Sewing Machines at the 99 Cent Store
Well, not for 99 cents but I was shocked today when I went to the new upstairs department at my favorite 99 Cent Store in NYC. I needed a heavy duty extension cord and I was told that they were upstairs – when I was looking at them right behind me were Brother Sewing Machines! New, not refurbished and all electronic newer models (foolishly I didn’t write down the model numbers) and none were priced over $200.
I don’t need a new machine right now but I did buy a case (my older machine never had one) for $20.
My friend always used to kid me about the things that I bought there for 99 cents – imagine being able to say I bought a Sewing Machine at the 99 Cent Store!
Replies
They might be the same models sold at Wmart and Costco.
I was at Creative Festival (new name for sewing expo) yesterday and saw a vendor using the Brother Disney combo embroidery and sewing machine. I asked her if this was the same model sold at WM and she said yes and at Costco. Mind you, the machine sells for just under $400, but I was impressed that it was being used to demo the vendor's own embroidery designs, which were great.
Most embroidery/sewing machines are much more expensive and the little ones should not be snubbed. Same for your find, although I would want to know the return policy before making such a purchase!
They will take anything back in 7 days - no questions asked. I've bought small electronics there and there has never been any difficulty in returning things.
Things may have changed but when I sold machines there were specific model numbers that were only sold through those kinds of places. When people called or store for help/assistance on using them, the salespeople knew immediately they weren't purchased through a dealer. They weren't rude, but would get very vague and say they weren't familiar with that model. They would always tell them they should use the contact number in the material that came with their machine. They felt that if you weren't willing to buy something from a dealer you shouldn't take a dealer's time to help you learn how to use it. I don't remember that that the machines were bad, but when people have asked me about them I've always steered them away if they weren't experienced sewers. In those cases, I thought it wasn't worth the savings when it meant they wouldn't have someone to go to for instructions and problems.
People today who work in stores that do not specialize in sewing machines have no clue about the machines let alone what planet they are on.
I agree with the advice to buy from a dealer. A dealer will ofter provide lessons on the new machine and other resources. They may give you names of other sewers or a sewing club. Great places for inspiration. Do you think WM would do that?
A comment about models at Walmart. WM contracts for a model similar to the one a dealer sells. (Iam not just talking about sewing machines) They require that the manufacturer sell to WM at a certain low price. To do that, the manufacturer often has to cut quality. WM even helps the manufacturer start manufacturing in China to get lower prices. Thanks WM from a textile worker now unemployed.
A friend bought a blender at WM. Had to take it back twice and get a replacement. Third time got a refund and bought it somewhere else.
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