Pfaff Sewing Centre of Vancouver

If you are wanting a domestic machine then Pfaff may be able to help you. If you are at all considering anything within the realm of industrial STAY AWAY! The owner Otto is condescending, sexist and completely no help. Once, Pfaff sent out a repairman to help with my industrial machine that I had bought from Pfaff and he was fantastic. When that same machine had issues 9 months later Otto claims that they never had a repairman to visit on site (I must have imagined him) and that I had to lug in my industrial machine (that is attached to my table and weighs at least 75 lbs) to the store. If the nice staff ever diverts any questions to the owner run for the hills!

Poorly managed and unprofessional. I found myself working a contract job across the street from these guys last summer. I decided to buy my wife a sewing machine from them. So, the Thursday just before the September long weekend I went over. Hunh, there are notes on the front and back doors, «CLOSED FRIDAY AUGUST 30 for the LONG WEEKEND». Hmm, it’s noon on Thursday, and forget the holiday day is actually the following Monday, not the Friday. I guess the person writing the notes and the person locking the door don’t communicate well. No big deal, I’ll get my wife something else.
December 2013… I’d actually forgotten the locked door part above, but still wanted to get a sewing machine. So, even though I’m now working a contract job in New West, I call these guys. They say they’re open until 2PM December 24. I hate last minute shopping, but decide to drive to Vancouver December 23 arriving early enough to get back before afternoon traffic builds.
I get there at 1PM Monday December 23. There are notes on the doors, «CLOSED at 2PM DECEMBER 24^th for CHRISTMAS». Hey, guess what, now I really am last minute shopping for that gift, or as it turns out, any suitable gift.
My advice? Buy from someone able to stick to a posted/​advertised business schedule, if they can’t manage that, it doesn’t bode well for their abilities in general.

Last year I decided to buy a sewing machine and ended up with a Elna for about $ 600. I used the machine for 2 month and decided I needed more features.
The search started and I went to many stores in and around Vancouver to look at computerized system. However, none of the stores impressed me with either their aloof sales staff or dismissive attitude.
Then I got hold of a flyer for Pfaff machines and decided to visit the Pfaff Sewing Centre. The experience that had had with Sabine and her staff was good from the get go. I checked out the machines, got used to the costs, computerized system are not cheap, and left with a positive impression.
I went back a couple of days later and inquired more about the ins and outs and decided on a Creative 2.0. Every time I went to the store I got the same warm welcome and that was before I decided to purchase. Finally I did get the creative with the embroidery unit and I am happy.
The system works like a charm, has most of the functions that I like and then some that I did not even knew existed. The machine was followed by the TruE Embroidery Software and support.
Now, after using the system for more then a year I’m still impressed with Sewing Centre’s service. Sabine is still friendly and extremely helpful and the staff all make me feel very welcome.
All together a very excellent experience, indeed.

I browsed here two or three times during their spring/​summer sale and was disappointed in both this store and the machines they sell. I haven’t decided yet, but so far I’m not convinced.
I talked to the same salesperson every time, with some typical sewing questions and was dismayed to find she could only respond with giggly banter. When I persisted about my own sewing needs (as opposed to the expensive embroidery machines) she turned derisive about the lower priced machines, especially Janome. She did demos on a couple of machines in my interest range. While trying to persuade me about how good and long-​lasting the Pfaffs are, she told me the needle-​threader on one Pfaff had been bent by a customer (!?) and that I had to make sure to handle the machine decently, which she demonstrated. Well I’m not a ham-​fisted moron, but it began to look like Pfaffs are pretty fragile. I had some experience with Janomes and read that some of the models are well-​built, but she dismissed them, even though they sell those same (inexpensive) models.
When I got home I called the Haney company who sells the same machines — Pfaff and Janome. Their sale prices were significantly lower, but they are over an hour away from me.
I want to be sure that whatever machine I wind up with will back up the guaranty without hassle — that’s the customer’s safety net. I empathize with Victoria R’s experience here and agree that they didn’t handle their mistake as they should have.
I don’t believe a company or its employees should try to ride on their reputation. Yes, Pfaff has a good reputation but they earned it at one time. Plus the average person thinks price indicates quality, but that is often untrue. So I need to know for myself that a product is the quality I want.
Pfaff has been taken over by other sewing machine manufacturers and their lineage is not what it once was, so don’t be fooled into assuming it’s still good. I’ve read a lot of complaints about the newer ones, and many positive reviews of the older ones.
Still looking…

I was all ready to write a glowing review. My sewing machine broke — and my business is making leather bags and accessories. I took it to PFAFF and Otto, the guy who does the repairs, fixed it for me. It cost $ 115 (a $ 2 part, and the rest was apparently labour), and I was fine paying that — I just needed my machine back. Having it in the shop getting repaired meant I was backed up on orders. The day I got it back, I was planning on pulling an all-​nighter sewing to catch up and mail everything up the next day.
That was yesterday.
The guy gave me my sewing machine with a different fan belt on it. A ratty, old one that didn’t even fit my table. So my entire evening of catch up was ruined. My business partner spent 3 hours trying different belts from Canadian Tire just so we could get it working and I could sew the orders that needed to go out — but nothing worked, so we had to call it quits.
Two people. Three hours each — him spent working on the machine, mine spent not being able to sew. That’s what this guy’s mistake cost us. Put our hourly rate on that, and the numbers start to add up quickly.
What happened when I called to tell them that?
«sorry about that. Want to come by and we can do a quick ‘switcheroo’?»
Yeah. So I have to take time out of my day to go back there. And my business partner is the only one who can install it, and he works full time — so I have to pull him away from his work at his lunch hour to get him to install this fan belt, so that I don’t lose another day in productivity, on orders that are already late going out the door.
What SHOULD have happened since it was his mistake, was he should come to my studio and install the correct fan belt himself. I shouldn’t have to spend more time and money correcting an error that he made doing work that I paid him for. That’s how it works in the contracting world, and to be honest that’s just plain old good customer service.
One guy’s mistake has cost me upwards of $ 400 in lost labour. Thanks so much PFAFF Sewing Center for essentially costing me $ 512 to fix my machine.
As cheery as they may have been, this last bit has left a sour taste and I’m not able to leave them the glowing review I had planned.

the best place to buy a sewing machine! I called EVERYONE and Pfaff on granville beat the lowest price by a significant amount. Sabine is awesome to deal with. Cant wait to take my lesson…

I’ve been shopping around for a sewing machine upgrade and wanted to make sure I bought it form a reputable, trustworthy dealer. After considering both Bernina and Pfaff, I settled on a Pfaff as I loved the effortless sewing capability of the QE 4.0 and its many features.
This family run business is down to earth and extremely approachable. I’m not a sewing expert so had some fear of what to expect from a high-​end sewing machine shop. Sabine welcomed me and sat me down at the machine, taking her time to explain and demonstrate its full functionality.
While I reviewed the machine, Sabine’s coworker (husband?) made a call to find out when the machine I wanted would arrive at the store since it was currently on backorder due to a sales promotion. Everyone was helpful and super friendly, just like dealing with a family member.
Sabine said she’d call when the machine arrives and will schedule a free training session so that I can have an in-​depth lesson on using the sewing machine.
I’ll update my review once I receive it!
FYI — I didn’t use it, but I was told there is a parking lot behind the store for customers. I found plenty of meter parking nearby.

If you want to get a decent sewing machine that will last you a lifetime, this is where you shop. If you want to buy a high-​tech computerized embroidery machine or a skookum serger to make your own t-​shirts, this is the place for you. Though the store rarely seems to get busy, there are usually several friendly & knowledgeable staff on hand. you can try out the machines & ask lots of questions. They have a good selection of specialized accessories, parts & sewing notions for reasonable prices. You can get used reconditioned machines here – you don’t have to spend a mint to buy a new one.
I’ve bought a sewing machine & a serger at the Pfaff store. I’ve also had my machine serviced & a pair of scissors sharpened at the store. Neither service was cheap, but both were well done.
If you do buy a machine here, take them up on the free lesson! It’s a great opportunity to learn how to use your machine to its full potential, take care of it properly & avoid pitfalls in future.

I went in to browse for a new machine. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I liked how all the machines were set up, plugged in and ready to try. They also had a variety of fabric (ie leather) which was nice.
I will update if I end up buying a machine here.

if you want to by the best car you buy a Jaguar, if you want the best suit you buy a Canali, you want the best champagne you buy Dom Pérignon, and if you want the best sewing machine you buy a Pfaff. the p is silent. They are revered as one of THE best machines in the business… it’s a brand with over 140 years of development behind it and a consistent presence in the marketplace. It has a special air of familiarity, security and reliable quality.