Saturday, June 27, 2009

r.i.p.

Today I'm mourning the loss of a companion of nearly 20 years. My Husqvarna Viking sewing machine, number 6020. After valiantly hemming countless pairs of jeans, hundreds of yards of quilter's cotton and slogging through more polar fleece than I care to think about, my trusty Swedish sidekick gave up the ghost sewing, of all things, a pot holder.


I rushed it to Adam, the sewing machine doc, with hopes of a quick lube job and tune up, maybe even a transplant, but I read the bad news on his face as he heaved it onto the counter. Adam delivered the bad news, then steered me over to the new Vikings, and demonstrated the wonders of modern sewing machine technology. He's shrewd, that Adam. He didn't show me the top of the line Vikings, on the contrary, he proffered an updated model with just enough improvements over my old friend to tempt me.



Automatic buttonholes! Built in needle threader! An up/down needle control! Variable speeds! I barely kept myself from swooning. When I saw the price for these perks, I reluctantly snapped out of his spell and got down to business. How much to fix it? ($260+) That's about half the price of a new machine.
I'm tempted, but thinking it over.

What do you think? Is it worth it? Am I a traitor?

5 comments:

  1. Oh Noes! I'd say repair it - do you think it will last another 20 years? If it's a really extensive repair, however, it might be worth purchasing the new machine if it will be trouble free for a long time.

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  2. Oh, no! I sympathize with your loss!

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  3. Hmm. Not unlike my quandary over facebook or linkedin. Do I succumb to the sexy benefits of the new technology that allows me to download photos and share with my friends, or do I simply call them and schedule lunch where we can share prints? Do I agree to be linked to a friend and 367 of her closest colleagues or do I diligently stay in touch with the 25 I can manage in my contact list? Here are some questions:
    Does this new techology make your life easier or more difficult (e.g., does the time it will take you to learn it justify the added features)? Are the features so beyond cool (and difficult) that you will really never use them? Ask anyone about Microsoft Project.
    What is the longevity of the new techology and the service that follows it (e.g., how long do the new products last, and/or does the manufacturer release 1700 new products per year and you'll have a difficult time servicing it in the future)?
    Are the new features significantly improved from the techology you currently have, or are they sexied up to make you believe they are?
    What is the price of parts and service as compared to the old friend?
    Are you willing to give up an old friend you know how to communicate with in favor of a new one with whom you'll have to learn to dance?

    Good luck. Love you lots.
    T

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  4. gosh...not sure what I'd do...maybe look around at a few more new machines and try to get a less expensive model...best of luck!

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  5. Oh, that is a hard blow, and hard to take. I have three machines now, only one of which works, but I can't bear to part with my old friends. Someday I will muster the courage to...to...what does one do?

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what do you think?