Jim’s Sewing Machine Center

Stop by to read the array of notices on this shop’s exterior. The array reflects a deeply caring person who understands the value of all life. I very much appreciate having these messages made visible to the shop’s customers and to passersby. This is my public thank you to the shop owner for displaying such messages for the decades I have lived in the Bay Area.

there was an old story from the better business bureau about him
throwing battery acid at someone once. i had had a terrible time with
him and his hours and his rude argumentative nature. when i called to
complain to the better business bureau, they explained his history of
customer *service*. never again!

The owner may be gruff at first, but he does excellent work and has a heart of gold if you give him a chance. He has fixed my machine, and gone out of his way to help me over the years. Do not judge a book by its cover.

I knew the owner here is arrogant & rude. I was there once before, many years ago, & had a machine repaired — the repair worked for about day, but I didn’t want to go back.
Yesterday I needed a small part for a vintage Singer, & since he’s close, & likely to have what I needed, I thought I’d put on a smile and try him again. He was even ruder than I remembered, quoted me a ridiculous price, & said it would come from the Oakland store & would be there the next day. And he even managed to berate and belittle me for having the audacity to ask a few questions. I left, & got what I needed at Berkeley Sew & Vac (& they went out of their way to find the part I needed, & only charged $ 2 for it.)
Just go to Berkeley Sew & Vac first!

What an a******! I just called the after hours number thinking I would get some information about getting some assistance with a sewing machine repair. The man on the phone is extremely rude! I asked for the store hours for his other location. He said Berkeley and Oakland store? I agreed. He began to belittle be by saying well why would you need the Berkeley hours if you got them off the voicemail and you had to have known the hours because you had to listen to the whole msg to get to the after hours number. He gave me the Oakland number and then hung up on me. If you don’t want people calling you, don’t but down your after hours number idiot.

This place was suggested by the Berkeley Parents Network, and it *looks* like it could be charming, on the outside at least. It’s a little hole-​in-​the wall shop on Solano Ave with a big «SINGER» sign out front. Beware, though. The owner keeps, if not odd, then extremely limited hours (12 – 2 pm, Monday-​Saturday) and his customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I left my sewing machine with him on a Friday and got so freaked out by his behavior (and the previous Unilocal review) that I went back the next day and retrieved it without having it fixed. He will charge you a flat $ 12.50 fee if you leave your machine with him and doesn’t end up fixing it, but somehow I got out of paying that. There’s no reason to go here since Berkeley Sew-​Vac is so close, so save yourself the trouble!

Please DON’T go here!!! I wish I had seen the previous review before I took my 3 machines in to be serviced. I’m sick to my stomach right now after spending over $ 230.00 and having two of three machines worse than before! I wanted to frequent a local business, but got HORRIBLY burned instead!