Buying a used Bernina 1230

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Buying a used Bernina 1230

I have the opportunity to buy a used Bernina 1230 sewing machine and I want to know what to look for when i try it out.

Are there any warning signs that it isn't working properly?

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Buying a used Bernina 1230

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May 31, 2009
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Beware of Bernina Customer Service
by: Anonymous

I have had my 200e since 2004 and have had very
little sucess with Bernina. They are a "family" owned business I hear but I wonder if they treat their family members as badly as they do their customers that buy their products??
There is no direct customer service with Bernina and if you have a Bernina Dealer you trust (which is a rare gift)most are not trust worthy. They talk a great talk but no follow up when something goes wrong. I have only found 2 that will do everything they can to help you but are limited with the help they can give you because of Bernina's polcies. So be very aware of Bernina Products and policies. They DO NOT stand behind any of their products at all as far as I can tell. That's all I have to say about that.

May 31, 2009
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buying a bernina
by: helena llewellyn

to the lady looking to buy a machine. if the stitch is not perfect and is loose or to tight there is something wrong with the tensions or bobbin. machine should not be noisy or have any clunking noise but be smooth and hum when sewing. cotton should not be snapping when sewing. good luck regards helena

Nov 01, 2009
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Bernina 1230 and 1130
by: Brenda

I love this machine and have used it for everything from heirloom clothing to sails, It is precise and wonderfully reliable. Versatile and easy to use.

Unfortunately, I plugged it in last week and smoke came out, I was aghast! Now I am told the "mother board" is burned up, gone, finito. I went on ebay and there is a Bernina 1130 for sale, will the powercord and the accessories I have go on the 1130?

Nov 05, 2009
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Love my 1230
by: Sally

I like my my 1230 to the extent I recently bought a 2nd. Actually I have a question. I live in south Louisiana and want to find a repairman for my Bernina 1230. I have one I have had for a very long time and one I recently purchased. I would like to have it cleaned and timed. It occasionally misses a stitch but its usable. I would like to find someone who has experience with the older machines and not just the newer ones. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Dec 27, 2009
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Bernina 1230- love growing older with it!
by: June

I bought my 1230 new back in the 80s and I can't imagine how many thousands of yards of fabric have been sewn with it. It still runs like a champ. I recently spent over $300.00 having it serviced and some minor problems fixed ( the bobbinwinder and light switch had to be replaced). Years ago I think something had to be done on the electronics part but since then I have had no problems. I have the opportunity to buy the 1130 and am considering it as a backup in case this one ever bites the dust. The good thing is that there are LOTS of attachments still available for these machines. As I have gotten older and my eyesight has worsened I am finding that the light isn't quite bright enough so I am considering one of those LED lights to put on it. Other than that, I still love "Old Bernie"!

May 27, 2010
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Buyer Beware
by: ehsfb2001

We bought a machine for our son's fiance. They broke up and now not only is it non-returnable, the warranty cannot be switched to whomever we sell it to. Avoid this company and dealers like the plague.

Jun 04, 2010
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Bernina 1230
by: Joan

I have had a Bernina for about 45 years. The first one, the red case one gave excellent service and rather than trade it in, I gave it to a daughter. It is still going well.

I have had more problems with my Bernina 1230 bought about 21 years ago. I am looking to replace it. I don't want the top of the range.

I am 74, daughters don't sew much and I don't do embroidery or patchwork. I do want a reliable machine within my budget, say under $1500.

Jun 04, 2010
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Never could bond with this lazy beast.
by: Anonymous

I own 5 Berninas (and some other brands). I bought my first (830) Bernina new because it was the only household machine guaranteed for professional use. And use it I did - I and my staff sewed over a lot of heavy gauge wires in the 20 years I was a milliner. Plus we sewed heavy felt that produced a lot of lint plus straw (essentially wood) that I'm sure Bernina never considered would be sewn on it. I even neglected care when we got busy and for a long stint when there was no reputable repair guy in my area. It never pipped a complaint until it was in storage on my floor and my bvasement flooded while we were away for a week. After servicing it ran fine.

I put it in semi retirement simply out of pity after about 15 years, and bought the next current machine - a 1230. It was and has always been the ugly stepsister to my 830. It just doesn't have the magical powers of concentration or work ethic or any other super human powers my 830 (still) has. It's a plain old ordinary temperamental sewing machine that could have been made by any company, and thinking about it I am reminded of how s l o w it was. What a disappointment - and I paid full price! My 802, my 2 830's and I forget what the fifth one is are all much better machines than this one ever was - and I bought all but one of them second hand for next to nothing.

I found this site while trying to decide which of my old machines to send on their merry way. It's been 20 years since I've done much sewing and I seriously do not need 10 machines! When I looked up models, I could not remember what number this one was, nor did it look remotely familiar when I saw a photo of it. When I went to my storage to check on it, I didn't even recognize it. That's bad for anything I paid nearly 1000.00 for (or was it more?). I'd know my 830's anywhere, anyplace. I kind of think it still knows me too.

As for service - with the 4 machines that are all 800 series, there was never need and with the fifth ( the 1230), there was no use. It's hard to judge based on that.

Jun 22, 2010
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Best buy ever!
by: brodieodie

I bought my 1230 in the mid- nineties, used, and have never had a problem with it. I will never trade it, although I am thinking of purchasing one of the older models for a back up.

Sep 06, 2010
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GREAT MACHINE
by: Anonymous

I have sewn almost all of my life.I have owned White,Viking and my wonderful Berina 1230. Other than regular cleaning I have never had to have my 1230 serviced!It has served me VERY well for over 15 years and yards and yards of fabric! I will NEVER trade it even when I get a more updated machine with embroidery and such.

Sep 30, 2010
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bernina 1230 anyone ?
by: JD

a customer wants to barter her 1230 for some work (I am a house painter) She had it in her closet and was not the sewing type.It has the accessory box with all the feet, a short red screwdriver and maybe some more stuff, yes on manual, case, and foot pedal- assume it is complete. . I dont think I need this machine. I want to learn to sew but maybe on a simple machine. If you want to buy it call me at 10:00 pm EST --301 474 2990 in the month of Oct 2010.Ask for JD and say bernina 1230

Nov 19, 2010
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An almost perfect machine
by: Diane in CA

I purchased my Bernina 1230 new and have it cleaned once a year. It is a workhorse. I love that it will sew on "air". So many good features. The only problem I have is the weight but that is what you get with a machine built like this. Yearly maintenance at a reputable sewing machine repair shop, changing the needle every 10 to 12 hours of sewing along with a quick clean with a few drops of oil will guarantee you many years of pleasure.

Dec 20, 2010
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bernina 1230- need help please
by: Anonymous

I took a 1230 in for routine service and was told by technician that the" crank and sliding stone assembly' needed to be replaced. I asked why, what was not working? He had no answer but said he saw some aluminum dust on that part and so he knew it was "going". After talking to a couple other technicians they told me to get my machine out of there ASAP. I took their advice and didnt get that done. The machine seems fine.furthermore I was told that the 1130 had such a problem and that for the 1230 that whole assembly was redesigned and so it doesnt happen on 1230's. Pretty interesting eh?Comments appreciated. Post them here or call me Jim 301 706 6474 pls bt 9 to 5 est

Jan 21, 2011
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Fantastic machine
by: ziggy

I have just brought the old girl out of the closet after about 13 yrs! I was amazed that it still sewed beautifully. I think I bought my machine in 1990. I have enjoyed it every time I have sewed. Not a thing has gone wrong with it and is so easy to use. It will get a work out now as I have a new granddaughter to sew for & finally can use all those fabcy stitches. Thought I was never going to bother to sew again but you just cant beat an original outfit made at home!!!

Jan 21, 2011
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Selling across country
by: Jim

I acquired a Bernina 1230 from a customer as payment for handyman work and would like to part with it for a fair price. I have seen them go for $1200 on ebay. I would take $900. I had it checked out and a new light switch was all it needed. Other than one tailor tacking foot missing , it is all there, knee bar, 2 manuals, mucho bobbins,quilting loop accessories case complete. The sewing machine tech says this machine has hardly been used and is in beautiful shape. Jim 301 706 6474. Daytime is a good time to call ( ha-ha) Wash DC

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