Berkeley Vacuum & Sewing Center

What great people! I've taken my sewing machine in twice because it was skipping stitches and had great customer service both times. A very nice man (I'm sorry I don't know his name) plugged in my machine, tested it out and found and fixed the problem right away. The first time he charged me only $10 and the second time nothing at all. Highly recommended!

Wonderful knowledgeable service. Quickly identified the problem with the sewing machine and showed me how to avoid pitfalls. I would definitely use them again in the future.

I don't often write reviews and have never posted a negative review, but I feel obligated to do it in this case. I took my sewing machine to this shop because of all the good reviews. My experience was not good.

I was initially told it would take a week. It took almost two weeks. At one point I got an apology saying they had gotten busy. They seem to have a problem managing their workload.

The communication is not good. I had to continually call them to get the status of my machine. I was told someone would call me back many times without return calls.

I took it in to have the tension adjusted and they didn't adjust it properly. The recommended tension by the manufacturer is between 4 - 6. It was set to 7. I didn't want to take it back to ask them to adjust because I worried it would be months before I got it back.

I ended up taking it to a different shop and got it back in under a week.

I do not recommend this shop.

I went here to get the power connecter on my brother machine fixed. Prior to this my machine has worked flawlessly for the past 10 years. When I dropped the machine off the lady at the front was nice and told me they would call me with an estimate and I could decide if I wanted it fixed. After a week and no follow up I called them and they said they haven't gotten to it but would call me with an estimate. About a week after that I received a call that when they fixed the machine they messed up the needle control and it now is too the far left and cannot be changed. I have had this machine for 10 years and never had a problem and I'm beating myself up for taking it in here and getting it back ruined. If my review can save one persons machine it'll be worth it.
Not only did I never receive a call with a quote, but when they went to charge me they didn't deduct the deposit I already paid and I had to remind them... I feel like it would be easy to forget that you paid a deposit especially after a few weeks and they shouldn't make the customer deduct it or get charged extra. Overall I'm out $60 and a sewing machine and couldn't be more upset.
I also understand that mistakes happen and it's how you deal with them that show the integrity of a business... and to still be charged after they broke my machine was insane to me. I'd look elsewhere even if you have to drive further... it'll save you the headache of needing to buy a new machine.

Wilson is a master with a sewing machine!
Forever grateful for him fixing my sewing machine with kindness and care. Will always recommend this business for all your sewing machine and vacuum needs ! Thank you so so much !

I used to bring my 1946 Featherweight Singer to the old shop on Berkeley Way once a year for a cleaning and tune up. They always did a great job and it was good to go when I brought it home. I brought it to the new location last November (I think) and for numerous reasons was not able to "test drive" it until recently. Sorry to say, I've had nothing but problems with the tension every time I've tried to use it since then. Given that it cost ~$200 to have it cleaned/checked and now the I can't use it at all, I'm pretty upset. Yes, I should've dealt with this much closer to the repair time, but circumstances did not permit. What now? Take it to yet another service/repair place and pay again for something that wasn't broken when I brought it in to the first repair shop? My trust is broken, as is my sewing machine. I am not a happy camper.

UPDATE: The owner has responded to my situation and I will take it back for a recheck. I REALLY appreciate her response to this situation, especially since it took me so long to notice it.

Left my daughter's sewing machine here for service, and had to prepay $130. The technician said he was making a note that the pedal and power cord (one unit) were with it. I noticed later the receipt noted "no case no pedal," but thought that since the pedal and power cord were integrated, that was their way of indicating there was only one cord left. When I picked it up, this essential component was gone. They insisted that I did not leave it. I had to fight with them to get a replacement. I have a second machine badly in need of service - I won't be taking it here.

I just brought a hose over with a Hot Wheels car lodged in. I worked on getting the little 1969 Chevelle SS 396 out of that hose for over two hours last night, cursing myself for complaining about suctioning up Lego pieces in the past, because this was so much worse. I went down to Berkeley Vacuum and Sewing Center with the hose (and stuck car). The owner, Susan, was very kind. They got it out in a minute and didn't charge me (I would have understood if they charged a small fee, and it's not unusual these days for places to charge a sizable minimum, but this was so appreciated). It was a reminder of how important it is to support our local businesses and community. I'm glad I went down there, which also reminded me that my sewing machine has been sitting in my closet and needing service. So glad we were able to save a part from going in the landfill and if there are issues with my vacuum in the future, this is the first place I'd take it to.

I've been making masks for friends and family, so when my own sewing machine didn't work, I was disappointed, and had to borrow a machine from an acquaintance. They are slammed right now, with everyone taking up old hobbies, but I still got my machine back in less than a week. And the guy behind the counter is friendly and knowledgable. I got my White sewing machine in middle school about 40 years ago, so I was impressed.

One more vote for "This Place Rocks".
I took my sewing machine in because it was doing something annoying that I thought signaled some sort of problem with the machine. The man behind the counter at B-V & SC got right down to business, plugging in my machine and testing it every which way. He investigated for probably 20 minutes before coming to the conclusion that my machine wasn't broken--no repair needed!--but that it just wasn't capable of doing the particular thing I was wanting it to. He showed me what it was, indeed, capable of, and how to work within its limitation.

All that time and advice cost me exactly $0.00. I bought a couple sewing notions--they have an awesome selection at excellent prices--and vacuum bags, which I've been meaning to get forever, and went on my way.

This place has that old-fashioned kind of service that our parents talk about; I think the word for it is "good" service. For that reason, I will try to patronize them whenever possible. Places like this deserve my business.

Berkeley Vac has the very Best Customer Service. Easy Parking. Fair price points. Outstanding Inventory and really smart people to answer myriad questions. They fixed my Vac Cleaner in minutes - new belt and few little tweaks -and it is like new. Brand new.
I appreciate outstanding customer service and never hesitate to bring a client's sewing machine or vacuum cleaner to this unique store.
Highly recommend. Plus, they have everything you need for sewing - wonderful selection of scissors. Yes, I am a big fan.