Bernina 880

[Cindy G.]

Owning a Bernina is a dream of mine , I think Bernina has a more cost effective model but since I already have a good reliable machine ( well three backups are always needed right ? ) I'll wait till I can justify buying any other machine since I have three I need to wear out first.

[Cindy G.]

Well, here sits a very frustrated 880 owner. Ever since I bought the machine 6 months ago it has been Trouble. It's difficult for a machine tech to figure out the problems, due to the electronics of the machine. While embroidering (nearly finished), the presser foot did a jump to the left (with one hole plate in). It slammed and banged, pulled the plate right off the machine and the biggest mess ever happened right in front of me. Error messages started scrolling across the window.....it was a mess. I took it into the dealer and the tech. Looked at it. Of course it didn't go wonky on him, but the scrolling I had captured in my iPhone, so he sent that to Bernina. They couldn't figure out what was going on. The machine had been acting odd, hearing a spinning in the bobbin area, then ratnests in the thread. They never could figure out what happened, and I brought it home. The bobbin spinning is still going on, and the rats nests I get are aggrevating as all get out. It's been in the shop 3 times in 6 months....they can't find the problem, so said it must be my power. Unbelievable! We have really good power and I have the machine on a power box that has battery backup. There have never been power interruptions since we built the sewing room, a year ago. I wish I would have gotten the babylock. Hindsight.

[Betty J.]

So sorry you are having this problem. It must be fixed. You may need to take it to another Bernina dealer to see if they can determine what is wrong, but I would certainly make sure Bernina fixed or even replaced my machine. I truly love my 830 LE and you have something really wrong with your machine. It should be made right. :|

[Betty J.]

So sorry for your problems. it is so discouraging when the cost of the machine is so high. Have them send the machine to Aurora Il, the USA headquarters. You should save the cell phone video and send that on too. Your dealer should be agreeable to sending the machine. Maybe they can figure out what the problem is. I finally bought a Brother and got rid of my 820, it was so expensive and never worked right. I recognize your problems.
Rosehillann

[Beverly C.]

I agree. When I first bought my 730 I would be embroidering along and suddenly it would speed up and no button I pushed would stop it. I had to unplug the power. I took it to my dealer and of course it would not do it for them! But they kept it for a while, and replaced the computer board for me. It has run perfectly since then.

[Beverly C.]

I wish it were that simple here. I truly think it is in the number of stitches that it stitches. I can do a good amount of sewing, with no problem. Then, bang, all hail happens....if I knew when yo expect it, that eould help a bit, but no warning. My dealer really doesn't care much one way or the other, the tech there is a floater ...he goes to all of the shops, does work on all machines. Bernina could care less, I am aware of that. It does have speed up problems as well, just a lemon. Where's the lemon law on sewing machines?

[Beverly C.]

It sounds like Bernina needs to rethink what they are doing. It is so sad that a wonderful brand is putting out very exxpensive machines that do not perform as advertised. Their best machines were made in the 80's. I love my bernina 930 record. I met the Pres of the company and said I love that machine and asked why they decided not to continue making parts for the 930 and 830 record machines. He gave me an "are you crazy" look and said they are busy making the future machines and cannot support the older ones.

[Beverly C.]

Did you happen to use a credit card with the purchase? If so, most credit cards will handle unhappy customer complaints with the merchant. And there's always the Better Business Bureau.

[E.M. T.]

As some here will remember ,...I've had multiple melt-downs over my 820 !! I bought it from a
"bad" dealer, who used a terrible technician....they lost parts, lied and caused me much grief !
They went out of business a year or so later....I've had better luck the last 2 yrs....but still troubles
from time to time...I'm 120 miles 1 way from dealer/tech( another new tech) and just got home from
retreevel ( ops: spelling)in 100 degree weather today !! Praying all's fixed !! I love it when it sews...
call it every dang name,the nicest of which is LEMON :twisted: when it doesn't :!: .....don't give up...
find a new dealer..find a new tech....there IS hope ! It has taken five years + But I couldn't sell it in good
faith...so might as well stick it out ! Perhaps you will be able too as well. The longer the machine is out
the better service you may have as they learn ! New dealer...new tech !! She's a Diva !! :mrgreen:

[Norma H.]

I feel so sorry for you people that experience so many problems with their precious machines. I hope you can find a dealer that really will take care of your problems. The dealer is the most important part when you buy a machine like this. I wish you all the luck in the world to get this solved.
I have the 830 and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Betty J.]

Yes, Norma, you said it just right. I too have found my wonderful 830 to have helped me obtain a much greater level of quilting, sewing, and embellishment. It makes me really sorry to hear people having such problems with their machines when I know what they can do when they work well.

[Susan B.]

Needlenppins: With utmost sympathy for your problems, I'm thinking about what you describe with embroidery and wondering...does this happen on all designs or just one? And have you tried a different stabilizer and maybe a different bobbin thread? I would get this from time to time on my 730, but it was usually bad digitizing, which happens.

Sometimes, it's those awful OESD sticky stabilizers.

By the way, what's your name? We like to call people names, oh, I meant "by their real name" :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Susan B.]

I have a 880 on order. Picking it up next week. I will let you know how it turns out. Hoping I do not have any of those problems.

Norina

[Susan B.]

Lucky, Norina! Are you resting up for all those all-nighters? Have fun with your new machine! Show us when you make something pretty!

[Susan B.]

I'm also so sorry for all of you that have had trouble and "bad luck" with both machines and dealers.
I got myself an 830 February at 2011. After a few trouble shoting and 3 times back to the dealer the first year, it have workt perfect.
The troubles I had was because I was not informed how a few things worked and a few thing did not work.
It was my first Bernina after owning a Brother 4000D and Huskvarna, so it was new things to learn on a new brand.
It was when I got my 830 I meet some quilting friends,.... Crazy pack of ladies hwo cut beautiful fabric in to small small pieces,.. Made repeating blocks ,.. piles of them ,..... Well ,.. After a few month I was totally hocked .
I love my 830 , but I did miss a few things on it and 1 month ago I realiced that the 880 maby was something for me
I sold my 830 to a lovely young lady a week ago and this weekend I got myself an 880. This dealer had one for show in the store and I could bring it home right away.
At home I made myself a bowl of popcorn and started playing on the screen ,... It is sooooo asum <3333
I found out several new things already ,... I totally love it ,....