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I am a beginner to sewing and searching for a machine to fit my needs. I am willing to spend the extra money on a nicer machine with more options than I need, but do not want to get in over my head either! My budget is around $900 and under.
So far, I have seen and liked the Viking 350 and newer 415.
I do enjoy the computerized models over the others.
I recently came across a deal I think sounds to good to be true and was hoping you could shed some light for me. The machine is a PFAFF 1475 CD and is slightly used (a trade in) It comes with all the gadgets and still has all the original books, and of course, the PFAFF warranty. Free lifetime sewing lessons are also included. The machine retails for $2999 and is being sold for $899. Is this a steal?
How comparable are PFAFF’s to Vikings?
Any advise or tips you can offer would be so very much appreciated!
Thank you all for your time!
Jenna 🙂
Replies
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Hello Jenna,
On the better used sewing machines (Pfaff, Bernina, Viking) there exists a blue book similar to the one for used cars. Get the dealer of the Pfaff to tell you what the blue book price is for that particular machine; if they won't or can't tell you, call another dealer in your area and get the blue book price from them. This should tell you right away how great a deal this is.
Another source on this particular machine is
http://www.allbrands.com
these guys have a service where they'll tell you blue book and let you know what Consumer Reports said about a particular brand,
http://www.allbrands.com/homemach/sewing/sew-info.htm
And a word of caution. While Pfaff is historically one of the better machines I have had a "lemon" Pfaff that I gratefully traded in recently; it was a 1475.
hope this helps,
--lin
*Hi Jenna:Seven years ago I bought a Pfaff 1475 CD at the California State Fair without having done any research. During all these years I've only had it serviced once (earlier this year) because the tension gave me problems. I just love it. My dealer, who has used many brands of machines, told me Pfaff and Bernina were the best machines on the market, so my advice to you is to buy the Pfaff because you're getting a good machine for the money.Kathleen
*Jenna,I am mainly a "Bernina Nut", I have almost all of them, one of each, well almost! I also have a Pfaff 1472, I bought this because I wanted some of Pfaff's decorative stitches.This machine does regular sewing ok, is very quiet but will not make a "good" consistent buttonhole to save its life.But my main reason for not liking this machine is having to punch/push buttons counting up and down to get to the stitch you want. It gets on my last nerve. So I will eventually sell it.I would like to replace it with a 7550 used, of course as they are no longer manufactured. I understand this machine as well as the 7570 makes a superior buttonhole and it is also MUCH easier to use. BTW the 7550 looks very similar to the present Pfaff 7570, which for now is still top of the line. Just my 2 cents!! Hope it helps.
*Dear Heather:No machine has all the features we want, as John Giordano said in his Threads article comparing sewing machines. Like you, I also don't like having to push buttons up and down to change stitch patterns on the Pfaff 1475CD, and the zipper foot design is not as good as others, but otherwise it far exceeds the old Vikings. As one who doesn't like to hand sew buttons (or anything else) it would be helpful to have a button foot. A lesser machine would have suited my purposes but for once in my life I decided to get the top of the line.Kathleen
*Kathleen, which machine do you have? Is it the 1475?Heather
*Kathleen, sorry, just read a couple of messages back and noticed that you did say you have the 1475!!!!Sorry, but I could not see all the recent messages on my screen.Heather
*Hi Jenna:Seven years ago I bought a Pfaff 1475 CD at the California State Fair without having done any research. During all these years I've only had it serviced once (earlier this year) because the tension gave me problems. I just love it. My dealer, who has used many brands of machines, told me Pfaff and Bernina were the best machines on the market, so my advice to you is to buy the Pfaff because you're getting a good machine for the money.Kathleen
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