Chinese Imported Sewing Machines

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, kgg said:

Why the difference, the dealer in Toronto didn't sell at a loss so it pays to shop around.

Different dealers have different overheads (rent or property taxes, business taxes, electricity, heating fuel, phones, Internet, employees making above avg hours wages, employee benefits,  insurance). Also, larger dealerships selling larger volumes of a particular brand may get a price break when they order multiple machines at a time from the wholesaler; i.e., volume discount at the wholesale level. Then, dealers have to pay shipping from the wholesale source and do paperwork, pay fees and import duty and taxes up front if they imported the machines themselves. Finally, the new machines usually have to be picked up from a terminal or warehouse, involving fuel expense, vehicle insurance, fleet maintenance, then uncrated, degreased, assembled, lubed, timed and sewn off before they are sold.

I used to work for an industrial sewing machine shop when I lived in Toronto. They sold tons of Juki machines of every shape and function. There were a lot of employees and trucks. I know the ropes.

[dikman]

I've been trying to get a price out of Keestar, should be simple, just ask for FOB price like all the others. Nope, they want to know what I'm making, what type of leather I'm using and want my email address to send me literature. I told them I want a 441-type machine, what is so hard about giving me their FOB price?

[dikman]

Finally got a price from Keestar, $1310. She suggested an Adler clone that they sell would be better - but at double the price I think not!!

So far the cheapest price is $938.

[Bert51]

Those prices are better then dealer quoted prices, now all you have to do workout which one to deal with.

I wonder if you could ask if they test the machine before shipping?

Bert.

[dikman]

My guess would be that the most they would do is turn over the machine by hand to make sure it at least moves before leaving the factory.

If it's bought from the factory that assembles them then I guess there's a better chance that it will have at least been examined as the final stage. If it comes from a reseller, and apparently there are quite a few on alibaba, then the reseller wouldn't check it they would basically on-ship it as it came from the factory. Keestar, while a bit more expensive than some, sounds promising. They apparently manufacture a wide range of sewing machines and the woman I've swapped emails with said that if there is any problem with damaged parts they simply send them out. At least it's a name I've heard of.

I've just emailed the customs broker to ask for a quote based on this machine, although the size/weight won't vary regardless of where I buy it from.

[shoepatcher]

Keestar makes some pretty good machines.  I would go with them.   I recommended their Adler clone some years ago to a company and they have been quite happy with it.  Please know the Adler clone is a more expensive machine to produce.   You are not talking a lot of money here between the companies on the 441 Clone.  Go with one that is proven for the extra money.   Some of these companies are unknown as to what kind of quality they produce.  I have seen Keestar machines and they look good and work good.  Your call.  Keep in mind you will have to go thru the machine when you get it just like our dealers listed here do.  Only way to guarantee you do not have problems in the future.

Glenn

[dikman]

Thanks for your input, Glenn. I would love to buy the cheapest, just to see what it's like, but like most of us I have to try and get it right the first time. The little voice inside is saying Keestar, and I've ignored this voice in the past and got things wrong! I've always intended to go through whatever I get, to both check it out and to get familiar with it. I've managed to resurrect/adjust a few machines now so I don't consider it as a big deal.

Now I'll need to find a source for extra feet, needles and thread (thread heavier than #138 is not that common here). More expense.

[Bert51]

If the Keestar Adler copy is half as good as my 105, then it's a good machine.

Bert.

[Wizcrafts]

5 hours ago, dikman said:

Now I'll need to find a source for extra feet, needles and thread (thread heavier than #138 is not that common here). More expense.

Can't you buy those items from Keestar? Surely they offer presser feet, throat plates, edge guides, thread and needles for the machines they are cloning... Or, do they expect buyers of their machines to buy feet and other accessories from CowboySew/Hightex?

[dikman]

Yes, I just found out that they have assorted bits. I'll start another thread about it.