Richmond Vacuum & Sewing Center

"I previously wrote a review for Richmond Sew & Vac but it was removed without notification to me. In June 2021, I experienced a problem with my 20-year-old Brother portable sewing machine. I decided to also bring in a 60-year-old Singer Featherweight that a friend had curb-scored for me which had some thread clogged around the bobbin and was missing a belt. I was aghast at the cost -- $175 to service the Featherweight -- for a total of $270 for both machines. Not knowing any better about pricing, I didn't feel I had a choice after making the trek out to Richmond just to get the estimate and leave. It's not like there are a ton of options in the immediate area. The Brother sewing machine seems to be doing "ok" but the Featherweight had a round belt on it like a rubber band. My ignorance is my downfall here. I also noticed that the tensioner was set at "0" and asked about it and got sort of a grunt and a shrug from the technician when I asked about that. I have been using the Featherweight, with the tension set at "0", and noticing a few temperamental quirks. Since I only have used it about 8-10 times, I was pretty surprised that the motor seemed to be slowing down. I checked the manual and discovered: belt being too tight could be the problem. I got a screwdriver to give it more space but guess what? It was already at the closest position. In December 2023, I took my sewing machine to Village Sewing Center in Santa Rosa where John, the owner, immediately identified several problems with my Featherweight resulting directly from Wilson's attempt to service it: 1. First, the cost for the servicing of $175 - he was shocked and wanted to know "What did he DO to it?" - Apparently the bare minimum. 2. The belt is basically a rubber band - not the flat belt that allows proper adjustment and doesn't put inappropriate stress on the machine. This is a popular machine with widely available parts. There's no excuse for this failure. 2. Bobbin tension can be adjusted with a screw -- he showed me how to do this correctly. 3. Top thread tensioner should not be at "0" -- he took it apart, adjusted and reassembled it, fine tuning the tension on the bobbin tension. 4. Showed me the points for lubrication and demonstrated a couple of other items that were missed in Wilson's $175 Featherweight servicing. My total cost? $9.86 for the actual Singer Featherweight belt and the machine runs like a dream and it took less than 10 minutes (compared to the two weeks it took to get my Singer Featherweight back from Richmond Vacuum & Sewing Center). I am extremely unhappy with the results and the cost and will not recommend this shop to anyone with a sewing machine."

"I was very impressed. There was no long line and no ridiculous wait to get my machine back. They were polite, professional, did great repair work on my Babylock .. & gave me a ninety day warranty. If I kill my machine again, I am definitely taking it back to them."

"I needed a power cord for my Brother sewing machine. I called first and they were the only one of 4 other stores that I called that actually answered. Very polite, helpful and courteous. The gentleman asked me questions to make sure I had the correct one. Parking is scarce but I lucked out with a spot in front of it. And they don't close for lunch"

"Everytime I've went in the person who does the repairs on sewing machines is always gone and they tell me it'll be 2 wks. before it can be looked at. Wish I could say his work is good but I end up taking my mother's sewing machine elsewhere due to him not there."

"They did a great job on my sewing machine. I appreciate the fact that the owner (forgot his name) kept it real about the problem with my machine: I thought it was a timing issue, but it just needed cleaning and servicing. When I picked up my machine there was a swatch displaying all of the different stitches that I have yet to use. I appreciate the first class level of service."