HELP

I think you have definitely made the right decision...in the meantime, you should let the other dealers in that you are considering know what you are looking for...they may come across a wonderful deal and can let you know...perhaps even a machine from one of the trade shows that has a full warranty but is used only at a show....

Michelle, I think that you are going to find peace with your decision. I too had purchased quite a bit and 2 machines from a certain shop which now treats me like I am not very important at all. This last time the purchase was made where the service is great, treated with respect and I just love the place!!! Good luck and get those Christmas sales done! :O)

Good on you, Michelle, you have taken the right decision, don't allow anyone to bully you. This way you please yourself and your hubby and will have peace of mind.
Hugs, Lidia

Thanks everyone for your advice,
I have made (a new business woman's) my decision.
I will not be giving this guy anymore business. I have purchased 4 embroidery machines, 1 sewing machine and one surger from him in the past 3 years, the more I thought about this situation the angrier I got. I did not want to spend $500.00 to repair it but now that it is done, well. After cooling down and thinking about it, I decided I can do better. I will continue to work with my ruby until after the Christmas rush because I have a lot of orders to do. Buying a new machine now means a new learning experience which will take a little time and right now I don't have much to spare. I will save a little more and buy something more commercial/industrial and in the meantime try to develop my Customer base further. I will cross my fingers that my ruby will continue to do the job for me (it should after being repaired). So in the spring I will seriously look into a bigger machine, go the distance if I have to and then I will sell my ruby deluxe myself with all the extra hoops and accessories I have to go with it.
My husband told me to do what I wanted and he would support me in whatever I decided because I am the one dealing with these guys but he is very happy with the decision I have made.
Again thanks for your help, always helps to have another person's prespective.
Hugs to all
Michelle

Go somewhere else. You are fortunate to have some choice in this, and keep your Ruby.

I would walk away. I used to live in Texas but now in Tennessee and have been 'interviewing dealers' to decide who to take my machine to when it needs repair. The closest one, 30 min away, is at the bottom of my list. My 1st choice is 1hr 15min away. It for me is worth the drive to have a trusted dealer.

you live with your husband and this may cause a rift between you n he if you do business with someone he has deemed unworthy of either of you.i would drive the distance but i would investigate what eles there is to do their at the destination point so i could make a day trip out of it.

This machine is supposed to make things easier for you -- not add to your stress. He may think he has you as a customer -- no matter his actions. Remember, the place you buy your machine is most likely the place you will have all the service done to it. The kind of distress you are under right now would be (for me) worth a long drive to another dealer.
My dealer will at least allow the deposit money to be used on another machine or on supplies.
The whole deal seems like a set up. You are now owing nearly $500 for repairs that you did not authorize. If you have that in writing anyplace, you could go to small claims. The very least I would report the shop to the BBB
I would worry that he would repeat this later when he wants you to upgrade again.
Awesome deals can be found at any shop! I would keep the Ruby as a back-up machine -- if you don't have one already.

you know there is something fishy about this large of a deposit and also nonrefundable. My husband would have done the same thing for he felt like this guy was ripping you off. Also you don't get much of a trade in value on your ruby. Best to pay the repairs and sell it yourself for you would make more money. To me this guy is a red flag and i wouldn't trust him. I would look somewhere else and go extra miles to be happy with whatever i bought. I have a viking designer 1 and my dealer didn't ask for any deposit. just be cautious. Our husbands are always watching out for us. Roberta

Brother dealers are few and far between, even though their factory is right here on the West Island I have to travel to Laval for the closest dealer. Good luck with whatever you decide Michelle... Happy Thanksgiving ...Hugs Glenda x0x0x

Wow, this is a tough one...if you decide to go through with this, please make sure you get everything outlined in writing...I wouldn't trust this dealer after such a fiasco...good luck, this is quite a lot of money...I would weight the pros and cons very carefully...he should not have fixed your Ruby in the first place without your consent...

You have to look at this like it's business & for you it is. So way the pros & cons & see what fits you best! Just remember to put your personal feelings aside. Hugs & Best of luck Michelle. Loralye

Sorry to hear about all the grief with the shop owner. However service is the number 1 priority as far as I was concerned.I now travel over 175 miles each way to another dealer but it's the principal of the thing. When I need service I call ahead for an appointment, arrive on time and leave my machine for the time allotted, I have a nice time shopping at the local shops then lunch then pick up my machine. This way I get to go to different shops, and keep up with the latest trends, and I don't deal with the local dealer anymore. I have not given them 1 penny in over 7 years. And YES! when asked why I let people know what a shyster he is!No way will I give anyone $2,000 non-refundable deposit!

OMG this sounds like something that my local Brother dealer would do. I no longer take my Brother to him but drive 1 1/2 hours to a dealer that knows what customer service means. I agree with what stork posted.

Michelle, there is no way I would put down a non-refundable deposit of $2,000. It is not like he cannot order another machine for you, and unlikely he has such high volume business that this machine would be gone, before you made arrangements to purchase it. I think I would check elsewhere on purchasing a new machine, rather than being bullied into that kind of deposit. Most dealers would not require a deposit at all, because they can order you another one in a reasonable amount of time. This dealer is desperate to make a sale and lock it in with the huge deposit. They should be able to wait for you to make financial arrangements. If I decided to go with a different machine/dealer, then I would pay the Ruby repair fee and sell it outright, rather than trade-in, unless I got a price first with no trade, to be sure they are actually allowing you "anything" for the Ruby.
Good luck on your purchase.
Hugs, Angel

I agree with your husband, but it's your decision to make. Good luck!

So is it a BRAVO? I hear they start at 8500 and are upgradeable. Good luck with this decision. You know most shops service/repair most brands, and it will come with warranty so you really need not buy it from the same dealer as who will be servicing it. And you like the son!

What ever you decide if you go for the deal have everything put in writing so there is no he said-she said later. Good luck with your decision. Maybe when Hubby and Dealer cool off they can be civil with each other, that 2,000 deposit would worry me.it's not like someone will walk in off the street and buy it out from under you. Dealer needs to rethink his service policy

To me customer service means a lot and if it means dealing with him too....forget it!!! Peace of mind means more than miles traveled.....
Good luck, it's a big decision.

Wow. what a dilemma. That is a lot of money and you certainly do not want to have future problems with this dealer. As Chris says, weigh all the pros and cons and then make your decisions. I wish you the best of luck with what you decide to do. Hugs, Mary

WOW! I hope you can sort something out - service is what it's all about Michelle. You are going to have to weigh up the pros and cons. Make a list of all that is good about this place and what is bad about it and see which side wins out. It's a lot of money to out-lay and after all it's you who has to be happy and able to face up to the shop-owner. Maybe deal with the son in the future! Good luck, love and blessings Chris