Tidewater Sew-Vac — Attraction in Portsmouth

I had to take a day or two prior to writing this to ensure it was a fair and accurate assessment without emotion.. I've visited this location on several occasions to purchase fabric for quilting with zero issues. I decided to upgrade to a standalone embroidery and after tons of research I found a machine I wanted. I asked the repairman/salesman if he could tell me about the machine and its features. It started with Janome makes good machines but the Brother would be better. He pointed out several features that the Janome just couldn't do. We discussed several options for Brother all while stressing the "Janome can't do this". I did some research that night and all the things he said the Janome couldn't do it actually does! No I didn't walk away here! I just assumed it was confusion. He brought a more expensive machine over for me to see, (it had some desirable features, including a hat hoop and free motion accessory). But I couldn't test drive it. Trust me, I understand the difference in value when you allow me to make a new machine now used! Why not refer me to a shop that has one on the floor or bring a used one over for me to see? Would have been less of a waist of our time. This is when I was told the $900 hat hoop wasn't included and would have to be purchased separately even though on their website it is listed as an included accessory. He claimed that, if I used Synchrony Credit that Tidewater S&V would pay the interest on my purchase, so they could only sell it a MSRP, but he would add in some used hoops, all while stating more than once that the hat hoop isn't included. Now we would basically be Co-Owners cause they would pay my interest for me on a credit line that is mine. I know, doesn't make any sense! Among the machine capabilities that they claimed the Janome lacked, was that if I lost power I would loose all my work and have to restart. On my last visit this was the only comparison left as I had stated to one of the other employees the day before that he was incorrect about all the features he claimed the Janome didn't have. I just knew that if I went in and spoke to the Lady I normally worked with that all the confusion would be cleared up. But No.. Her first comment to me was I hear your a little wishy washy. When I explained my position, all she kept saying is "You know if you loose power", "I don't think your going to be happy with that machine" Crazy Right? After a week of frustration, I went somewhere else. Wouldn't you know it. Everything they said this machine wouldn't do, it does in fact do. So I don't understand all the lies. It's crazy that the MSRP on the machine I wanted was only $400 less than the Brother he initially suggested I buy. Why didn't you just sell me the machine I first inquired about? Why push me towards Brother? I understand looking out for a customer, but that's not what I got, I got a lot of false information. It worked out for me in the end. I found an amazing shop, with amazing employees, and purchased my machine for an amazing price. Oh and that No Memory Function, Yep you guessed it!!! I turned my machine on this morning, guess what it asked me. Resume last pattern?... Talk about lack of memory, you would think it would have remembered that I finished the project last night. So much for the power loss excuse. Do your research, I can't stress that enough! Don't let these people make you feel like you have to get anything other than what you want. Sad thing is I need to get fabric to finish a project but have no desire to go back there. I'd rather drive 30 minutes to Hobby Lobby or order online, so that I never give this company another penny. Not to mention that now every time I see the name Brother, I cringe. I also need to call and cancel the class I signed up for now that I know who I'm dealing with. Thank you...

I am very disappointed with this store and staff. I have been here twice and each time I have been waiting at the counter for at least 15 minutes while the staff socializes with other people in the store, who are clearly regulars. The worst part though, is that there were other regulars who came in after me, and were helped before me. I depend upon my sewing machine as I have a business to run. After finally being helped by an older lady who was clearly not very familiar with what she was doing, she asked me what I needed, and I calmly told her, she wrote something on a sticky note and put my machine on the end of the counter. I asked her how long it would take to get my machine fixed and she said the repair man was heading to DC in a little bit and wouldn't be back until next week and there was other equipment ahead of my sewing machine so the wait would be at least 2 weeks. I asked if they sold machines that were used or rented, but they had none. On my way out, one of the ladies who came in after me and was helped before me, followed me out of the store and said she was selling her used one for $1,000. I told her I could not afford that and she walked away annoyed. I wish I could leave a better review but as a customer, who is a lot younger than anyone else in there, I was overlooked and did not have a pleasant experience. At the end of the day,I went back and got my machine because I couldn't wait for 2 weeks. I will say though, when I first went in there 3 years ago, there was a gentleman in there who was very very nice, he looked at my machine, brought it to one of the back rooms and was able to fix it for free because it was something minor. Butt that was 3 years ago, and the staff there is not very pleasant or...

I took my sewing machine to be repaired on Friday. The manager talked about the machine (a Singer professional 5 serger) I owned like is was a waste of money to purchase. She said it was full of cheap Chinese parts. Then she told me they would look at it and call with an estimate on Friday or Saturday. They didn't call back till Monday. They told me parts where no longer available, but they thought a cleaning and adjustment would fix it. The manager called on Tuesday and told me the machine was ready. I went and picked it up assuming it was fixed. They implied that the serger worked as expected. They charged me 89.95 for the repair. When I got home and tested the machine it still wouldn't sew correctly. It was no different than before they serviced the machine. I called to tell them the machine had the same problem. The manager told me that it wasn't their problem and it couldn't be repaired. I ask what they had charged me 89.95 for and she told me it was for cleaning and adjusting the machine. I asked for a refund since the serger wasn't fixed and they couldn't repair it. She refused to give me a refund and said the only thing they could do is to give me the amount of the charge as a discount on a new machine. Every time I spoke to the staff at the store they only seamed interested in talking bad about any brand they do not sell and trying to sell me something new. During the whole process I felt like even if the serger could be repaired they wouldn't have fixed to help pressure me in to buying a new machine from them. I have never felt as ripped off as Sew and Vac made me feel. I am now out $90 for a slightly cleaner...