research and waiting for the industry to mature, and come to a point where I could afford it. Now, I can use it for just DAYS before it gives out and has to go back to the shop. I brought it in this past time because the needle kept hitting the bobbin and bobbin carrier. They finally got that problem fixed. Now, when I put anything under the needle, the machine simply sews it to the plate. The electronics also keep blinking off and restarting. I bought this new. I just wonder if I got a lemon, or if this is the quality that Brother owners have come to expect. I've had four major repairs on it so far, and several that the techs were able to fix in the store. I'm an experienced seamstress, so I don't think that has been user error. Even the techs seem baffled. I have had the machine on a UPS since the day it came home, and it has been treated with lots of TLC. No bumping, shaking, abuse, children pets, or anything else that could contribute to a problem.

It sure sounds like you have a serious problem with this machine. This is exactly why there are Lemon Laws. It's time to contact Brother for them to make this right. I would copy off all of these comments for them also. This forum represents buyers of Brother machines and other high end sewing/embroidery machines. When serious buyers are ready to buy, they ask us for our opinions not just on machines, but on service and manufacture's reputation for quality. It's time for you to have a machine you can count on to work like a dream so you can enjoy it.
I have a Brother ULT2003D and will be very interested to hear how Brother responds to your problem as I am considering which brand to buy next.

You should be seeing yellow everytime you look at your machine as its a lemon. As it should still be within warranty your dealer/repair should contact Brother on your behalf or at least provide you with assistance in getting another machine. Good luck!

tell us all when you decide what you will do.

You have had some excellent replies. That is the great asset of Cute that honest answers are given. As a individual there are times you have doubts but have no way of proving or solving them. In putting the question for all you have a wealth of replies that gives one a good feeling. Good Luck in getting the problem solved you seem to have been patient for long enough

1 comment

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

I agree. I will be contacting the Brother company first of next week, or this weekend if I can find an email address. When I learn that this isn't the way it should be, then I start to see a better picture. Thank you.

I have a Brother, and a Babylock for 12 years, with the Babylock needing repair after 10 years, for a tension problem and the Brother never needing repair. I clean my machines myself.

I have two Brother and never had a problem, the first one was a small 4x4 area then i bought 6500 5x7 I have only taken both for maintenance, so i think you got a lemon If I were you i will try to have a new machine, Good luck.

Yes, get a new one. I have had 2 Brothers, my current one is ULT 2003D. I've been doing sewing and embroidery on them for 17 years. I have not had any problems like that at all.

NO, this is not normal for something brand new. You have gotten a lemon. If you had had it in once, that would be ok as things happen in shipping. But, even the techs are baffed as you've had four major repairs, that's what should tell the tech it should just be replaced.
I have had a Janome Memory 7 (one of the first computerized sewing machines) for just over 30 yrs. and never had a problem with it. So when I bought my new machine I got a Janome MC11000SE. I've had a minor problem with it - needed the bobbin case replaced and from what I found out in the last few days when talking to someone else (she had the same kind of problem, but a different kind of machine. If you don't hold the thread tight and when threading the first part with the tension discs it bunches up underneath and the needle damages the bobbin holder.
Even for example, if you buy a new computer, if it goes in for repair 3 times in a yr. and has to go again it gets replaced! And that applies even if it is a different prob. each time or the same.
So, personally, I love my Janome's, but one can get a lemon in any brand. I would say first try and get a new one and really use it to see how it goes and if you end up with the same kind of problems then either get a different model or a refund and get something different.
Good luck.

When you purchase a brand new item, reguardless of what it is, you expect it to perform for its intended purpose. In this case it was to embroider, NOT to tote back and forth to the repairman. It evidently cannot do what it was designed for, it should be YOUR choice to get a full refund or another brand new machine. Brother should be happy to please its customers or they won't have any customers.

Don't wait any longer! Give the dealer an option...new machine or total refund...NO EXCEPTION!
You already have a record of repair. The longer you wait the harder it will be for you to resolve. Act NOW! I had same problem with Janome 11000SE. Three new machines in less than 8 months. Finally got total refund and bought a Baby Lock Elissimo.

I have two Brother machines and both are just fine. I would say you have a lemon.

1 comment

by bevintex 27 Aug 2011

I have the brother Computerized sewing machine the CP7500 and i love it. I'm not saying all brothers are bad maybe I just got a lemon. Being under warranty i will get it repaired or replaced. It is just a hassle to pack it up and ship it off at my expense or drive 2 hours away.

It sure sounds like a lemon to me - you should tell them so and ask for a replacement machine. A 4500D is a higher end machine only available new from an authorized dealer and should not have these issues. I have two Brothers - a 780D that I put 3 million stitches on in a year and a Quattro I bought in January that already has almost 2 million stitches so I believe in Brother.

I want to thank everyone for giving me their honest opinion. I respect your collective opinion because you have been there, dealt with the machines and had frustrations. You, as a group/family/forum know so much more than I as a single person. I bought my machine so that I could have some solace from a very stressful life at home. My husband, not even 50, is very far down the Alzheimer's road, so I have to stay at home to care for him, and need something to find peace in this very mixed up world. I do not need the added stress. I will be contacting the manufacturer and the store owner to see if they will work with me in a civilized fashion. Fortunately my state has a "lemon law", so I may be able to invoke that. I really wanted to know whether I was just being whiny or if this was a real problem.
I really appreciate your honesty. I hope that you do not have any trouble with your machines with this upcoming holiday weekend and change of seasons. Bless you all!! You are all wonderful and a terrific support group. Thank you so very much for your responses and support!!!!

2 comments

by anangel 27 Aug 2011

I have a Brother PC8500D that I purchased online six or seven years ago, and it has served me well with very minimal problems. I have never taken it for service or maintenance; just kept it clean of stray threads and dust and pampered it to protect. It was very user friendly, as I had to learn to operate from the manual and no dealer support. I have to stand by the Brother brand with my experience; a workhorse.
Given your experience with a new machine, I think I would definitely ask Brother for a new machine being it should still be under warranty.
I can imagine your frustrations. My prayers and best wishes for better days for you and your household. May the Lord bless you with a special strength and peace as you cope with each new day!
Angel

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

Thank you very much!

I guess we all have our favourites...My Brother 1200 was a lemon. It spent more time at the repairers than with me in the first year I had it. They have a 5 year warranty, I send many letters emails and faxes to the head office in Sydney that I was one very unsatisified customer. I went back to Spotlight and told the saleswoman that I wanted a refund. Boy was she cranky. LOL. After 2 weeks I got all my money back. Went to the local Janome dealer and bought my JanomeMB. They use these machines in theor shop and sure know what they are about. The owner of the shop said they had many brothers come through to be fixed. My sewing machine is also a Janome and after 20 years if hard labour has Never broken down. I would not swap for anyother machine. Good luck. Helen

I have a Viking Diamond, and the dealer in CA had to replace the head (not the emb unit) just after I bought it. He was great! Now, about 5 years later I have moved across country and the darn thing started turning off, turning on, all by iteself! No kidding! I was at the serger and heard the "music"...looked over and the machine was tuning up...then it went off and turned back on! I took it to the local (40 miles) dealer in AL. They said the transformer was bad..replaced it under warranty. Took about a week because they don't carry that part! I have a 2001 car and have never done any more than tires and a battery! These babies are very touchy.
Linda

dear justonlyme.....I have been a bernina person for 20 odd years till i had to buy a new machine,,,,yes a brother * The bernina replacement was in excess of ten thousand dollars they priced temselves out of my league) innovis 1200 machine/embroidery machine have been using it constantly for 2 years not one problem the only one is changing the embroidery monule back and forth for routine sewing...i liked it so much that i bought another brothe 950 also emb/machine so i do not have to keep changing from emb to regular and have had no troulbe with either..........were you sold a lemon i think so is it under warranty if so ...in Austrlia we have a place we can ?complain to "Department of Fair Trading" and they will mediate for you dont just give up any firm that treasures their reputation should come to the party and fix the problem or replace/refund your money.....please let us know how you get on.....soozie

I would take it back and demand a replacement or my money back. It would be covered by warranty. I have a Brother Innovis1500D and it has seen the dealer only once in a little over 3 1/2 years. That was for a service. Did you notice the way I am wording this, because as soon as you say you have never had a problem there will be one, heeheehee. Good luck. Marg

I really feel for you and I am sure that you have bought what you describe as a "lemon". I would certainly insist that you either get your money back or a new machine. Good luck and let us know what happens.

I don't have a solution than to tell you to take it back and ask for your money back. No new item should "fail" especiaslly not in the guarantee period!.
As you probably know, very few machines are manufactured in European countriesand probably ALL embroidery machines are manufacted in the East. The problem arises when the "brand" is not looking after the machine. Fortunately when I had a problem with my Bernina I wrote directly to them and it was sorted with no proble. Hope you have success in ironing out your poblem. Elizabeth

1 comment

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

Thank you. I needed a reality check. I think they count on us believing that this is normal and we should be happy that it is "only one problem" (at a time).

I have the lowest end possible of Brother and don't have that much problems, I only had to have my lower bobbin tension adjusted and I've had it for 2 years now. I'd contact Brother and see if they can work with you on replacing it if it is under warranty. It does sound like you got the lemon of the bunch.

1 comment

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

The ONLY good thing here is that I bought a 4 year, all inclusive warranty on it when I purchased the machine. That covers cleaning and every glitch. Otherwise, I would be approaching the cost of a new machine just in repair bills already.

You said you bought this machine brand new. Did you by any chance buy it over the Internet from All Brands in Baton Rouge,LA? The reason I ask is I purchased a SD750D from them over 4 yrs ago & kept having trouble with it. You can not call Brothers & you have to deal with All Brands & I found out when you send your machine into their repair you have no idea if you are getting your machine back. I finally asked for my money back after talking to the boss at All Brands & he said I will send you out a brand new machine which gave me the impression that I kept getting a refurbushed machine. Since I was sent the new one I have not had a problem with it. If you got if from a reputable dealer I would go back to them & have them help you work with Brothers.

I just purchased the Baby Lock Ellageo Plus last year & I love it. It is better than the Brothers.

3 comments

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

No, I bought it from the Brother dealer that is about 40 miles away.

by 1allamericangirl 27 Aug 2011

I think you need to tell that dealer that you got a lemon & want another one. It is still under warranty since you only got it last Nov

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

I'm deciding that is what I'm going to do. This is the type of feedback that I really needed!! Thank you!

How long have you had it? Is it still under warranty? I would seriously consider asking your dealer to replace it with a new one or contact Brother about it. No "new" machine should have problems, especially a higher end model.

2 comments

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

That is really what I wanted to know. Is it NORMAL for people to experience this sort of problems with a new machine or am I just "lucky"? If others aren't having this problem, then I'm talking to the store manager or Brother. I've saved all of my service stubs, and the folder is about an inch thick just with those.

by joann13100 27 Aug 2011

I don't think it's normal at all. If it does work as designed, you need to get a refund and get something that works.

Deanna....I was almost to this point with my Bernina. I had traded up to the new series 8-830 and I don't believe they have all the bugs out of it yet, even though it has been on the market 2 years. My tech sent it to the Bernina factory techs and it has come back stitching like new, so far. The CPU was unseated inside my machine and was causing electronic issues giving me all kinds of error messages and not sewing properly...this may be something to look into.....I hate that you are having these problems, it ranks right up there with car troubles....and it sure takes the fun out of our trade. Let me know how it goes for you...
Big hug.....Vicki

1 comment

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

Thank you!! I think the CPU came unseated in mine just from the shipping back and forth to the maintenance facility. They truck them from the store to the Brother repair center.

You are the 4th Brother owner on this site that I know of who is having problems. I am one of them. I'm considering a different brand altogether. I'm still weighing my options before making a decision. I just want a emb machine that works! No problems,no hassles ,no breakdowns. Is that too much to ask Brother USA? I can't give you any advice when I don't know what I'm going to do myself.Oh, forgot to add I have had mine since Feb of this year.
Bev

8 comments

by basketkase 27 Aug 2011

Your machine is new, too, isn't it Bev? I thought Brother was doing better than Bernina now? This whole industry need to re-think it's engineering!!!!!!

by bevintex 27 Aug 2011

It is,makes a great paperweight but I want to embroider!

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

Did you know that they are no longer Brother USA?? They are Brother China. That probably has something to do with the problems we are having. :(

by basketkase 27 Aug 2011

LOL!! Really sucks....I know the feeling believe me!!!!!!!!

by bevintex 27 Aug 2011

You think thats bad, i also have a Singer that needs worked on. So I have 2 bookends now LOL
Bev

by justonlyme 27 Aug 2011

Oh wow. To broken NEW machines. That would REALLY be discouraging. My old Kenmore mechanical sewing machine that my husband bought for me when my youngest was born is still going along without a single glitch. Go figure!!

by bevintex 27 Aug 2011

The Singer is not new ,got in 2007.

by joann13100 27 Aug 2011

There is very little quality control in China made products unless the owner of the brand is willing to go to China and hold the manufacturers to some standard of quality. Unless they do this, the quality will vary widely from good to poor. Bernina makes the 340 in China, but apparently they have strict quality control standards, so their stuff holds up in use. The pricey Bernina machines are still made in Switzerland, the low end machines are made in China.