My Viking Dealer Adding to my Gray Hair

Jul 22, 2006 14 Replies

Now that my DD is home safe from Israel, you would think I could relax and stop feeling stressed. WRONG! I have a sorority sister who has liver cancer. I am making a signature quilt for her. While I was waiting for the last of the signature blocks, I thought I would take my machine in for her annual physical since the warranty expires next month. When I took it in, the manager who is the brother of the owner was acting like his usual lazy self. On Saturday, he told me he would not be taking it to the main store until Tuesday since he did not want to drive up there before then. I should have the machine back by Friday or Saturday. Since I am under a major time crunch since Sorority sister is not doing well, I decided I would just bring it back when I finish the quilt. Went home, set up machine so I could work on the quilt only to find that the foot pedal was no longer in the case. Brother had opened up the case to check in the machine before I decided not to leave it. By the time I discover this problem, they are closed and do not open again until Monday. I call Monday and am told in a very rude manner that they don't have my foot pedal. I call the main store and talk to the owner. He asks questions and says that he will be at the store in Mission Viejo tomorrow, will call me and let me know what is happening. Never calls me on Tuesday. Wednesday, I call twice. Both times "he is on the phone." I leave my name and number, NO return call. Wednesday he is out of the store. My GF/next door neighbor who is great at taking nothing from nobody calls the Mission Viejo store to see how much a new foot pedal costs. "Oh, someplace between $129 and $169. What is wrong with your pedal?" GF tells him she is calling about me, he then gets huffy, "We are a reputable company. We don't have her foot. She has it." Bangs down the phone. Well, Husqvarna/Viking better get on the ball and either open up a new dealership or give the dealership to someone who cares about customer service because I will be telling all my friends not to use Allbrands. After spending a fortune in that store to be treated this way, and they really expect that I would upgrade to another machine when the warranty expires? Not on their life!



off my soap box.....



Debbi in SO CA


Debbi, I sure hope you get your foot pedal back soon! Is AllBrands the same as the website? I've used them a few times and have not had any issues with them. But everything was done online. Or is the name of your store just a coincidence?

'

The on-line AllBrands is in Louisiana. They do have several stores there, as listed on the website, but they don't show any in California. I'm hoping there's no connection, because I've dealt with the on-line AllBrands a number of times and have been very satisfied. Just bought a hoop for my embroidery machine.

Iris

Debbi, call Husqvarna Viking USA and let them know: ask them what you should do next to get back your foot control. AND tell them you will not be buying from this place again, not so much as a bobbin.

Oh, and tell the shop that this amounts to theft and you will be taking steps... Inform your local trading standards office by letter, and send a copy to the owner.

I have my last name on my foot pedal in sharpie ink.

Do you have a back up machine? If not and a straight stitch machine would work for you I can come up with an old singer you can have.

If you need it asap you are welcome to come get it otherwise I could leave it at my dad's and you could get it there or maybe get it to you when I am down that way. I just need time to pull one out and make sure it runs ok. There are a few old machines around here ; )

TAria

Debbi wrote:

Debbi - so you actually have to go and buy a new foot pedal??? Crud - that's SO unfair!!! I'd certainly go there in person and raise a stink!!! How incredibly rude!!!

Patti in Seattle

Alice,

No connection. The one on-line is allbrands.com while the local one is allbrands.net. this one does no business online.

Debbi > Debbi, I sure hope you get your foot pedal back soon! Is AllBrands the same

i read thru this whole thread. yup a big big stink!!! i'd be down there rummaging thru the whole store to find my pedal (hope you got some distinguishing marks on it). i'd then either tell them as it doesnt seem to be in the store you will be filing theft charges with the police and this is the last place the foot was seen so be prepared. treating a valued customer like this is not good business practice and considering why you need your foot back asap, you'd think they'd get off their duff and find the foot. seems hes lying as well saying he didnt open the machine when he had it. yea right. a liar and a thief, arghhh. grrrrrrrrrr. do what Patti said, then what Kate said. see if that gets their bums in gear. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr'n with you across the pacific. jeanne

(snipping Debbi's pedal problem)

Seconded! When the local dealer is a prat the best thing to do is go to the company they represent and let them know.

Do we have an equivilent to a local trading standards office? The only thing I know is the Better Buisness Bureau, and all they will do is say "Oh my!", shake their heads sadly, and make a check in the naughty column.

NightMist

Taria,

Thanks for the offer, luckily the Designer II that I own has a button to sew without having to use the foot. I just feel like I am in more control with the foot. I have been using the button for now and so far have been extremely successful.

Debbi > I have my last name on my foot pedal in sharpie ink.

call the sewing machine company head office and speak to the head honcho. the local shop represents them and they are doing a 'sucko' job and head office/honcho needs to know this. glad to hear you're coping successfully in the meantime but really its theft to remove your pedal then claim they know nothing at all about it. geez louise. good luck, jeanne

Thanks for the response. I hope all works out well for you and your machine! I will keep your sorority sister in my prayers as well!

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:15:56 -0500, NightMist wrote (in article ):

The State Attorney General's office probably has a consumer fraud division. Maybe the local DA/SA too. They'd be the folks to call and/or send a letter to.

Maureen

warranty expires next month. When I

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