Is it always this difficult?

[Handstitched]

18 hours ago, JayEhl said:

but I do have an expectation that when I buy ANYTHING new it should work out of the box.

I second .... triple that   

Thats what happened with me, luckily . It sewed exactly as I expected, and as advertised in the  horsey magazine .  

I can see this thread continuing  for a little while yet . 

HS

[Doc Reaper]

Dude, go check the mail you have on here, it will help you - I promise 

[Doc Reaper]

This thread is confusing and intimidating to a new buyer, look at a the input, JLSleather call me at 980-621-5851. I have purchased from a couple of ya, but damn, I had to read through Britannica just to get to here, and it’s less than 24 hours old

[JLSleather]

2 hours ago, jrdunn said:

I want my machine to work out of the box. 

And you SHOULD EXPECT that.

SERIOUSLY folks, if you don't already know how, then LEARN to distinguish between what you HEARD and what you KNOW to be true.  What you heard / read MIGHT be true, but just BECAUSE you heard it doesn't make it true. Like ...

Q:  If you're wanting to lose a few pounds, which is better - low carb or low fat?

A:  Depends on who is paying for the ad.

 

Seriously, I've 'shopped' with Bob at Toledo for a good while.  I'm gonna say he's been more than patient, since he always gets down to what I need and sometimes has suggestions on what a guy might do or not do.  He might get busy, depending on orders 'n' such - I'm not his ONLY shopper.  But leave a message and he's ALWAYS called me back same day - usually within an hour.  NOW- I'm telling you this is TRUE, but YOU should have it in your mind that its SOMETHING YOU HEARD, and continue to gather information until you're comfortable making YOUR OWN DECISION.  That's a pretty good reference for Ryan Neel just back a bit here, but again - that's SOMETHING YOU HEARD (and MAY be true in SOME cases, or ALL cases, or maybe JUST THAT ONE TIME).  Contact the guy and ask some questions.

 

Edited February 22, 2022 by JLSleather

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

if my memory serves me correctly, Ryan Neel has been in the business of distributing machines since 2003. And before that was in the business of making saddles and tack since he was in his teen years. He holds the patent for the invention of the hand operated cowboy outlaw. So I must say he’s anything but new to business and customer service. I think what sets him apart and gives him the ability to shine is the fact that his business is family operated. When I’ve made the drive over to his shop, I’ve met in person a few of his workers/family members and they are all equally talented and helpful as Ryan himself.

Also I must say, I’ve walked thru the shipment room of his shop. The amount of packages that are waiting to be picked up by UPS/FEDEX postal carriers is absolutely amazing! I say amazing because that to me proves how busy he is, but yet still able to provide great customer service as if I was his only customer! Truly amazing!

and to my fellow forum craftsman I in no way shape or form have any benefit by promoting Ryan’s business. Just an extremely satisfied customer that wanted to share my numerous interactions with the rest of you!

 

[Tequila]

@Rubicon04  I was going through a lot of what you talked about, my final decision was to buy from Leather Machine Co.  I spoke to David, actually spoke to him a few times, I found him to be helpful and I liked the warranty they have.  He also told me there would be a shipping delay and explained why, I hate to wait but understood what the hold up was.

 @chuck123wapati  I wish there was a like button for your post.  

I too expect something to work when I buy it, and like many others I’ve been disappointed on occasion, most recently on a round knife, but I’m realistic on my expectations.  I do expect my new sewing machine to work when I get it, it will have a sample of it’s sewing still in the machine.  Now if I change the thread/needle/leather thickness I anticipate that I may have to make some minor adjustment.  Here’s an analogy that I thought of:  I regularly shoot a model 1873 rifle and it’s accurate at the distance I shoot.  If I want to shoot it at a greater distance well then I’m going to have to change the sight’s height, adjust the powder charge and change the bullet weight.  Will it work?  Sure, but I have to be realistic in my expectations, it will never be accurate out to a mile, it’s just beyond the guns ability.  Can I sew a one inch piece of leather on the machine I bought?  No, it’s beyond the machine’s capability.   Have a sewing machine work out of the box?  Yes, but some minor adjustments may be needed and what’s important to me is to be able to make a phone call and get guidance when I don’t know how to make that adjustment.    

[JLSleather]

22 minutes ago, Tequila said:

If I want to shoot it at a greater distance well then I’m going to have to change the sight’s height, adjust the powder charge and change the bullet weight.

Yup. And somebody in TX buys the SAME new car model as I do in IA is going to set the heater differently than I do.  This is not the same as saying it goes in reverse and drives back in teh same tracks, as long as you don't turn it, only to find that IT DOES NOT do that.  I don't mind adjusting the heater and moving the mirrors - but I shouldn't have to hook up the exhaust before i can drive it.

Now, imagine that you bought a machine BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED that it sews back in the same holes, and that the machine has been tested and tried at the 'shop', all ready to go - in fact, there's a bit of leather still attached to it to "prove" that the machine is ready to go.

And suppose you went to get familiar with the machine and found it DOESNT sew back in the SAME HOLES, but rather wants to pierce the thread previously put there in "forward".

And maybe you call to ask if it's the machine, or if you're simply not doing something correctly.

• And you get a salesman asking you if the machine is plugged in. 
• Yup.
• And is the needle in there ALL THE WAY UP in the needle bar? 
• Uh, yeah, but what has that got to do with it?
• Is the needle 'scarf' to the right? 
• Look, you gonna answer my question or not?!

Now suppose you called some other people who have that same machine.  And they TEST what you're talking about, and find that THEIRS DOESNT DO IT either.  And you call the 'dealer' and tell them that, at which time they STOP TAKING YOUR CALLS 

I posted this on THIS site, and that conversation DISAPPEARED within minutes.  Just DELETED (or maybe just 'hidden').  Now, WHY would that happen?  I'm not making any accusations, since I'm quite good at distinguishing between what I KNOW and what I think MIGHT be the case (a skill that seems almost nonexistent these days).

[Rubicon04]

I reached out this morning via email to Neel thanks to @TheDavidLeathermanShow post. See what type of response I receive from him. 

[Northmount]

On 2/21/2022 at 6:55 AM, JayEhl said:

I'm still waiting from a response from Techsew customer service that I sent on the 16th.  It's just for a part and I guess it doesn't rank as importance as would a new machine inquiry but boy I can only imagine much trouble I would be if I didn't answer an email in almost a week.  I am going to give it a few more days before I send a reminder but gosh, I didn't think I had to.

 

@Techsew Ron  Your attention is required.

[TheDavidLeathermanShow]

@Rubicon04 you won’t be disappointed!

I have never sent an email, but his phone number is 1-330-692-1418 

Time and time again I have called and left a voicemail he has called me back within about an hour or less. If memory serves me correctly his business hours are 8am-6pm but I was just there last week to buy a new servo motor and he met me after hours to help me out like a true gentleman. If you don’t get a prompt response to your email, pick up the phone and give him a shout. I guarantee his response will be in a timely manner.