Warranty Registration

One of the best ways to care for your new purchase is to register it. Please click on the appropriate link depending on the brand of machine you purchased.

8 Steps to Buying a New Machine

Purchasing a new machine is one of the most exciting and fulfilling investments you can make. As with any investment, you should educate yourself on both the proven strategies and common pitfalls. Click on each step below to learn more.

1. Reseach Online. Purchase Offline.

   Let's start right out with the big one. No matter what the price. . . a bad decision is an expensive decision. The Internet definitely has its place in your buying decision. Use it to educate yourself. Become familiar with new features or techniques that may intrigue you. Good fact finding will save you hours of time and miles of travel. Narrow it down to two or three brands and models that peak your interest. Rather than spending a little time at a lot of places, give ample time to go to a local dealer and see those brands and models that most appear to meet your needs.

2. Be a Value Shopper — Not a Price Shopper.

   Try not to restrict your creativity by being so set on the right price that you end up with the wrong machine. If you have a specific price range you must stay within, ask if there is a trade-in or trade-up policy that will allow you to move up in features as your skills and budget grow without losing a big part of your initial investment. A good company will provide a way for you to improve your equipment as you improve your skills. Some brands hold their value better than others. Ask about the resale value should you decide to change at a later time.

3. Ask About Price Guarantees.

   There is nothing more satisfying than getting the machine you want at the best possible price. Manufactures offer a variety of promotions throughout the year. Companies who are relationship-oriented sell at today's price with a money back guarantee for a period of time should special pricing become available, allowing you to make your purchase when the time is right for you and yet take advantage of any future promotions that may be offered.

4. Expect and Embrace Training.

   If you are an experienced sewing enthusiast, do not assume that you will not need education or support on your new machine. The more sophisticated the product, the more valuable a well-educated support team will be. Their expertise can save you hours of trial and error and offer great opportunities to explore new interests. If you are a beginner or a first time buyer, hands-on education may make the difference between whether you find your inner fashion diva, or rearrange the closet to make room for the seldom-opened box.

5. Try Before You Buy.

   A good demonstration is the result of an experienced sales representative. A machine may appear to have all of the features and quality you are looking for when you are watching it perform. You may not notice the subtle adjustments being made by the demonstrator. You have no idea how much manipulation is going on to make the stitches and feed appear satisfactory. Don't be fooled by smoke and mirrors. The most important question is how will it feel and handle when you are behind the needle? Ask to sew on the machine using a variety of fabrics and employing a number of techniques. Try thin fabrics, multiple layers of heavy fabrics, buttonholes, etc. Do not concentrate on achieving a perfect outcome as much as evaluating the ease of operation and performance of the machine. Ask about the possibility of taking the machine home for a trial period (before finalizing the purchase) to experience it on your own. Use this opportunity to test it out on a project or complete some mending. Put it to the test.

6. Allow Yourself Room to Grow.

   Avoid the expense of outgrowing the product too quickly. Anticipate areas of interest, even though you may not have tried those techniques prior to your shopping. Purchase a machine that allows you room to grow. Your interest may be minimal today, but you may find that with a machine you enjoy using, you want to explore the possibility of projects that would be out of the question with your current equipment. If you have a minor interest in embroidery, ask about the ability to add that feature in the future. Some features can be added as after-purchase, while some will require an entire change of models.

7. Trust Your Instincts.

   If you are buying a mid- to high-end machine, you are probably not buying for necessity only, but are more likely investing in a hobby. There are many brands that are similar in features and quality. If you find the exact same machine at multiple stores at relatively comparative prices, the deciding factor should be, "At which store do I feel most comfortable?" After all, you are not just purchasing a machine — you are investing in an entire sewing environment. Make your purchase where you feel at home. Will you be at ease going into the store for help with projects or asking questions? Is technical help readily available?

8. Always Consider a Store's Reputation.

   How committed are they to your new interest in general? Is their business model designed to make the initial sale with no focus on building a long-term relationship, assuming you will not be back in the buying market for several years? Or, do they carry a full line of products that support your hobby, including fabrics, notions, classes and educational events and opportunities to share your interest with other like-minded enthusiasts? Are they structured for the occasional purchase, or are they set up to be your everyday "go-to" place for years to come?