Kimberly’s Junk in the Trunk

I came in and was trying to locate a small, inconsequential part for one of my sewing machines. Not only was the piece 3 times the price I would have paid online, but the person who «helped» me really wasn’t much help at all. (This was not the owner, who I spoke with some time later) I had to go get the machine itself to explain what I was looking for. After selecting the piece from a large box of them, I decided to pass and instead, at a later date, offered the machine, and a few others, to the owner for purchase. (never mentioning the incident with the missing piece and the other employee) I though that if it was going to be appreciated anywhere, it would be there… I’m a professional seamstress specializing in vintage sewing and am very well acquainted with the subject matter. (My machines have been exhibited in temporary exhibits in museums. Suffice to say, I know my stuff.) The owners offered me an unfair price for the machine citing that the missing piece would be hard to find… Never mind the fact that they have an entire box of them in their shop… I was befuddled by this, and more so by their attitudes. I was very excited to speak to them, thinking they would be happy to speak to a fellow enthusiast, and share their love of sewing machines, but they were very cold, apathetic, and worse, treated me like I was completely clueless about it all. I greeted them warmly, in anticipation of a great conversation, but they were not interested… Still, I offered the machines and said very little else. My assumption is that, not being aware of my expertise, they were in fact trying to swindle me out of my machines, at least a bit, and had I been an unsuspecting mark, I would have been taken for a ride. (More than anything, this is based on their attitudes… They talked like my machines were nothing, but still they wanted to buy them? Like they were doing me a favor by taking them off of my hands…) Needless to say, I kept my machine. Based on their website claims, they seem to have a rather large client base. But it makes me sad to think that these customers, people who have a real desire to get into sewing or collecting, could probably be receiving better treatment– fairer treatment– elsewhere.

Well, can’t say I’m impressed.
I came in looking for something for my wife, and I have to say, I was disappointed. The staff was nice enough, but not very helpful. For a place that claims to be so renowned for their knowledge of antique sewing machines,(passionate !!! Says their website) I couldn’t get a single question answered. To be fair, I was told the owners were out, but again, for a place that makes such lofty claims of love and appreciation for this stuff, I would think they would hire people who have a least a basic knowledge of sewing and antique machines. I hate the idea that I have to find the owner of a business to have simple questions answered. Their collection of machines is so so. Not as awesome as the website would have you believe. I hate to write a review like this based on a first impression, especially since my wife and I do have such an appreciation for antiques and local businesses, but I was just that disappointed.
***Update: I stand by my review

I had all of the (crêpe paper) flowers for my wedding made by Kimberly… bouquets (large blooms), boutonnieres, corsages, and single flowers to go in my centerpieces. Kimberly kept me in the loop every step of the way (sometimes emailing back and forth several times a day), allowing me to pick out the exact right colors and details to make each piece perfect. All of the flowers turned out BEAUTIFUL and added such a playful element to our wedding. I received so many compliments on how fun and pretty they were. I also had some people (including the officiant that was WEARING a boutonnière) come up to me at the end of the night saying they didn’t even notice that the boutonnieres weren’t real roses… ha! Another reason I chose paper flowers instead of real flowers (besides the fact that they’re unique & awesome), was because I hate that flowers are so expensive only to die so quickly. The flowers Kimberly made were much cheaper than the same amount of real flowers would have cost, plus I was able to keep them to decorate my house (and they are still just as lovely)!