Review Highlights
“They are fast and fair; I enjoy going to a shop that is run by honest, fair, hard working people; that is Dave.” in 14 reviews
“He's just an honest and great merchant.” in 3 reviews
“WOW, Talk about a knowledgeable staff !” in 3 reviews
Location & Hours
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About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Dave E.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/srv0/yelp_styleguide/bf5ff8a79310/assets/img/default_avatars/user_medium_square.png)
Dave E.
Sewing Machine Center offers a full line of vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, embroidery machines sergers & blindhem machines for the home and industrial user. We have all the supplies such as sewing machine cabinets, digitizing software, embroidery designs, embroidery hoops, embroidery threads, embroidery stabilizers, scissors, & notions. A complete line of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, (steam vacs), vacuum parts, vacuum filters, vacuum bags, vacuum belts, and vacuum accessories. We carry many brands such as Brother, Babylock, Pfaff, Juki, Consew, Necchi, Artisan, Miele, Sebo, Hoover, Royal, and more. Sewing Machine Center is the home of EmbroideryTeam.com, a full service embroidery and digitizing company for all your embroidery needs such as logo digitizing, custom embroidery, embroidered apparel, monogramming and more. Fast & reliable personalized service online or in our store!
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Overall rating
41 reviews
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1 star
- Vivienne J.Plymouth, CA024838Jan 28, 2008First to Review
If you need your vacuum fixed and you want it done right, go see these guys!
My vacuum is about 10 years old. I've changed the belt a time or two and had it in for service once elsewhere, but it's performance had been declining steadily anyway until it was a mere shadow of it's former self. Finally it was unusable (since I couldn't get the darn bagless tank container thingy off!). I found this shop completely by accident, and decided to try their service. I told them my vacuum needed an overhaul. When I got my vacuum back about a week later, it worked like new again! They even cleaned it - it looked so shiny and nice again. The price? $99.79 all told (about $30 for parts, $70 for labor) - cheaper than a new canister vacuum and performing just as well as one again.
They are a friendly little fabric/sewing/vacuum repair shop tucked in the corner between a SaveMart and a Long's up McKee by Toyon. Walk to the back desk for vacuum repair service. I will take my vacuum here everytime now! :)Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Theresa N.South San Jose, San Jose, CA07Mar 15, 2024Updated review
Of course my sewing machine needed a tune up during the pandemic. I took it into The Sewing Machine and Vacuum Center and got it back in a reasonable amount of time at a reasonable cost and it now runs like a dream. My sewing skills are no better but at least my machine doesn't make me want to cry.
This is a review I wrote and failed to finalize so it's late but better late than never.Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0Jun 28, 2020Previous reviewOf course my sewing machine needed a tune up during the pandemic. I took it into The Sewing Machine and Vacuum Center and got it back in a reasonable amount of time at a reasonable cost and it now runs like a dream. My sewing skills are no better but at least my machine doesn't make me want to cry.
- Mildred P.San Jose, CA03Sep 1, 2021
I have been buying sewing machines, sewing furniture and supplies from Dave for over 30 years. I have ALWAYS been a satisfied customer, often getting more than thought I would. Dave and his associates are very well informed on their products and can help with pretty much anything. I've moved to CO and sorely miss Dave's store. For the first year or so of my move, I still called Dave for assistance, which he has always cheerfully delivered.
Thank you Dave!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Apr 6, 2019
This little shop is a hop skip and jump away from me.
I'm still relatively new to sewing. So I've walked in a few times to pick up some small things like needles, elastic, and thread. Well recently I had a little mishap with my sewing machine. I was trying everything to trouble-shoot it. From looking at the manual and YouTube, nothing worked. I was very hesitant that the shop would nickle and dime me if I took my machine in. I literally drove all the way to Joann's to see if they could offer me advice and to buy a different part to attach to my machine. After getting practically scolded by the workers at Joann's, I decided to bite the bullet and take my damn machine in. Waited about 5 minutes for a customer ahead of me, 2 minutes for the owner look at it, 2 minutes to find the part, and 2 minutes to be rung out. Legit I was so happy after being so anxious about going there. The owner even explained to me and my husband what actually needed replacing, and even told my husband how to replace it. Definitely will stop by more often now for sewing supplies.
Also, this place always has the bags my family needs for our Kirby vacuum.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Mindy V.San Jose, CA0254Dec 24, 2020
this is a review left solely for their COVID precautions
The owners (husband and wife) are very knowledgable, they helped me quickly! 5 stars on that
HOWEVER. Outside says "masks required" with the county requirements for operating during COVID but the owners are not wearing masks yet they are still helping customers (who are masked). Won't be returning for the time being bc of the no-mask but it's a great place if you need assistance.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Alex I.Phoenix, AZ2518114Apr 20, 2020
TL;DD version.
I did my research and came in for tuneup and new fan. Dave, the owner was unpleasant and condescending. Charged me $184. Didn't fix my vacuum. Refused to stand by his work. Entirely frustrating experience with this unpleasant, stubborn con artist.
Should have known better the minute I walked in and Dave, the owner, is on the phone, and continues his convo for 5 min without so much as acknowledging me. But I'm there because this place is 5 min from my house. I know exactly what's wrong with my Kirby vac, it's the fan. It makes an ear piercing screech after a few minutes when run. I've read up on it, and talked to a couple repair people, but every other place is half an hour away. So I tell him what's wrong and what I need. He's immediately condescending, basically tells me I'm an idiot to believe the two live people and multiple sites i looked at. Says it could be any number of things but he'll fine it a full tune-up and fix whatever it is. And proceeds to insists that I need a new roll brush. Ok, fine. $25 more dollars. He's being unpleasant, so I figure if I let him up sell me maybe he'll do a better job. He charged me $50 for the roller, denied telling me it was $25.
Week later. I walk in. He gives hands me an old pedal and says this was the problem. Um, no, that's not even my old pedal. Oh, he says. Here's your vac. Ok, simple mistake. No prob. And, hey, turns out it was the fan! I pay and as I'm wheeling the vac out it's still making the same noise! Hey, Dave, what's up with this noise? Oh, that has nothing to do with the fan. I take it home and within 5 minutes of vacuuming, guess what? If you said ear piercing screech, you're right. I call him. Oh, bring it back so I can take a look at it. He runs the vac for a few minutes, says there's no noise. I inform him takes a while longer. He says if he doesn't hear the noise he can't fix it. Well, weren't you inside the machine? Didn't you give it a tune-up? What's up with returning a machine that's still doing the same thing I brought it in for. But he stubbornly insists can't fix it if he can't hear the noise. Won't accept the fact that I brought it in for this noise and he gave it back to me with the same noise. Keeps insisting he changed the fan! Won't listen when I remind him he said he wouldn't know it's the fan until did full diagnosis.
Now, I'm a retired peace officer. I'm used to dealing with difficult, unreasonable people. This guy is passive aggressive, and stubbornly won't stand behind his work! I realize I'm not getting anywhere. So I decide to kiss that $184 goodbye. And deal with the noise. But since I'm in lockup at home waiting out the 'rona, and bored, my house is the cleanest for miles around and every time I use my Kirby the screeching drives me up the f'ing wall!
I don't like writing bad reviews and generally hold off unless I really have a terrible experience -- well Dave fits the criteria, and I've got lots of time. So I wrote you this Russian novel for your edification.
Thanks for reading, and stay the hell away!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Mikayla A.South San Jose, San Jose, CA02528Jun 13, 2020
I went in with a cheapo machine I bought online that's been giving me issues. The service here is great! The staff is very knowledgeable about the machines and seem very happy to help.
I ended up leaving my machine there to be recycled and went home with a better machine! If you purchase a machine there they schedule you for a walk through on how to use it! Definitely going back for my walk through and will be doing all my servicing through here.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Becka R.Sunnyvale, CA422521Jan 18, 2018Updated review
I'm sorry David but the request to return the Vaccum was not a month after purchasing it was definitely past the 7 days but no more then 15 days. I do understand that locations have re-stocking fees ,I never argued that. The 25% I do think is a pretty outrageous amount 10-15% would have been reasonable.
Any who my complain and bad feed back was more on the lack of customer service you provided when I came into your shop to ask about returning something. Had you walked out from behind the counter or acknowledged that I was patiently standing there waiting, I perhaps would have been more understanding . That it's was not so much about the 7 days but the book keeping nightmare you didn't want to deal with.
Telling me I have to keep it because I bought it, was uncalled for obviously I was unhappy with my purchase and I was no longer in need of it.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
David E.
Oct 20, 2017
I cannot take any returns after seven days because of inventory control and a book keeping nightmare.
This request was was a month after the sale. A 25% restocking / return fee is not uncommon, and not out of line.Oct 18, 2017Previous reviewNever coming back here again! Came in a few weeks ago and I should have known then not to purchase anything. I was looking to purchase a commercial backpack Vaccum and they happen to have one in stock. Older gentlemen was at first friendly while showing me the darn thing. At the time he had another employee in the store helping him out while customers came to the store and phone rang he walked away leaving me alone, wondering what the heck so he could go attend to the new customers.
Well I ended up purchasing the Vaccum took it home. And after speaking to the rest of my family they decided we could do without it and to just hire someone to do cleaning for us. I came back into the store to ask about his return policy. Should have taken a picture of the one that has hanging from ceiling stating that " you have 7 days to return as long as item is accompanied with receipt plus 25% restocking fee" ( insane right, pretty high). So I ask him and let him know it's been more then 7 days but I have not used it and would like to return what is your policy for this or what can be done? His answer was well there is no return policy you buy it because your going to use it. So I I again said I have not used it and was just asking. He stated again they have no returns in anything. So I point out that there is a policy intact hanging behind him and how does he go about deciding what can possibly be returned and not within the seven days. He chuckles and says "you buy it and use it"
What a waste of my time. And 500$. Wouldn't come back for anything. Place is a joke! - Penny Denise O.San Jose, CA2413May 4, 2020Updated review
I've know Dave Ellis for 35 years. He is the least pushy salesman, has always been a very fair merchant and I wouldn't trust anyone else with my machines. I purchased only 4 from him and when you find an excellent machine repair person you want to stick with them.
If there's a problem he will make it right/good, he is someone you can trust.
No I'm not related to, married to, or work for him. He's just an honest and great merchant. Thanks Dave for being who you are.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Aug 2, 2017Previous reviewIf I could give more stars I would. I've know Dave for over 32 years. I've followed him from Eastridge, Tully Road, Aborn, McKee Road, and now Capitol Expy. He is very honesty and if you have an issue/problem he will fix it or take care of whatever it is.
I've purchased 4 machines from him. I've been sewing for over 60 years and I am very picky. Dave has been nothing but professional and is the only store I will shop at for any machine. I know everything will be fine when I take a vacuum cleaner, sewing machine,or serger to him for fixing.
I've told many people about him and have been asked for his name and number to take their machines to. - Marbella M.San Jose, CA232Apr 18, 2020
Very nice people I love it and friendly. They help me to find parts for my sewing machine. Thank you so much for your help. I recommend everybody to go to the store and buy what you need for sewing machine.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Susan C.Milpitas, CA945719Jan 9, 2019
I'm looking to buy the Juki sewing machine needles for all over the place and cannot find it. Finally find this shop on yelp and called in to make sure they have it. Then came in to buy the sewing needles. Thanks to Dave's for the great customer service! I will coming back to get more stuff.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0
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