My Brother ULT 2003 is about to die, I think. She has over 23,000,000 that's 23 million stitches! She won't hold settings any more and she groans with embroidery and sewing. I have a service policy on her for almost 3 more years. I take her in and they fix her, and then I'm back in just a few weeks with something else. Should I keep taking her in, or should I start looking to trade her in, and if so, what can I get that won't cost me so much? I want to stick with Brother..... So sad .....

Funny. I had a Super Galaxie 3100 ( same as ULT 2003 but aussie name) and he & I hated each other. I was able to get a second hand Innovis 4000 with only 200,000 stitches. almost 2 years later he has 10 million stitches and I love him to bits. He is about the same size as your machine but has a 7x12 hoop. Maybe have a look for a second hand machine??? Good luck. Lyn. xx

Three years of service is a lot to give up. I wouldn't just give it back to them, after all you paid for it,If it is a Brother service agreement I would call them direct and see if you can take it to any Brother dealer . If so, maybe there is one within your comfortable driving distance that could give you better service.To me, the whole point of having a service contract is to be able to keep the appliance(whatever it is -air conditioner, automobile,water heater, sewing machine) working like new. Good luck.

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

maybe they would transfer the 3 years of service to a new machine....

Darn it! Well if you come to town adn want to play... let me know! I say trade her in and get something reliable and 23 million? Rockin!

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

I think I've stitched to the moon and back!

I have a Brother 6500 and I love my machine, my technician told me the ULT are very good, planning in the future to buy one. Excellent advices I will wait for Thanksgiving for any good offer, and fix the one you have as a back up or you may want to trade it in, it all depends of you financial situation. My next goal is a ULT Good luck.

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

The ULT is a great machine, and has a larger hoop too. Just get one with low stitch count - LOL

I would keep it for a back-up machine.
Go to a nearby dealer (if you can make it through your muddy streets) and see if they have any demo machines at the right price. When I went to get my (new to me) Esante, they had a machine traded in with only 30,000 stitches. It just didn't do enough for the original buyer and she traded it in on a 6 needle. I would have loved that machine!
As soon as you have a new machine in hand, take the old one to the shop and tell them to make it work right or replace it for you. I wonder if they are doing the barest minimum of work on it to get it out the door....

I'm so sorry, I have the babylock ellageo cousin the same year. Hope they get it in order without having to buy anything else.

I would hang in there until around Thanksgiving and see what deals they offer then. Usually some good Black Friday deals are available. Or perhaps Brother will offer a good trade-in deal. I got my HV Ruby Deluxe on a trade-in deal where I got three times what it was worth. Good luck. Hugs. Nan

Jan, always get a price first, as if you have no machine to trade. Then ask what kind of price you would get with the old machine as a trade in. ONLY then will you know what they TRULY are allowing for your old machine. Usually, not much at all, if anything. I, agree, I love the Brother machines, too. My old PC8500D still stitches beautifully, and the little maintenance it has required, I did it, so this speaks well of the Brother brand. Check out www.kenssewingcenter.com, and www.allbrands.net and see what they have currently. You may find a great deal! Hope you find your dream machine at a reasonable price!Hugs, Angel

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

How are you doing with your Happy?

by anangel 25 Sep 2013

I really like the fifteen needle Happy, Jan! I am still not finding enough time to use it and feel truly comfortable, while operating it. But, keep hoping other demands will leave me alone, so I can play with it more. I got a great deal on this machine from Digitsmith.com (used embroidery machines). Very glad I checked out the Happy brand thoroughly beforehand. It has one of the best reputations among commercial machines. TexMac sells Happy, and gives good info and service to help with problems, but one actually has to learn to maintain/repair it to avoid more expense to your investment. A machine with less needles would have served my needs just as well, since I am actually not "in business" per se.
Hugs, Angel

Bev is correct, Jan, if you don't feel you're getting a fair trade in, it is best to keep it, which is what I did......

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

Did you keep the Bernina?

I'm wondering how much they would give you trade in . It may be wise to keep it as a back up unless you do get a good price on a trade in. I don't think I would want to buy a used machine that already has 23 million stitches. But maybe they would use it for parts, Good luck on your decision. Some thing will come along you just have to have and you will be happy with.
Bev

So sorry to hear of your troubles. I would think about trading her in - it will save you the frustration with something that is supposed to be FUN. How big of a hoop do you have with your 2003? And will that be enough or do you feel you need something bigger. I started with the 780D (5*7) and loved embroidery so much I spend a ton and got the Quattro (of course now there is the Quattro 2 and 3). I am very happy with Brother and would stay with them too.

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

I'd love the Quattro, that would be sooo nice. But, would I use it $8000 worth? How many more years will I be sewing? I'm 63, and who knows? IF I knew the Quattro wouldn't give me ANY trouble it might be worth it. But.... I want my husband to be able to retire..... but he probably could retire even if I had the great machine....... but that's a lot of moolah for a machine.... I keep going around in circles!

by pcteddyb 25 Sep 2013

I know, they are very expensive. For me, it has been soooo worth it. I don't see well and the auto thread cutting has been wonderful. My hands aren't what they used to be and the hoop attachment is so much easier on the Quattro than on the 780D. The snowman also made a huge difference for me - so much easier than sticking and resticking to get it in the right place. And, while I could have lived without the big hoops I do love them. Perhaps you could be looking at a gently used Quattro. The Quattro 3 just came out so there could be people trading up. I have not had any issues with my Quattro (only thing it has gone to the shop for is a tune-up and I have around 7 million stitches on it in less than three years).

I've been looking to upgrade but I haven't picked one yet. One sewing machine shop told me to look at Brother 1500D & the 2800D if I want to stay with the same size machine and Disney. Otherwise I'm looking at a lot more money and more space needed at my tabletop which happens to be a problem for me.

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by pennifold 24 Sep 2013

I'm a bit peeved sewmom - I bought my Brother Quattro 6700D in November last year and I was just in the shop last week and they tell me they aren't selling Brother anymore! I asked will I still be able to have it serviced and thankfully they can, but I just can't believe that they have gotten out of selling Brother. Love Chris

by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

That would be really upsetting, Chris. What do you think of your machine? Has it given you any problems? Do you use most of the features?

if you know she is going slowly away, I would probably trade her in sooner than later...more stitches means less return...although there probably wont be much difference now .but it would be fun for a new toy...

Oh, I so hope your machine can be saved. I love mine, also have the 2002 that is upgraded to 2003. Except for the inconvenience of not having a USB port, and I really don't mind, i think it is the best Brother ever sold, and better made (in Japan!). I'm trying to make mine last until my toes turn up. Much good luck with your baby.

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by hightechgrammy 24 Sep 2013

I really have loved the Ult 2003, and I have all the extra hoops, and it's smaller than most machines, and I know this machine inside and out and it's certainly paid for. But it isn't dependable anymore. I just really want it to work.

I love my Brother PE770 it sews up to 5 x 7 and is very easy to operate. It wasn't very expensive. Bought it at Wal Mart for around $500.00. Hope this helps. I've had it about 5 years and it is still going strong.

More bad news - it just isn't your day is it?

That's about where I am with my 780D------The shop I bought from is out of busines---they couldn't fix it anyway----It was a floor model and I got it for a good price---BUT they didn't even know how to run it---It is as simple as you can get----I've had it about 3 years---always go back to my almost 10 year old PE150--4x4---no high tech stuff---doesn't cut thread---doesn't tell you when the bobbin runs out of thread---BUTTT--you put a design on the card-push the button and it stitches along perfectly!!!!!Hope you make a decision that is BEST FOR YOU!!God bless you!!!!!!