dfrank27 wrote:
UPDATE - I just got the word from Ricky's admin, Pat, that the Cheyenne seminar has been delayed. Sigh.

:shock: It will be rescheduled, but it is going to be awhile.

Two items -

Judy - would love to meet you. Sharon is right; we DO like to go to dinner. Hey I have some FREE coffees for Starbucks too.

Second item - this is causing some concern to me...I saw Ricky's email and I checked his web site. The Cheyenne Seminar has been removed from the upcoming list and it does not appear on his 2012 schedule. I had been communicating with Ricky's admin. and I did not hear about this. I have sent an email inquiry. :shock: :shock: :shock:

Still hoping - Diane

would love to meet you, name and time and place and we will go for dinner. Diane and I are good at that. LOL

Sharon

Judy,

I'm not sure who you are, but your profile lists your location as Rock Springs, Wyoming!

Diane and Sharon -- we need to get together. I am in Loveland.

Judy

sewengel wrote:
Sharon - You'll be famous!! I'm looking forward to the seminar. Let's see...two of us plan to attend. Anyone else?

Regards,

Diane

Diane and all -- apparently I have a BIG mouth. Someone in our guild knew that I attended a SS in Seattle in 2009 and I will be presenting a program at the March guild meeting on the seminar and my experience. Three months to worry and plan. If the Febr. lady backs out I will do that month. I am actually thinking of attending the June one. Things change and it's only 1 hour from me too. Diane and I can drive together.

Sharon

Eileen, you are not naive at all. You state what everybody would expect, but it's not the case. It's the market forces that determine the pricing for big companies like Bernina.

And, even though Bernina does have a factory in Switzerland where a lot of their machines are made, they also have a factory somewhere abroad. Again, that it not unusual these days. For example, Husqvarna used to be produced exclusively in Sweden, but these days some of their machines are made in Sweden and some are made in China.

It's the same with embroidery threads: DMC six-strand cotton thread is substantially cheaper in the US than in Europe, and the company has had a policy for years that their US retailers were not allowed to accept orders from abroad. I have done a lot of 'exchange deals' for those threads over the years: DMC from the US for tea and chocolates from the UK, for example.

Lorchen wrote:
Lorchen, You give me at least one big smile or one good chuckle every day. Bless you! Here in the states you can rent time on a longarm machine. . .often this is at the LQS.

Maybe I'm being naive but-Berninas are manufactured in Switzerland, right? No matter the market, shouldn't they be less expensive on the continent? No tariffs, etc.

Rita, I don't know what machine you have, but as Bernina is starting to slowly 'phase out' the 400 and the 600 series, there may be some bargains with some of the dealers. But we'll still pay a lot more for the same machines here in Europe. I guess it's all market forces. The Us is the largest market for sewing machines and they need to be competitive. This autumn (or should I say 'fall') there were some special offers available when you purchased a Bernina in the US, but not in Europe. Big sigh.......

There is of course the following argument against a Bernina 820/830: They are really too big to take with you, so you'd need a second machine to take to workshops or when getting together with friends.

I wonder if sooner or later some of the quiltshops will come up with a 'Rent a Machine' scheme. So you could go there for a few hours and pay for using an 830 or a longarm machine. I'd definitely be tempted.

And finally: When will the Super Seminars hit Europe??? But with my luck, if that ever happens, the dates will be during term time and so I won't be able to go. Ah well, let's face it, we should forget about anything that annoys us a little, and focus on what's right in front of us: TQS!!! Available 24 hours a day, and definitely the best thing since sliced bread!!

eileenkny wrote:
I was at the Knitting and Stitching show at the RDS Dublin today and judging from the prices of the Berninas (the 830 was priced at €7,400 or so) you would have to save up until you were 101 years old to be able to afford one here in Ireland!

eileenkny wrote: What a great story. . .If I had the chance to meet her, I'd hug and say "You go girl!"

This will be my second one! I went to Glens Falls, NY in 2008. That's the one where the 101 yr. old lady bought herself a new Bernina!