Ken's Sewing Center — Local services in Muscle Shoals

DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY. I will be reporting them to the better business bureau as well. I placed an order, and the machine was on back-order (not an issue - a lot of things are right now). They fully charged my credit card immediately, which was odd. Usually the charge will be pending until the product is shipped.

They cold-called me today, saying the machine was ready to ship, but they needed me to verify my address, phone number and last 4 digits of my credit card over the phone before they would ship the machine. They said they were protecting themselves from fraud.

I placed the order, my credit card was fully charged, I made an account online through their website, I have e-mail confirmations about my order being placed, being delayed etc., they called the correct phone number to ask me these questions today…what more do they want? I said they could read me what they have on file for my address, phone number etc. and I would confirm if that information was correct - but they refused to do that. Why refuse if this is a legitimate business? I shouldn’t have to disclose that information over the phone.

I was speaking directly to someone who claimed to be the owner, and he was incredibly rude. His name wasn’t Ken…it was David maybe? I can’t remember. Shouldn’t the owner of “Ken’s Sewing Center” be named Ken? I had to ask him to stop interrupting me multiple times, so I could explain why I felt uncomfortable with the nature of the phone call. I said if they were transparent about this process on their website, then I would be expecting this phone call, and be happy to follow what they claim to be their “process", and how "they do business to protect themselves from fraud".

What sounds more fraudulent to you as the consumer? The company cold-calling and asking you to verify information over the phone that they already have, or me trying to prove that I am a legitimate consumer, and have purchased this machine legitimately, without disclosing sensitive information over the phone…because he was implying that I was a fraudulent purchaser if I refused to disclose my information.

He kept going on and on about how they have a lot of cars that get stolen from them (not sure why that’s relevant to me purchasing a sewing machine, other than to further confirm that no one should be doing business with them), and how if the purchase I made was fraudulent, then they have to pay for it…which didn’t sound right to me either. Don’t businesses have protection for fraudulent purchases? If they are legitimate businesses? The entire call was incredibly uncomfortable, and I would strongly suggest not doing business with a company who treats their customers this way.

He said he would refund my money - which he did - but I really wanted this machine. I don't think it's wrong for me to be cautious about a phone call like this. I've never had to verify anything like this over the phone in the past for anything I have ordered online - ever. I said they could refund me, then update their website to outline this process, so consumers could be expecting this phone call and this type of interaction when ordering products from them - and then I would re-order what I wanted and we could continue. The “owner” said he didn't need to update his website, and hung up on me.

Decide for yourself, but I would never trust a company with my credit card information who does business like this. It’s very easy to update your website, and explain how you “do business” to your consumers. I’m extremely concerned that this company is fraudulent, and now they have my credit card...

My name is Ariel T.

Ms. Amanda helped me and has been helping me for months. We have upgraded a few times after she helped me (did not push me for anyone wondering , I came to her with my options and budget and she helped me. Honestly, truly helped me.) Ms. Amanda guided me when I came to her with all of my questions, we narrowed it down and we settled for a machine, and after paying on that machine on a layaway I was doing more research and decided to talk to her more personally and ask her what she thought. She assured me the Name I was with was exactly what I was looking for but she also sent me other options. She sent me links, emails, and updates throughout our transaction and I was always up to date with how much I owed on my layaway and there are no hidden fees.

Ms. Amanda went above and beyond for my business. My appreciation for her love for her job is so big, I don’t think other people would take the time and the energy to do what she did. Not everyone works that hard. I’m young, I have experience but in high school with learning machines.. so really am new to it all and I feel confident. After upgrading to the best machine in my budget I’m so excited to get my BRAND new Janome MC 550e

I’m so happy. Thank you so much for having such a great staff, because I spoke to another gentleman at the beginning of this , to get a second opinion on Ms Amanda’s suggestion (I was very cautious, and I STILL stand behind everything I’ve said, she is wonderful and he agreed with everything she said too, and it’s not an upsell kind of thing , I’m sure they get commissions and what not but you don’t feel pressured. At all.)

It was a wonderful experience and one I’m actually excited to do again when my business grows and we need a second machine Ms. Amanda will be who I call and no second opinions needed because I actually trust her word.

She knows what she’s doing, she knows the machines, she can help you with any and all of it I guarantee.

Ken’s sewing center is top notch. Easy to work with, great to talk to, motivating, and just all around a great company.

Thank you again for the amazing service, and thank you again for being so kind and supportive. I appreciate you...

I wish I could give them negative stars. Stay away from this store. The website says it has excellent service, but Donna and Kevin (owner?) are really unprofessional. Long story short, I received two defective machines and now they have everything back and don't want to give me my money back. The way Donna handles "customer service" is to hang up the phone on you and tell everyone to not answer your calls and not respond to emails. When she does decide to respond via email after writing many times, she doesn't solve the problem, she just causes more and doesn't sign off. The way Kevin "solves problems" is to lie and make up whatever is convenient for him. Have him email you so he cannot go back on his words.

update: RELUCTANTLY, they sent me a third machine that I did NOT want. YES, I had to pay for shipping. The second one was broken within a month and I have email proof that I informed them at that time. I tried to save them money and have them send me a piece and change that to see it that is what was broken. Of course it was over a month by then and hard to contact them so they wanted me to pay for shipping. I had no choice b/c they wouldn't give me a refund for the broken machines they sent me. This was after months of them not refunding me my money & having possession of their machine. Donna was extremely unprofessional and childish. To expand on what I wrote above, she would hang up the phone on you and then when I try to call numerous times, she wouldn't pick up. I would then call with a different phone and then, wah-lah, she is magically answering the phone again. Who does that? Then Kevin gets the phone and has the nerve to tell me I hung up the phone. If I hung up, why would I have tried calling back several times to no avail? Kevin kept giving me the run around and wouldn't let me talk to the owner. I asked him NUMEROUS times to give me the same order when he shipped it, yet when I received it, the threads I had chosen were not included. The ugliest colors they could find were thrown into the package they sent me. I am so tired of dealing with them, I didn't even bother to contact them.

Buyer beware! Do...