Cobra, Cowboy Or Ferdco?

[BitterBeard]

Local dealer had Ferdco pro 2000 $3200 out the door with 90 days warranty through them then I had to ship the head unit out of state if it needs service. They do not work on the machines in their shop, which was kind of a bummer. They repaired my Merrow A-3DW and it's ran like a champ for a year now, their repair guy is a really cool person. I would be okay paying a little more if I could just drive the head unit down to a shop if things were having issues, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the 441. Also the feet and plates along with the thread they hook you up with isn't as good as the other two, which isn't a huge deal to me but it still factors in. The major thing is not having the local drop off and being the most costly, I did ask about showing me how it works like TinkerTailer said and the sales guy said I've done enough business with them that they have no issue showing me what they know even if I don't buy this machine through them. I buy all my supplies through them already if they carry it, just to support the local business.

Cowboy was their premium package 2795 plus 230 shipping to my door. They did offer pickup at a local shipper for 150 but I'd have to drive 90mins one direction with no traffic, saving of 65 bucks.

Cobra is doing a show in a local town Prescott, AZ later this month and they will have a 2695 show deal. I can pick up a machine there AND then visit some family in Prescott. This seems like the most tempting deal to me.

Again thank you everyone for the input, once again this forum proves invaluable with information. I'll show my support by picking up a subscription to support it.

Edited February 1, 2016 by BitterBeard

[JLSleather]

Are we not thinking this is the SAME machine?

[dirtclod]

Buy whatever you want. But it seems to me your just thinking about saving a few dollars. In the twenty plus years I have owned my Pro 2000 all I have ever done it is replace one tension spring and a couple of new tires for the winder. Never had to reset the timeing, very rarely have adjust tehison from thick to thin. Plus you get the special parts that Ferdco came up with. Like I said at the start buy whatever you want.

[BitterBeard]

Are we not thinking this is the SAME machine?

cobra_DISCOUNTS.jpg

Yeah that's the machine, I linked them all in my original post to their respective seller.

Buy whatever you want. But it seems to me your just thinking about saving a few dollars. In the twenty plus years I have owned my Pro 2000 all I have ever done it is replace one tension spring and a couple of new tires for the winder. Never had to reset the timeing, very rarely have adjust tehison from thick to thin. Plus you get the special parts that Ferdco came up with. Like I said at the start buy whatever you want.

I asked if the machine they were selling was the Juki 441 frame like you have and they said no, theirs was just like the Cowboy and Cobra where the frames are made in China and then each respective company adds their own colors and features. The Pro 2000 you have I'd have to find used and I would but there is nothing on my local craigslist I can locate or anything on Ebay. I'd like to finish this hunt up in the next week or two.

Also thanks Colt W Knight for linking to that Toledo deal as well, just realized that rereading this thread.

Edited February 2, 2016 by BitterBeard

[houndsnmules]

I have had a Ferdco pro 2000 for close to twenty years, I would recommend the machine. The web page is still out there that tells you what parts are specific to the Ferdco's. As to the other machines I'm sure they sew well also. Find out if the parts are still unique to the Ferdco and if they help with stitch quality.

Edited February 3, 2016 by houndsnmules