Only thing I can say is your car maintenance is very cheap. I pay about the same to have my machine serviced and far more to have the car done.

Both my car service and my machine service cost more than that!

It is way too expensive, isn't it! The good thing about getting your machine serviced, is it's then under warranty for a few months. A car never is - LOL I think we are paying as much for the future service, as for what they just did.

Pam, that is about $135.00 Australian dollars for the car and $129.00 for the sewing machine. Our car services cost more than yours too. Anything electronic I believe these days cost stacks! Love Chris

I think my car was about £150.but once a year,the machine when it needs it £78.00.

Must have something to do with volume.
We have car repair shops on every corner with competitive prices for service. The Specilized car service provider will also charge way more.
Now my emb Sew center will only have a few machines to service in one month/year.
BTW,I have never had any of my machines serviced My DS is a fundi.

Pam, not sure where you have your machine done or what make it is. I have 2 Brother machines, the staff at the dealer I go to have been to Brother UK to be trained to work on the machines. There are certificates on the walls for each training course attended. I would look on the internet at what Stocks, Bambers and JB sewing - Newport charge. Our machines are not cheap and I want to have mine looked at by someone who knows about the machine I need servicing, not someone who is having a go at it. Next time your machine might need more work done when serviced so you might feel happier at the cost. I am not sure what I pay but it is well worth every penny spent. I also dont know what we pay for the car

Sheesh, where do you live? I think I'll move to live where you are.
I just paid $984 to have my car fully serviced, it did include replacing the timing belt but still!!!
The first service on my Designer Diamond cost me over $150 and I was not at all happy, I thought the first service should have been free!
hugs n roses, Meganne

I agree I just had my designer 1 serviced and the price went up. Last year it was $79 which is still high but this year it was $119. Personally I think it is to much money for such a simple procedure. I would understand if repairs were needed but just a cleaning? But they have us by the short hairs so there's not much we can do.

Interesting assumption. Perhaps the amounts are relative as the income structure also differs from country to country. I pay more or less converted $70 for a service on my machine (and I do it probably 2x per year). Vehicle service will depend on the type of vehicle - I drive a 4x4 which was serviced a week ago - just filters etc for $1100. We have a smaller vehicle for the kids for which we normally pay $500. We are lucky in that we get a maintenace plan with the cars and in the end the amount is covered by it. So I have more to spend on my designs hehe.

I bought a 4 year extended warranty with both my machines.. was about 300.00 each and I bring them in for service every 6 months or sooner if there is any problem .. that included parts also.. have had the bobbin case changed many times.. was well worth the extra money.. love their service usually only 10 days out.. just have to drive from Oceanside to Mission Viejo.. about 40 minutes on the freeway.. great dealer..

A few years ago I paid something like 150-00 pounds for a service of my D1, now do not take it in because of the cost. yours at least seems not to bad and the car servicing can not believe how cheap. Everything here in the south of UK seems to cost more.

I go to the dealer once a year for a service and I pay Euro 35,- I think that's about$43,- or £27,50. That's for the cleaning and the check. I have a Brother Disney Innovi's 4000D. So not a industrial embr machine.I think if you have a professional/industrial machine the costs are more.

I think of this problem in economical terms. The cost of living is fairly the same for most skilled trade professions. The hourly cost of their labor is meant to be a fair wage. So......I guess that is one way to look at it, versus the size of the car as compared to the size of the machine. Electronics always require a larger knowledge base, than skilled mechanical tasks. And, today, can you find many items that a electronic free? As a principal in an Technology school, I could see that plumbing was at the time, one of the only areas mostly free of electronics, and now, even that has changed. How about the Air conditioning/heating systems controlled remotely? Or all the refirgerators and stoves, microwaves, etc also controlled by electornics? No, we have moved into a new age of equipment repair, and...it requires more sophisticated training or educaiton and more money from us. Too bad, but then, we would not be here communicating either;) hugs and god bless!

With your car you usually have a few options where to take it as with your embroidery machine there seems to be just one choice,take it or leave or send it off somewhere.

Pam, Reading all the cuties answers I think we do well,

http://answers.cuteembroidery.com/8893359_picked-machine-repair-man-might.html

I think the vast majority of ME home sewers sew as a hobby. In tough economic times, people have to give up their hobbies, be it golf, sky diving, or ME. ME isn't any more expensive than my hobby gardening is for me. Bought some new roses, soil, insecticide, and fertilizer this weekend and it was $$$!

On going education for all the changes in machines takes time and money. Plus they have to be mechanics and software techs. Just like a car mechanic, when you find a good one it is worth it.

Thank you Cuties, I feel so much better after reading your comments. I think because it was the first service i did not know what to expect.
Hugs Pam.

Having trouble with mine I hope I don't have to take mine in although I take it to a lovely old chap and he is usually not to expensive, hope he is still there as he must be in his late seventies by now

My dealer once a year embroidery machine service 125+tax sewing machine once a year service 75+tax is not cheap. Maria

I do believe they have us under their thumb don't they - then they tell us - that we have to buy the newer machine if we don't service them properly - to have anything that is worth anything after the 1st year - you have to pay them for their service and the depreciation on our machines awful - at least with a car - it is not.

After reading the answers on here I consider myself so Blessed , my wondeful son is a Bernina Tech and does all mine for just the cost of one of Mum's roast dinners .........and I get to ask any question I like he comes at the drop of a hat if Mum is having a problem with a machine . Wonderful Son . Cathy

It does seem a lot to pay just to oil it and check it over. If they replaced the belts, or did alignment checks on the hoop arms or did actual repair, it wouldn't be so bad, you would be paying for knowledge of how to fix something. But just to oil & dust it out? Can it even take an hour? I'd love a job that paid that much. I keep mine clean & oiled & my fingers crossed. Hugs, Marji

I sure feel the same way I just had a light buned out and when I got it cost me 397$ I wantede to faint away and I will probably never have enoug to buy a newer machine unless I go to walmart and get one of the brothers they have and that means limited designs and stitch sizes. Make me want to cry just thinking about it a brand new machine cost 10,ooo.$ Thas a new car for me and on my income it will never happen. I hae a used designer 1 viking and after paying what I did its now making more noise that I ever heard before and they want me to bring it back . but its so far a way from here and Im afraid I wont be bringing it home anytime soon . Thanks Sherri

I think it is because there are so very few people who know how to work on computerized machines. Sewing was thought to be a dying art till embroidery hit the scene. It is all about supply and demand. How many kids graduating from high school do you hear saying they want to repair computerized sewing machines for a living?

I think that your car service was fairly reasonable but my Bernina shop certainly does not charge that amount for a service on my machines. The last time I took my embroidery machine in for something the old guy said 'no charge' :) :)