Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Big Business That Doesn't "Get It"

I was surprised last weekend to have a notice (aka advertisement) pop up on my Face Book page indicating that Pottery Barn is now selling vintage sewing machines for decorative purposes.
In near disbelief, I followed the link and ended up here: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/found-sewing-maching/popup/more-views.html
They claim the machines were manufactured in Europe from the 1920s to 40s. In addition to German-made Singer, they have Durkopp, Phoenix, Victoric, Gritzner, and Kohler--although the buyer doesn't get to choose.

Pottery Barn is selling them for $199 each.

I contacted Pottery Barn and pointed out that...
Even if this machine were inoperable, it usually takes very little to
make them work. Even without a motor, they can be treadled--and with
minimal care they'll last longer and work as well or better than any of
the "new" sewing machines on the market.
Seems more than a bit crazy to me!

Pottery Barn replied:
Thank you for contacting Pottery Barn.

We apologize for any inconvenience.  Pottery Barn does not sell sewing machines.  Please provide more information regarding your inquiry,so we may assist you.


If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email.  Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-922-9934 from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm (PST), seven days a week.

Kind regards,

I replied by sending them the link and saying it certainly looked like it was for sale.

They wrote me back and said:


Thank you for contacting Pottery Barn.



We apologize for any confusion.  These sewing machines are meant for decorative purposes only. 


If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email.  Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-922-9934 from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm (PST), seven days a week.

Kind regards,

So, I wrote them again:

That is exactly the point!  You've taken machines that could easily be repaired so that they will sew for another 40 to 100 years (much longer than any currently available "modern" plastic wonders will sew) and have created overpriced "decorative" items!

They replied:

Thank you for contacting Pottery Barn.  We regret to learn of your disappointment that we are selling sewing machines from the 1920's to 1940's for decorative purposes.  While we do not know for sure, we suspect these were determined to no longer be functional and have been successfully repurposed.

However, we appreciate your feedback and will forward it to our Buyers for their future buying decisions. 


If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email.  Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-922-9934 from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm (PST), seven days a week.

Kind regards,


Okay, they don't get it.  Here's what I get:

I do believe in using vintage sewing machines.  I love their engineering, and mechanics, and the fact that with a little attention (aka oil) they're willing to work well decade after decade, often for well over a century. It breaks my heart that these are being sold at inflated prices for some rich person to have around for "cute" when there are so many people in the world who would be thrilled to have them to use.

Sadly, I also get that a few resources and the will to make a profit mean that some very usable machines will be merely "decorative." 
 

7 comments:

Pokey said...

You tried. Truthfully, I'd love to find one I could sew on for as little as $200....
:-}pokey

Rosie1925 said...

OMG. Sacrilege!

Fixerupper said...

*headdesk*
We'll just have to keep our eyes open for when the decorators tire of them and these "display" machines end up in the thrift shops...

DragonPoodle said...

here's my take: anything that keeps them out of the landfill or away from the scrap metal dealers is probably a good thing!

lw said...

I agree that they don't get it. I can't figure out why anyone would buy one at these prices, inoperable old machines sell on ebay or at swap meets for much, much less. What I would hate to see is for this "trend" to drive up the cost of the vintage machines we're all sewing with-- we collect machines that we use, not to look at. They're beautiful, but a large part of that beauty is the quilt top or dress you just put together with a vintage machine.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I also emailed Pottery Barn about these machines. I am very disappointed in them doing this to these (otherwise) functional machines. So sad.

Michelle said...

So glad you wrote to them. I have seen some recent NEW machines, and you couldn't pay me to have one. I just worked on one today....a Singer which is a few years old. MOST parts inside are plastic, including the presser foot lever, and the mechanisms that run the levers for different stitches. Now how long do you think those cheap plastic parts will last? Good Gravy!

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