 and less. I have tested some out thoroughly and they run wonderfully but maybe only need a new belt due to age, and they are a great value for the money spent.

Now, to answer your questions:

  1. A dealer can offer more support, classes, etc. -- things that Sears cannot do. If you think you will need help from someone to use your machine, then go with the dealer. If you think you might want to upgrade to a better machine in the relatively near future, go with a dealer, who will undoubtedly have a trade-up program.

If you know how to use a machine, won't need classes, are pretty sure that you wouldn't need to take advantage of a trade-up program, and already know what machine you want and know that the machine of your choice is a good machine that won't turn out to be a lemon, then go for an online dealer (But for the sake of the local sewing machine dealer, please don't go take their time up doing research only to buy the machine online -- that contributes to the death of local dealers).

  1. I don't have any experience with that particular machine, but seeing as though it is a low-end machine, I would be rather suspicious of it without giving it a thorough run-through at the store before buying.
Reply to
Melinda Meahan - take out TRAS

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