Singer Diana

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Singer Diana

by Irene
(Edmonton, Canada)

I last used a Singer sewing machine when I bought a Diana - in the 1970's. It was a total lemon. It spent more time in the repair shop than at home. What was worse was the customer service from the Singer people.

I had been sewing since I was a kid - on a treadle Singer and on Singers in Home Ec at school and on a perfectly fine little machine I bought in 1964. I felt I knew how to care for my machine and how to sew BUT the Singer service people told me I didn't know how to sew and didn't know how to use my machine.

After several sessions with these service people during which they refused to consult Singer about this product and casting aspirations on my character, I junked the DIANA and swore never to deal with Singer again.

It is now 2010 and I have kept my word. Since I have worked in fabric shops and quilt, and show my quilts, I have a large audience. I NEVER have a positive thing to say when asked about buying a SINGER.

Funny enough, I haven't met anyone yet who has a good thing to say about the new SINGER machines. What happened to SINGER?

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Singer Diana

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Mar 07, 2010
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very sad!
by: Anonymous

Couldn't agree more with this post, and the worst part is the big company that took Singer over a few years ago is now ruining Viking Husqvarna and Pfaff. Those stink as well and the customer service is almost non existent and if you do happen to reach someone, as you stated, they are incredibly rude.
Won't buy any of these products.

Mar 08, 2010
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singers
by: helena llewellyn south wales uk

hello, couldn't agree more with this post. I have an old singer in treadle table from 1910 and it works like a dream. The new ones are only good for putting in the garden and every time i pass it i would throw stones at it. We are not being catered for by the big sewing machine firms any more, we are seen as cash cows to them. I have new modern machines, but i always seem to go back to my old 1910 for lots of things on flat stitch as it does it better.

May 22, 2010
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So What's Left?
by: Anonymous

Ok, Singer no longer holds any regard, at least within modern machine circles and now the feedback is that Pfaff & Husqvarva-Viking is tanking due to poor service/attitude.

Nobody has ever said anything good about Japanese-made sewing machines since the 1950's.

I have two portable plastic Brother machines [models XL-6452 and CS-8072] that work now, but even handled delicately, sound and feel as though they could fall apart any day now, just reinforcing the hem in a camisole.

And locally at least, the arrogance and snotty attitudes from the Bernina dealerships, yes plural, have been deplorable for the thirty+ years I've lived in the Dallas area. The local privately owned store that claims to sell BabyLock and a few other brands also has the turned-up nose dysfunction that the Bernina dealers suffer from.

Unless one drives up in a Mercedes, BMW or equivalent, and reveals their bank balance by casually opening their purse for all to see their check register, not a one even acknowledges your presence, presuming you are not going to buy anything from them b/c you can't afford it. But who would know -- there are never any prices on ANY of the machines -- it's always a huge SECRET! I guess that's so they can quote whatever price they want, depending upon their mood that day, or how superior they're feeling over the customer that week.

Even the most exclusive car dealerships at least display window stickers on every vehicle, with an $MSRP, even if it never gets followed/always negotiated less. So why the secretive game-playing?

What's left for those of us who cannot afford a machine that are now close to the same price as the last new car I bought, yet may want to do some projects beyond a straight stitch -- that still cannot be duplicated any better than on my grandmother's 1921 Red-Head(eye)66.

So, what's a person to do that cannot do 100% of their own refurbs, beyond routine cleaning and basic maintenance procedures?

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May 22, 2010
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Ok, Singer no longer holds any regard, at least within modern machine circles and now the feedback is that Pfaff & Husqvarva-Viking is tanking due to poor service/attitude. Nobody has ever said anything good about Japanese-made sewing machines since the 1950's. I have two portable plastic Brother machines [models XL-6452 and CS-8072] that work now, but even handled delicately, sound and feel as though they could fall apart any day now, just reinforcing the hem in a camisole. And locally at least, the arrogance and snotty attitudes from the Bernina dealerships, yes plural, have been deplorable for the thirty+ years I've lived in the Dallas area. The local privately owned store that claims to sell BabyLock and a few other brands also has the turned-up nose dysfunction that the Bernina dealers suffer from. Unless one drives up in a Mercedes, BMW or equivalent, and reveals their bank balance by casually opening their purse for all to see their check register, not a one even acknowledges your presence, presuming you are not going to buy anything from them b/c you can't afford it. But who would know -- there are never any prices on ANY of the machines -- it's always a huge SECRET! I guess that's so they can quote whatever price they want, depending upon their mood that day, or how superior they're feeling over the customer that week. Even the most exclusive car dealerships at least display window stickers on every vehicle, with an $MSRP, even if it never gets followed/always negotiated less. So why the secretive game-playing? What's left for those of us who cannot afford a machine that are now close to the same price as the last new car I bought, yet may want to do some projects beyond a straight stitch -- that still cannot be duplicated any better than on my grandmother's 1921 Red-Head(eye)66. So, what's a person to do that cannot do 100% of their own refurbs, beyond routine cleaning and basic maintenance procedures?

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May 22, 2010
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Sorry to hear about your experience
by: RL Schaefer

Singer, along with Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking got bought out by an investment group that has no real interest in sewing at all. And it shows.
Granted the current ownership took over in 2004, but if you think things were bad in the 70's it's only gotten worse.

The group is called SVP Worldwide which is in turn owned by Kohlberg & Company, which bought Singer in 2004.
Just google Kohlberg & Co. and you will see where these companies are far from interested in producing quality sewing machines.

I have resorted to finding vintage sewing machines (Bernina and Singer) that are well maintained and easy to service if need be. And for a lot less than the new garbage being put out today.

Granted my mechanical machines don't do all the "fancy" stitches" and embroidery work, but I am no longer frustrated by crappy high dollar equipment, and once again, am enjoying my true passion.