reccommendations for machine purchase

[marief504]

Hi there! I want to buy a used (07 or 08) embroidery machine to do mostly mongramming on high end home fashions ( a large sewing field is VIP). I am looking at Melco/Ayma, Toyota 9100, Tajima and a product called Meistegram (told it was just like the Toyota but can't be networked and is therefor cheeper). I want something easy to operate, is durable and reasonable to service. Can adybody offer advise??

[jacosandy]

I would stay away from Meistegram, in my searching I have only came across negative comments about this company or machine. Stick with the well known machines. I am going with the Ayma XT as soon as Easter is over here in Central America, everything is shutting down so have to wait, even my husband is excited to go see it. Good luck with your purchase.

[gcannon]

Meistergrams are dinosaurs!

[signman]

There is a LOT of slightly used Amaya XT's on the market right now-shops shutting down all over the country. You should have no problem picking up a 2008 or 2009 XT WITH factory warranty and almost new (low hours) for a lot less money than a brand new one...or go for the stripped down amaya (Sal Lucchese is advertising them on his website) but also you can buy from your local Melco salesperson.
Go for the complete package-with design shop pro, etc. because chances are good once you start sewing, you are going to need more than monograms!
Good luck and welcome to 'owning your own business headaches'...LOL

[flebow]

"?Meistergrams are dinosaurs!"

"I would stay away from Meistegram, in my searching I have only came across negative comments about this company or machine. Stick with the well known machines..."

"There is a LOT of slightly used Amaya XT's on the market right now-shops shutting down all over the country.."

I am not a machine tech but I have been hanging around them for 35 yrs
I make stabilizers that are used on all machines
So I have no vested interest - I agree w all th above statements

Toyota, Amaya - Tajima and Barudan are all good machines as is SWF, Brother and the small Happy machines

Fred

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Meistergrams have unfortunately gone to China.
Once upon a time, Meistergram was a German made machine that offered a unique stitch. However the name has been sold a couple of times and you can now find it on a standard chinese made machine for around $10K new. The only problem is that the machine's longevity isn't worth poop. I serviced a Meistergram several months ago because it wasn't trimming correctly and I found that it was due to the needles not being calibrated correctly. Yes! All of the needles needed adjusting as well as the trimmer system and the customer told me that the salesman who sold it to her wouldn't return her calls. Go figure.
Her sister bought the same machine at the same time as she did and she has already had two broken reciprocators in less than a year. They are just made so cheap it's scary!!

Ed
Machine Tech & Trainer

[oldkush]

Have to agree with everything said about the Meistergram machines.

Whoever suggested [I'm assuming a sales rep?] that the Meistergram is "just like the Toyota but can't be networked and is therefor cheaper" was not telling the truth and should have his/her lips stitched shut

The Meistergram company of today is not the same Meistergram which built a solid reputation decades ago. As Ed has already suggested, the Meistergram name has been sold a number of times.

The new Meistergram machines are manufactured in China and like virtually all other machines coming out of that country, they are inferior copies of the Tajima design.

Chinese made machines started coming into North America 8 years ago or more. To date no Chinese machine has been successful in earning a reputation for quality, dependability and support.

For anyone looking to buy an embroidery machine .... stick to machine companies that have a good reputation and have proven themselves. Look at Melco, Toyota, Barudan, Tajima, Happy, Brother, ZSK, SWF, etc.

Bob