US Sewing & Vacuum

I found this place this because I was looking to replace a blade on my serger. Was the first time I had done this, and was naïve to say the least. Anyhow I was happily charged over $ 30 for this blade and was only later that I realized that the going rate for these parts is a little over $ 3. Needless to say I brought it back — upon doing so the older Asian lady who had sold it to me was there. I told her I wanted to return it and she asked «why?» I told her I know longer needed. She apparently didn’t like this explanation and huffily gave me my refund. She then proceeded to throw my receipt in my direction. Needless to say, don’t go to this place unless you wanna get ripped off …

I’m selling two industrial sewing machines if anyone is interested. They are in great condition. I am in San Francisco. Here’s my number. 707−393−9799. They are heavy so must pick up.
This is a great business to have your vacuum repair too… i have two vacuums i need to bring them.

I agree with ALL the negative reviews about this business.
I was told that if I did not want their very SLOW repair services for my sewing machine, I could take my business elsewhere. Which I did!
If there was a rating in negative stars, this store would be rated in the negative.

My machine, after suffering abuse from another user for about 15 minutes, needed to get serviced and fixed. So I dropped it off at California Sewing & Vacuum, and waited a week to get it fixed. Okay, the wait is annoying, but in all honesty, it was so worth it. I got my machine back, and it’s absolutely lovely. It works so well, actually, I think it works even better than when I first got it. Thankfully the store stayed open later for another reason, so I managed to pick it up after closing time. It’s wonderful to have my Singer back.

The service is terrible! The lady that was there was really rude and not helpful at all. Ended up buying online and picking up at another store farther from me but I just don’t want to buy from this store.

Went in to pick up a presser foot for my older model Singer. I had called ahead of time to check and see if they had the snap on model I was looking for. They did, and I said I’d be by the store shortly to check it out.
But, when I showed up at the store, the woman all but ignored me. I, very politely, let her know what I was looking for, and reiterated what I had said over the phone about the make and model of my machine. She barely look up from what she was doing at the register. I restated the details of the part I was looking for – and how it was for an older model Singer that used a snap on presser foot. She motioned over to the Singer machines on the table in the store. We walked over, and I took a look at the presser feet on these (new model) machines. I let her know that my machine did not look like that and was at least 20 – 30 years old. Throughout my time there, the woman constantly had a sour look on her face seemed thoroughly put out by my asking her for help.
She finally walked over to a wall and pulled down a packet of presser foot parts and sat them on the register. They were the parts for the newer machines she had showed me. I let her know that these parts were not what I was looking for, and pulled out a picture of my machine and it’s presser foot shank to show her.
She finally went to the back and pulled out a large box filled with used and salvaged machine parts (some rusty some broken). She rummaged for a bit and pulled out one she said would work. She tossed the part over the counter at me. I don’t expect to be treated like a king, but this is terrible customer service! She threw the machine part over and stood there and stared at me.
I took a look at the the part and said that it looks like it should work. She rang up the item and tossed the receipt at me – which landed behind the register, and nowhere near me. I honestly couldn’t believe it… The receipt was face-​down on the counter and she just continued on her way.
I then asked her if I would be able to bring the part back if it didn’t fit my machine. She snapped back that «it was for a Singer». Nothing more. Nothing about the fact that it «should fit» or «would fit». So I asked the question again. She said they don’t do returns and promptly returned to whatever she was doing behind the register.
Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Just left. I came in for a new belt and the very nice gentleman was really helpful. He told me I needed a cleaning pretty bad but as a broke college student I could only afford the belt, $ 25. Then before paying he offered to vacuum the inside of my Hoover pet friendly machine for an extra $ 5. That was something I could afford and couldn’t have done it on my own cause I don’t have another vacuum to use to suck up the inside. All together it was $ 30 even. He was great and even walked me to the door and opened it for me. Really smooth nice experience. It’s local too. Only a couple blocks from my place. Convenient! Thanks !!!

I dropped by here 2 times before pulling the trigger on my Miele vacuum. Miele has about a million different canister vacs so you really have to do your research first.
I was glad the saleslady asked me what type of floors I had before making a recommendation. Some vacuums are better for wall-​to-​wall carpeting, others better for hardwood floors. This really helped me narrow down the choices. There was a good selection of Mieles there. I was able to try it on the shop’s floor. 3^rd time, I called in the morning asking if they had the onyx in stock. Sally had it ready for me to purchase when I got there. She was also very honest to let me know which accessories were not necessary to purchase.
Only thing that makes me nervous is the ‘no return policy’. I always feel more reassured with purchases that have a minimum of 30-​day money back. They are really a small business, mom & pop shop so despite the policy, I purchased from them vs internet (same pricing, free shipping but has money back guarntee)
If Miele lives up to the name, I will be happy with my vacuum for many years to come.

I was looking for someone to service my very venerable Bernina Minimate 707-​somewhere around 45 years old, originally purchased from Mr. B’s Sewing Machines on Geary, no longer in business. While I used to do a great deal of sewing — clothes for me, my husband, and my children, I’ve not done so in years. The last time I used my machine was about 10 years ago, I’m sad to say. I need to make some new pillow covers and when I took out my machine I discovered that the light didn’t work and the tension was a bit off. It seemed a very good idea, and worthwhile, to give it a tune up.
The Place That Sells Sewing Machines in Daly City was recommended to me but I learned they had moved to Millbrae & changed their name. I phoned them but received no answer and their machine was full. That led me to look for another place and I found this one. I did read all the negative reviews, but many are very old, and from speaking to my hairdresser, I know that not all reviews are posted. There is some controversy about that. Anyway, I called, Sally answered and told me they are a Bernina dealer and yes, they could give my lovely old treasure a tune up for $ 119. I took it over right away.
She was very helpful. She said that they just don’t make machines like mine any more (all metal gears) and that with care it will last forever. It is entirely mechanical, not computerized. She told me Bernina is still a family owned company, and while machines aren’t made in Switzerland any long (as mine was), they are made in a special factory in Thailand.
I had excellent service today. I will update my review when I pick up my machine. Very happy!

The service here was the worst.
I went in a few weeks ago, looking to purchase a new sewing machine good for quilting.
I’d never used Bernina, so I was hoping to get some info from the shop keeper on their strengths, service policies, etc.
The lady running the shop couldn’t have been less interested in me. I explained what I was looking for and all she had to say was something with a longer arm would be good. That’s all the help she offered; didn’t point out any machines, nothing… They also had no prices on the higher end machines I was interested in.
I wandered around a bit longer, looking at the pamphlets on display and another woman walked in dressed much nicer than me asking about vacuum cleaners. The lady working was all smiles and helpfulness with her.
Not sure if I’m not the clientele they were looking for or if this particular worker was not knowledgeable about sewing machines, but neither is an acceptable excuse.
I left and ended up going to Ray’s Sewing Machine Center down the peninsula and got the BEST service I could have imagined.
Dropped a few grand on a new machine too, was tempted to return and enjoy a ‘Pretty Woman’ moment, but I resisted…
Long story short, go elsewhere for better service, no reason to waste a trip here.

I brought in a really good Singer sewing machine for a small repair and routine maintenance. Two weeks later I paid something like $ 140, took it home and it had not even been opened up! Took it back, two weeks later the woman showed me that it worked. Here it is 6 months later, I take it out and it sews 2 miles an hour and then comes to a stop. Whoever repairs their sewing machines should be fired. Dishonest (he signed off on the non repair) and possibly ruined my really great machine. Hopefully the new management threw him out. Awful.

This shop has been under new management for a few months, and the customer service has been excellent.
Jenny is a sweetheart, and knows her Berninas well, and has come to my aid over the phone when I’ve needed her help.
And now there is a monthly sewing club starting up, where you can learn techniques and work on projects, and get a 15% discount!
For those of you who have had bad experiences in the past, I’d highly recommend you give California Sewing and Vacuum another shot, really.

I’d like to bring together sewists of all levels to share in knowledge and inspiration, whether it be fashion design, quilting, embroidery, costumes or other sewing related interests.
California Sewing & Vacuum, just off Park Presidio between 14^th & 15^th on Geary is undergoing a makeover.
Join us in bringing about a sewing revival to San Francisco. Although just beginning the makeover, hopefully you’ll see a huge improvement in the store, including classes to come.

I have been to this store multiple times during this past year and I am really surprised by how many negative reviews it has. I have never gotten anything but polite, friendly, and helpful customer service here.
They have a surprising array of sewing bits and do-​dads for a small store that appears to primarily sell sewing machines and vacuums. This is perfect if you are in the middle of a project and suddenly stuck because you are out of an unusual color of thread, or low on interfacing, or need a bunch of safety pins.
I notice that most of the negative reviews are a couple years or more old and can only imagine that the staff has changed. All of my experiences here were pleasant.

Such a poor customer experience!
I came there to find a little plastic part that broke on my sewing machine. They did not have it, not a problem. I will look somewhere else and that’s no fault from anyone. What turned an otherwise normal event into a distressing experience was when the lady that «helped me» took upon herself to insist that I must have done something wrong to get that part to break, I felt insulted because I, in no way did i touched that part but had no incentive to lie to her: I did not buy the machine there and was not trying to get anything for free! She rudely insisted that she’d never seen that part broken (a little plastic thing, not anything unbreakable!) and that she did not believe that I did not play with the part to break it. I cannot understand what could drive her to act in such a rude way when no sale or discount was at stake and when i was extremely polite in my request. I will NEVER go back to this place.

this place is great!
if you are looking for presser feet for vintage sewing machines with long shanks this is the spot!
Allison was amazing on the phone and in person!
very helpful and and a fun person to talk sewing techniques with
thank you very much for your help!

FRAUD ALERT!!! WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GO TO THIS STORE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
I signed up for Unilocal just so I could warn people about the criminals who operate this store.
My girlfriend and I brought in a beautiful Singer sewing machine that was not sewing properly due to a stretched rubber band/​belt. I told the elderly asian lady behind the counter that the sewing machine was not working properly and that I needed a new band. She said she would repair the sewing machine for $ 69.95. I told her that I did not want her to «repair» the sewing machine, but instead to just get me a new band, which costs $ 10. She stated again that the sewing machine needed to be repaired for $ 69.95. I told her that under no circumstances should she attempt to «repair» the machine, and that all she was authorized to do was simply replace the band for $ 10.
Two weeks later, I entered the store and the woman told me that she repaired the sewing machine, and that I therefore owed her $ 69.95. I told her I would not pay that amount as I had not authorized the repair. She then took my sewing into the back of the store and refused to give it back to me. All the while, she was yelling at me and calling me a liar.
I literally had to call the police and ask them to come to the store. Only when the police were on their way did she give me my machine back, of course after ripping the band off of it.
AVOID THIS STORE AT ALL COSTS!!!

SCAM ALERT! SCAM ALERT! SCAM ALERT!
I don’t write this sort of rewiew lightly, but some businesses prey upon people’s intense desire not to make waves, and that’s just wrong.
I brought in a sewing machine for an estimate for some periodic maintence. Despite a promise to call with a figure the next day, nothing. A few days later, the next tome I happened to be near-​by, I stop in. «It’s ready,» the elderly Asian lady says to me. She then looks me in the eyes and lies, telling me that we spoke and approved three figures of care. I whip open my iPhone and show her no incoming calls from her number. Lies continue; it mist have been someone else who answered the phone in my pocket. They’ll be pulling off the rubber drive elastic for which they claimed this bounty, and I’ll be bringing it elsewhere.
Stay far away from these dishonest folks. One can imagine how they’ll support something expensive that you buy from them.
Update: I was given the name of a reputable servicer — details and a phone number to follow.

FAIL. Their technician misdiagnosed the problem with my vacuum, and charged me $ 70 to perform the wrong service. Vacuum still broken. I called the technician. He said it’s under the store’s warranty and that he’d fix it, no charge. Then he was fired, apparently.
I dropped it off again. They never called me. Three and a half weeks later, the woman there told me the vacuum needs a new motor and that I’d have to pay extra, but that the vacuum really isn’t worth fixing at all. And yet, she still refused to give me my money back for the original service! (That was the technician’s fault, see. Not hers.)
So I paid $ 70 for this business to NOT fix my vacuum cleaner, which is now junk. She also would not give me a refund for the extra vacuum cleaner bags I bought ($ 13) when I picked up the vacuum the first time, thinking that it had been fixed!
A woman who was bringing in her sewing machine for repair witnessed the entire exchange, became appalled, and left without dropping off her machine.
What a miserable little business. Avoid.
By the way, would anyone like six vacuum cleaner bags? Type PU-​2. I’ll give you a good deal.

When shopping, you sometimes meet a salesperson who so blatantly despises you the customer, the shop where she works, and by extension her life, that the moment you start dealing with the person — trying desperately to give her your money in exchange for goods, you find yourself battling such obstructionism, sluggishness, and hostility that before long you feel sucked into a vortex, like through some filthy psycho-​spiritual toilet, from which you emerge gasping and shaken and wondering «How did I get here?»
Yes my friends, if you shop at California Sewing and Vacuum you will encounter just such a salesperson.
California Sewing & Vacuums stands in the place of the much-​loved and sadly departed Mr. B’s Sewing Center, which closed several years ago. There are a variety of Bernina machines, both new and reconditioned.
I called the shop two weeks ago to inquire about bobbins for my Brother PE-​400D, since I have read that the machine only takes a certain kind of bobbin which must be purchased from the dealer. This woman told me that she did not know what kind of bobbin I needed and I had to bring a bobbin into the shop.
When I brought in the bobbin, she dug through a basket on her sewing demo table and found three, which she tossed at me and headed to the cash register. When I informed her that I wanted more, perhaps as many as twenty, she turned and pulled a sealed plastic bag of bobbins from a shelf.
Tailypo: How many are in the bag? I might want to take them all.
Saleslady: N o, we don’t sell them that way.
Tailypo: That bag says Bernina. I need Brother bobbins.
Saleslady: They are the same, Bernina and Brother bobbins.
Tailypo: But they are different. Look!
Saleslady: THAT’S WHY I AM PUTTING THEM BACK IN THE BAG! I don’t have anymore of your bobbins.
Tailypo: Do you know when you are getting more?
Saleslady: No.
Tailypo: Can I have a product number, so I can check on your next shipment by phone instead of bringing my bobbin here?
Saleslady: No.
Tailypo: No?
Saleslady: No. There is no product number.
Tailypo: Oh come on. How do you order them? There must be a number.
Saleslady: No.
Tailypo: You know, I am an avid sewer and I live blocks from here. I want to become a regular customer here. You aren’t making that very easy.
Saleslady: No. No product number.
…and so I bought my four used, floor model bobbins for a buck a piece, with a ten dollar bill. And then she gave me my change — sixty-​five cents.
Tailypo: And?
Salesmonster: You gave me a five.