California Sewing & Vacuum

What a bunch of incompetent crooks! I could not locate my manual to check, so I took my high-​end Miele Canister Vacuum Cleaner (S5981) with power-​head for them to investigate why the warning light was coming on and the vacuum turning off. Two days later when I had heard nothing from them, I called to find out what their technician found out. I was told that it needed to have the power cord replaced — at a cost of $ 150! My gut reaction was: no, I don’t like this, it doesn’t make sense. So I told them to do nothing and I would pick it up and take it somewhere else, which I did: to a fabulous, competent, clean, efficient, helpful, knowledgeable, totally reliable Miele authorized place in Los Gatos. Wow, what a difference compared to this completely disorganized, messy place on Stevens Creek! The very helpful young man there told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with the power cord, it simply needed to have the Hepa Filter replaced, the power-​head brush replaced and a new belt and to see if there is anything clogging it. I then was able to find the manual online and here is what it said: «What if the vacuum turns off automatically. A warning light comes on to indicate overheating. The vacuum has overheated. The temperature limiter automatically turns the vacuum off. This can occur if, for instance, large articles block the suction tube or when the filter bag is full or contains particles of fine dust. A heavily soiled exhaust or dust compartment filter can also be the cause of overheating. Turn the vacuum off and pull the plug from the outlet. Check for any blockages and allow the vacuum to cool for 30 minutes.» Wow, that’s like vacuum service 101 if you know what you are doing!!! Now, why didn’t this supposedly «professional», «authorized dealer/​servicer» know this? Either they are completely incompetent — or they were trying to take me for a ride? I have a feeling it was both. Fair warning, avoid this place like the plague!

I purchased my very expensive Bernina sewing machine from this location. I returned it for repair. When I got it home it had the same problem. When I took it back and asked the owner what been done to the machine for $ 129 he acted all indignant. I will not return to this location for service.

Compare the prices of the sewing machines elsewhere — this place is not cheap for the same stuff. Also, do not bring your sewing machine for repair here. Just 2 days ago they quoted me $ 89 to tune up my machine, I declined. I went to first alteration shop I found on Stevens Creek, asked them who serviced their sewing machines, went to that guy and paid $ 25 to have my machine run GREAT!

This is the second time I had them work on my Kirby. Neither time did I get a bill that broke out parts from labor. Got a pretty funny rambling explanation from the guy, Razzo I guess.
First time I took it in, they completely rebuilt it. I got a bill with no parts listed, nor labor required to do the rebuild. This was about a year ago.
This time, it would not start so I took it into them for repair. I got a bill that did not break out parts, AGAIN. So I decided to ask for a detailed bill. He said, …This is what we do.” Meaning how they bill everyone I guess.
He did give me the old cord and I could see what happened — the cord was almost worn completely through. SO I said, this is why it would not start, why did you charge me for for a ‘complete’ Service? I didn’t wait for an answer. Will not go back.
He said they have 300 customers, now they only have 299.

I wanted a Bernina 750 and no one in my neck of the woods had one. Called these guys today and yes they had 2! The owner and sales person super sweet and nice and helpful! Thank you for making my birthday wishes come true :)

Large, clean, friendly with easy parking. Take it slow with the side parking — there’s a drop from parking level to the street. Not too far from Santana Row and diagonally opposite from DSW.
I went there to find Simplicity vacuum cleaner bags. They didn’t have the brand name type H but the woman who helped me found an acceptable replacement. They’re not as thick as the Simplicity bags but they’re half the price so worth a try. Plenty of parts and accessories clearly displayed. Lots of thread too.

Our beloved Bernina 930 needed a cleaning due to the needle not moving up and down despite power to the motor (basting stitch issue). Anyway local quotes in Santa Cruz was $ 150+ for a cleaning from a non-​certified Bernina Service Center. Checked the Bernina Website and chose CS&W because it was the closest as well as other very good reviews. Price for the cleaning was $ 119 and they stuck to it and even did some additional care and cleaning on it. They did various stitch samples on some fabric so that I could see the quality of the stitches after the service — perfect.
Easy place to get too, very pleasant people deal with, very fair pricing and no surprises on the bill.
Give them a try and you will be happy just like me!!!

Sales associate are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They are a diverse array of products, both in sewing machines and vacuums. Furthermore, they have a parts and service department, which is helpful because unlike big retailers they can fix your products you purchase.

Thanks Unilocalers.
They actually had the part for a Eureka 1924 G Upright vacuum cleaner.
One phone call; gave them the model # and a brief description for a missing power switch. They had it in stock.
Also, picked up some fresh vacuum bags.
Customer service: fine. It’s big store, that is also a sewing and cloth store.
Parking: in front and side.

I came here because Ray’s was closed due to a convention. I figured I would try a new place & hoped it would be the same turnaround time… I am so disappointed in the service I received here. It will be my first & last time coming here. I dropped off my serger/​overlock machine to get a tune-​up. A gentleman helped me carry it from the door to the back counter & helped me get my machine checked in. He told me that I should get a call in a couple days to let me know what the estimate of my repair should be…
The couple days came & went. Then I finally called a week later, the lady who answered was very nice told me that the technician was out to lunch and that she would have him call me as soon as he got back. He never did.
I called again a week later, and he told me that the plate is broken, and he wasn’t able to even check the machine without a working plate because he didn’t want to do any damage if there was any…
He asked if I could bring in another plate. So I had my husband take it over. But couldn’t he have called me to tell me this? It would have cut down on the days that had gone by… I had to call and check in again… After dropping off the plate that same day, I waited another week with no phone call, and then I called again.
I spoke directly with the technician and he told me that he is working on it and that the parts need were on back order. He told me that the parts would be in the following week & that he’d call me to let me know the update. I was sick the following week so with no phone call or follow up from him, I let it go. Then, I finally called the following week and again the technician answered the phone. He knew exactly who I was after I told him I had dropped off my machine over a month and a half ago… «oh you have the pink serger right?»
me: «yes»
Him: «We’re having trouble finding the parts for it…»
Then silence…
Me: That’s not what you told me two weeks ago. Are you going to be able to fix it?
Him: I’m having trouble finding parts for it.
Me: So you can’t fix it?
Him:: silence:
Me: Should I come pick it up?
Him: yes.
Me: Okay, I’m coming to get it today.
Him: Okay, there will be no Charge.
Me: :CLICK:
I can’t believe he had the nerve to say NO CHARGE. Yeah, no charge, you didn’t do anything!!!
That afternoon, I went in, got my machine, made sure I had everything, and told him how unhappy I was with his customer service. I was straight with him, told him what a disappointment it was, how he lied to me and told me he got parts and then didn’t. Basically spelled everything out for him. I told him he could have called me to tell me. Why was I the only one calling him to follow up EVERY SINGLE TIME? That this didn’t have to drag on for as long as it did. I, myself, lost costumers, because I was unable to take orders from clients. I told him how I was going to buy an embroidery machine from them and now they lost that sale too. I told him I would never come back again, and that I would be sure to let everyone know what horrible customer service I had received. And finally I told him, I hope that you don’t do this to your other customers. He kept trying to speak to my husband that was holding my machine, but I jumped in, and said «I’m talking to you! Talk to me!» He tried to give excuses. but in at the end of it all the only good thing about it was that he did in fact looked remorseful, and he kept saying he was sorry. They get one star for that. I ended up taking my serger to Ray’s on Meridian. I’ll be sure to update their review after my serger is done. (crossing fingers)

Had my Hoover vacuum cleaner in to be fixed. They replaced the belt and charged me $ 60. Month later, doesn’t pick up anything anymore. Go back in and ask them what might cause the belt to blow out again so soon. He just shrugs and says «You know, it’s an old vacuum… sometimes they just need to be replaced». He didn’t even LOOK at it! Proceeded to try to sell me a new vaccuum.
Take same vaccuum to AAA Vaccuum and Sewing down the street. Nice guy there replaces the belt, said the brushes were siezed up and that was causing the belt to go. Fixed it all for $ 45. Runs great now.
California Sewing and Vacuum, you’ve lost a customer.

This is an edited review because I got such bad service from Rozza at Californa Sewing and Vacuum. I purchased a top of the line 830, and a cabinet and handed over 12 000 dollars to this man. The machines sensors had to be replaced. Then about a year later, my needle threader broke. He charged me 149.00. According to every other Bernina Dealer in the area, that part is covered under warrantee for two years! Additionally, this being a computer machine, it has to be updated regularly. Rozza and the staff have no idea about the updates or how to do them. The last time I was there, I showed him my bobbin and how the silver paint flecked off causing the machine alarm to go off. He had told me to bring them in next time I was in the area. Then he got in the habit of running out of the store and hiding when I came in. I asked to staff to exchange the bobbin and one replied «Not without Rozza’s approval» She became very defensive with me and threw a new bobbin at me. I will never go into this store again

I’ve been patronizing this business for a couple of years now. Juanita, their lead sales person is just a gem! She has over half a century of Bernina experience! There is NO high pressure sales here, must have been temporary help as Juanita was out on leave. Shes’ back! Service and advice are top rated and this store is more than 100% better than the other Bernina dealer. I bought my first Bernina and I am VERY HAPPY I purchased my machine here! Dealer is reputable and honest, service is excellent and help is ALWAYS available. Open 7 days a week too.

I recently bought a Bernina Bernette 92C sewing machine here. The reason I went to this store was because it was recommended by a clerk at the fabric-​quilting shop near my house as the best place locally to buy a sewing machine. When I eventually visited the store for the first time, I was not pressured at all by anyone. The lady was very nice, very knowledgeable, and we had no language problems at all. She gave me lots of pertinent and useful information about the various brands of sewing machines as well as a demonstration of what the various machines could do. It was exactly what I needed so I could better decide which machine was right for me. I left that day to think about it, as I usually do when considering a purchase, especially when over $ 100. I got no pressure from anyone in the store. A couple of weeks later I went back and got the machine on sale, saving a lot. I love the sewing machine and I will be back to the store for their monthly Bernina clubmembers class.

My wife is an avid quilter, and after disappointing results from the new Singer sewing machine that we got from these people, we agreed that I should be on the lookout for one of the «older and better built» machine. We found this in the form of a 1984 Singer model 6268 with electronic controls. This machine was everything that she needed and worked well for several years. But when she went to turn it on a few weeks ago — nothing; the work light came on but nothing else.
We took it into California Sewing & Vacuum, and were immediately attacked by a sales person who tried to pressure us into buying a new machine. I had to say NO many times before she finally gave up and took the machine in for repair. They quoted $ 89 and approximately one week to get it back, and that they would call when it was ready. When we had not heard back after two weeks, my wife called and was told that the logic board was bad and it would be $ 375 + $ 179 labor to replace it. Since our business got Obamanated along with the economy, we just didn’t have that kind of money, so we told them no and picked the machine up unrepaired.
While the mechanics of a sewing machine scare me, I can fix anything electronic, so I decided to take a look inside. Once I got it open, it only took minutes to find and replace the bad 80 cent fuse, and the machine is back in service. I know times are bad — but do they have to resort to these tactics to sell machines? I also know that we won’t be going back there under any conditions ever. This is especially disappointing since we have had good service from them in the past.

I found this shop looking for accessories for my 30+ year old Bernina sewing machine. There was «something» about the place that compelled me to return again and again, speaking with the employees (different ones on different days) and playing around with new machines. Oh, they got my old machine working like new .it’s really sweet. but I was fascinated with the newer models and finally made the decision to get one. This purchase was made totally without pressure, which I appreciated. When I experienced problems with my new machine, the owner of the store made certain that the problem was fixed to my full and complete satisfaction. I have been treated like an important customer from the first moment I was in the store. Based on my experience I know I purchased my Bernina 830 from the right place.

I don’t know what these other folks’ problems really were, but it wasn’t this place. The help was great, and the selection was great. The prices were fine too, same as Joanne’s, but for me the most important thing was getting what I needed. I’m a beginner sewer with a machine I inherited and had tons of questions, but the folks (both english speaking AND non english first language, sabe?) were experienced, knowledgeable and kind. Even the vacuum cleaner guy was helping with good advice– if the person below had a problem with him then the only people they get along with are probably their therapists.
Given the generally hard times, the fact that they are moving to a building that they bought testifies to the fact that they must be doing something right.

When we walked in the store, the two employees just stood in the back corner of the store and wouldn’t even walk up to us to provide assistance. Furthermore, they did not speak English well enough to provide good help with their products. Never again!

Don’t expect to get great cutomer service here. This is the type of place you have to know what you want before you go in. I came equipped with my vacuum make and model number and still the guy couldn’t help me. He wanted me to call home, and ask what the bag number was. Well that would be great if I hadn’t ran out of bags, and threw the last full one in the garbage. They guy was friendly, but just wouldn’t look anything up for me. My husband ended up digging in our trash to get the bag number off the one we tossed. What kind of service is this? We have had cords replaced in the past here, but I really think we will be looking for another vacuum place.