And the only reason I thought of it just now was that I forgot to bring my camera home to download and blog the latest photos of bags that were packed off to Sydney today. 
Cue PLAN B blogpost.... So... on Saturday, we had a great bunch of gals from Sydney, Griffith, Canberra and Ballarat (first time ever - no locals!) all picking up as many bag-making techniques as they could squeeze into 6 hours. The weather was even nice enough for a few of us to brave... I mean, ENJOY... lunch on the new balcony setting.
It was, quite co-incidentally, a Bernina-fest. For the first time ever, no other sewing machine manufacturer was represented. (Ok, so 3 of the Berninas were mine, but the others were brought in by proud and enthusiastic Bernina owners). 
The day was spent in fine company and it was great to see those "AH-HA!" moments hitting home. (When you stop people every few minutes to say "Oh, I can show you a trick here...", that recognition means a lot. Nice to know that I'm not being simply annoying while people are trying to sew.)
QUANDRY OF THE WEEK (in need of helpful feedback)...Do you think I should become a Bernina dealer? I mean, I wax lyrical about Bernina machines because I totally believe in them.... should I be being PAID for it...? Will it make me look insincere and negate all I say and all that I've said in the past..? Will it be ... like... selling out, man....?
12 comments:
heehe, bernina girl! I think anything that makes your job a bit easier, or I should say your income, so you can spend less time at work is a go-er. And you'd be great at it (can't convince a Janome girl, though)
One thing that really annoys me about sewing workshops and the like is when the teacher raves on about some marvelous tool/gadget they have, and all they can tell you about where to get it is that they're rare as hens teeth and grab one when ever you see it. These people often have shops so surely if it's available they could source it and sell it in their shop.
If you don't want to sound like you're completely selling out, learn about the other brand machines so you can point out which ones of them have the same features as the Berninas. It will help you to sound a little more rounded and less like you're just trying to sell them because you're a dealer.
Suddenly I had this image of you down a dark alley whispering to someone "do you want a hit? a bernina hit?" hahahahahaha wrong sort of dealer I guess ;)
For what it is worth, people should be able to see what you produce with your Bernina then selling them is just an extension of that. I am a Bernina girl they are great machines. I wouldn't feel like I was selling out. It is nice to talk to people who actually use the machine and that is something you do. Hope that makes sense.
God no. It's a natural addition to what you already do. I own a Bernina and would LOVE some dedicated time/advice about how to maximise its functions. I use a fraction of its capabilities. You knowing it and representing them would make it very worthwhile to pack us both up and drive down the highway for some intense tutoring. For this you should be paid. Go for it. No selling out here.
So many people recommend Bernina machines, its hard to ignore them! I'm in the market for a new machine and even my friend whose coming along (to the Craft and Quilt Fair)for the test drive said "Bernina"!
See you there?
Hmmm... well I listen to all the other stuff you talk about and you sell all of that! I might be a little suss if you started trying to sell me Brother or Janome, but I know you're a Bernina girl.
Would you be posting these Berninas?
I think it makes total sense Nic - It will be a part of your fantastic business, and anyway, I'm buying my first Bernina from you one day - we know you love them, and no better way to sell something than believing in it - YOU GO GIRL, I mean SEW!
As long as you don't start writing your patterns with details in the instructions that could only be achieved on a Bernina (like a machine setting or specialist foot) I don't see how it would be selling out. You do genuinely like them. I mean you do like them? It's hard to tell sometimes ;-)
You still use your industrial? Not really any different than that - not all your customers will have access to one of those!
I have invested so much in feet for my Husqvarna that short of that millionaire lottery win, I'm stuck with it. It's a good machine but some things could be better.
Major envy for those ladies in your class... as usual!
Cheers,
AJ
Yes, become a Bernina girl. They're a fantastic machine to represent. I have had mine for over thirty years and I am still in love with it. And I have been following you for long enough to know that I would feel totally safe purchasing any product from you.
I was just thinking there was a wonderful representation of Bernina's and then you confirmed it to be solely the case. Love the old 830, such a work horse. I'll never get rid of mine. :-)
If you want to become a Bernina dealer then why not! The only thing is that you'd have to employ someone to service them as well. People like to take their machine back to where they bought it from (well, that seems to be the case here in Tas...).
Nikki - I've loved Bernina machines since my first purchase of one 36 years ago. I'm now on my second Bernina which is even better and I covet some features of others that I can't afford. I wouldn't hesitate to sell them because I believe in them. I imagine you would feel the same. Nothing would be worse than trying to sell someone something you didn't like or knew wouldn't perform. Best of both worlds it seems to me. I love my Bernina shop staff. They are helpful, always try to discount things for me and offer great tuition, workshops etc. Go for it.
I think it's perfectly legitimate - assuming that you're not taking over someone else's territory - do they have rules about who sells what and where? Like newsagents? And the previous point that someone made about servicing them is a good one - plus you have to consider the trillion bits and pieces that go with them - feet for all the old and new models and various attachments. Anyway, you're their ideal spokesperson so why not?
Post a Comment