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The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: liz's creations
Date: 01-11-2006, 01:53 PM (1 of 18)
has anyone purchases from this site? I'm looking to purchase a sewing cabinets from ALLBRANDS.COM But i'm not sure if this site is recomended.
Pledge of Allegiance: I promise never again to do any free work.Unless my mother or father are involve.



Some of the items I have done:http://lizscreation.shutterfly.com/a...8Abt2jhq1atmIm
User: liz's creations
Member since: 09-20-2006
Total posts: 12
From: paroper
Date: 01-11-2006, 03:00 PM (2 of 18)
THey don't have exactly the best reputation. You get what you get. They sometimes honor their warranties to the satisfaction of the customers, sometimes they don't as far as MACHINES are concerned. I could tell you what my dealer has said about them and their machines, but I don't want to go there.

However, their designs and such are fine, usually not the newest but they aren't pirated or anything. Delivery should be pretty quick. Their prices are good. I would think that somthing like a sewing machine cabinet would be fine. Most of the complaints I've heard have been in the sewing machine catagory. I've bought a little bit from them in the design pack categories with no problem and when I've had questions, they have been good about answering them. I've also bought a good Rowenta ironing system from them. I wouldn't really have a problem with buying a cabinet. It wouldn't hurt to buy by credit card, just because of the securities it gives you, but I don't really think that has so much to do with Allbrands, just with buying online. I would tell you to open the box right away and make sure the parts are there. They are really big into the 30 day satisfaction policy.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: liz's creations
Date: 01-11-2006, 03:15 PM (3 of 18)
Thank you so much for the advise.
Pledge of Allegiance: I promise never again to do any free work.Unless my mother or father are involve.



Some of the items I have done:http://lizscreation.shutterfly.com/a...8Abt2jhq1atmIm
User: liz's creations
Member since: 09-20-2006
Total posts: 12
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-11-2006, 08:21 PM (4 of 18)
I live not far from All Brands and have purchased two machines from them in person. John Douthat, the owner is very good about communicating with his customers at least that is my personnel experience with dealing with them. I have been in the store and seen ruffled customers but of course you will have some people who are complainers no matter what and you can't always go by what others say, sometimes you have to take everyones comments into consideration and decide from the overall picture. One online company I wouldn't do business with is Sewingmachineoutlet.com They messed up my machine and charged me 300.00 to do repairs and the machine was still broke after fixing it twice on the same repair. I finally had to take it to All Brands and he fixed it back like new. Sewingmachineoutlet is no longer in business in his store front, they were hit by Katrina and from what I hear they are not going to open the store but I don't know about the online store. Beware of them.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: soverysewey
Date: 01-12-2006, 03:36 AM (5 of 18)
I am having a problem with Allbrands right now with a machine I purchased from them that they will not repair even though it arrived defective. I would not buy any machine from them over the internet. They may be fine in person but they are not online.I am not a whiner or complainer but I am an unhappy customer of thiers with good reason.

Paroper, I would like to hear what your dealer says about Allbrands machines...does he feel they sell seconds or something?
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003
Total posts: 56
From: liz's creations
Date: 01-12-2006, 09:48 AM (6 of 18)
I'm trying to deside whether to purchase a Sylvia Quilter's Cabinet Model 1500 or the quiltmate 111 studio of koala. Any suggestions? On with brand is better quality wise
Pledge of Allegiance: I promise never again to do any free work.Unless my mother or father are involve.



Some of the items I have done:http://lizscreation.shutterfly.com/a...8Abt2jhq1atmIm
User: liz's creations
Member since: 09-20-2006
Total posts: 12
From: paroper
Date: 01-12-2006, 10:05 AM (7 of 18)
I don't know anything about Sylvia's. Horn and Koala are both really high quality cabinets. If you search around you should be able to have a lot of literature on the Koala cabinets sent to you (I think there are promotional DVD's).

I would encourage you to put a lot of thought about your cabinet. While you might keep a sewing machine 20 years or more (some people keep them a whole lot less), the cabinet you put that machine into may last for the rest of your life. I have a Roberts cabinet that I purchased in 1992. It has been moved many many times, taken apart, through doors and hallways, up stairs, etc. I have litterly logged thousands of sewing hours while working on my cabinet. It was not a terribly expensive or beautiful piece of sewing furniture, but it is as nice as it was the day that I purchased it and it has served me well. Although there are nicer cabinets on the market, I doubt that will ever be replaced. Through the years, I've added several other matching piece to that initial purchase.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: liz's creations
Date: 01-12-2006, 10:19 AM (8 of 18)
wao.I want to get this sewing cabinet so much is hard to keep waiting,and doing research. I have the dvd for koala.My hubby says I should just order it, but I'm worried of the cost because i also need to purchase a storage unit for my fabric and a cutting table. hum? decisions desicions....
Pledge of Allegiance: I promise never again to do any free work.Unless my mother or father are involve.



Some of the items I have done:http://lizscreation.shutterfly.com/a...8Abt2jhq1atmIm
User: liz's creations
Member since: 09-20-2006
Total posts: 12
From: paroper
Date: 01-12-2006, 11:06 AM (9 of 18)
My 200 is on a quilter's cabinet much like the Koala Quiltmate. I have the chest under the cabinet and it is very handy for storage. You need to have access to the table area of your quilting table at the back, so placement and space in the room is a big consideration. When I moved my cabinet into a small bedroom, I had some placement problems. I find that I need much much more space at the left of my machines than the right and mine is offset like this one. I do keep my rolling cabinet under the table and I keep the quilt table extended. I also keep a lot of things under the quilting extension like threads in stacking boxes. I also keep a second serger on the quilt side of the cabinet. I don't quilt. The extra width is almost a must when I use my Giant Hoop it All on my 200E. If you don't order the chest the open space under the table is very nice for comfort when using the table because you can move freely under the table. I like this better than the Outback Plus because I think it is more usable for sewing purposes. If you were to add to the Outback Plus in the future, you would have dead spaces in the corners. I have added a freestanding corner table to the left of my machine for my computer and it is very nice because I don't loose the space but have a computer to send designs to the machine and a printer for the computer right at hand. If you are going to keep it stored, I would look at the Plus becuase it is so compact, but I don't think you would like it as well in the long run.

The Sylvia cabinet is nice. I think that you would regret not having the extra storage under the table that the Koala offeres, but if you plan to keep it packed it away, the Sylvia cabinet would store well. I keep my machines out all the time.

I started with this unit


http://www.robertsmfg.com/model_699/
and http://www.robertsmfg.com/model_32/ (tall version)

I have since added

http://www.robertsmfg.com/model_898/ (with the storage caddy)
and http://www.robertsmfg.com/sewing_tables/ (The little corner unit shown here)

The Roberts cabinets are very utilitarian and less expensive, but I have REALLY enjoyed them through the years.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-12-2006, 11:08 AM (10 of 18)
They may be fine in person but they are not online.I am not a whiner or complainer but I am an unhappy customer of thiers with good reason.



PM me with your name and I will see what I can do about your problems if anything. Stephany at All Brands is who I deal with, and she has resolved all my problems.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-12-2006, 01:00 PM (11 of 18)
Soverysewey, Here's the phone # for the store Stephany is usually. If she's not there, tell them you need to speak to her leave your # with her. When you get her on the phone, tell her that you are on the sewing boards with me and that I told you to call her to help you. She's the one who goes between all the All Brands stores in the area and solves problems for the stores. I'm sure she will be able to help you. Let me know how you make out. Here's the # 1-225-752-2343
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: LauraM62
Date: 01-14-2006, 06:49 AM (12 of 18)
My 2 cents, I've never had a problem with All Brands, never bought a machine from them though. I have bought my embroidery converter box, plenty of sewing machine feet, and other accessories. They were quick to respond when I found items cheaper some where else, lower their price to match! They have always shipped the items quick, well packaged, just haven't had any issues personally. But so far have only bought 1 machine over the internet, because I couldn't find one locally :smile:
LauraM
SW Indiana

If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003
Total posts: 246
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-15-2006, 12:07 AM (13 of 18)
Soverysewey, have you called the number I sent you yet? Please let us know how you make out if you do. I will do what I can to help you contact them and get your problem resolved. Just let me know what I can do.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: Tom Land
Date: 01-16-2006, 03:14 PM (14 of 18)
I'm trying to deside whether to purchase a Sylvia Quilter's Cabinet Model 1500 or the quiltmate 111 studio of koala. Any suggestions? On with brand is better quality wise
Sylvia, Koala, & Horn cabinets are all very good. It is really just a matter of which design you like. Quality of all three seems to be equal but I prefer Horn...Only because they have been around forever so we have a track record to look at. Bear in mind that all are particle board with a good laminate and we have no way of knowing how good that particle board underneath really is. In another 15 - 20 years we will be able to tell if Sylvia & Koala are really as good. I THINK they are.
I would not recommend buying from any website (including mine) if you can find it locally. If you have a problem it is much easier to just go back to the store than having the hassels of contacting people, reboxing for return, etc.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: paroper
Date: 01-16-2006, 03:48 PM (15 of 18)
Actually because of the weight of these tables and cabinets, the weight of return is a very good point, eventhough there it is not terribly likely that there would be a problem, if there were......
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: liz's creations
Date: 01-16-2006, 04:33 PM (16 of 18)
Well I just ordered the koala cabinets.So ladies please cross your fingers so everything comes out fine. I'm so greatfull for all of your feedback.
Thank you Liz
Pledge of Allegiance: I promise never again to do any free work.Unless my mother or father are involve.



Some of the items I have done:http://lizscreation.shutterfly.com/a...8Abt2jhq1atmIm
User: liz's creations
Member since: 09-20-2006
Total posts: 12
From: paroper
Date: 01-16-2006, 06:35 PM (17 of 18)
I'm sure you'll be happy with them. They have a very good reputation!!!!
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: Tom Land
Date: 01-16-2006, 09:52 PM (18 of 18)
Actually because of the weight of these tables and cabinets, the weight of return is a very good point, eventhough there it is not terribly likely that there would be a problem, if there were......

Actually we do see a fair amount of problems with cabinets. (ie damaged panels, doors, drawers etc) most often it is damage by the freight company but unless there is obvious damage to the box and you note it on the shipping order it can be very hard to get them to pay on it. Even then it may take months to get it all settled. I now open every cabinet and inspect it before accepting delivery. The driver doesn't appreciate it but I have too often had a damaged cabinet sit in the store for 3-6 months waiting to get a settlement. This way if it is damaged I just don't accept it.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
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