Comments on: Excuse me while I vent

By: Fashion Incubator » Should you start a clothing line?

Fashion Incubator » Should you start a clothing line? — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:58:33 +0000

[...] it has anything to do with male domination or discrimination against women or any of that. Which is not to say it’s all rosy for women but men don’t take things as personally as women do. It seems that some women hedge their [...]

By: Archives 7/17 - 7/23 2005-2008

Archives 7/17 - 7/23 2005-2008 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:18:25 +0000

[...] happen. Hmmm. Not saying it’s the case with this company but some machine suppliers don’t deal with women. One machine manufacturer I won’t mention by name, offers a five week sewing machine repair [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:12:20 +0000

After investing personal time in attempting to resolve the case of the undelivered merchandise by TVIS, with no personal gain, Kathleen bridged a communication gap for me that I had been previously unable to do myself despite over a year of trying… within a couple weeks of the post I heard back from a rep at TVIS regarding my undelivered merchandise. I received the merchandise Monday afternoon, and TVIS had thrown in a couple extra pieces for good measure. I unpacked and inspected the buggies yesterday afternoon. Although I spoke to TVIS last week and was assured that the buggies were on their way, I wanted to wait until I had received them in my plant before posting an update, as I had heard from them before that my merchandise was on it’s way when it was not. I should add that the contact name for Tennessee Valley Industrial Sewing posted above was Robert Collier, a relative of the current owner, whom I am told is no longer employed there. ***Many thanks to you Kathleen! You’re a star!***

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:22:07 +0000

In the background, I've been following up on Sarah's complaint against Tennessee Valley Industrial Sewing. Apparently, they owe her over $1,000 worth of buggies. In spite of repeated phone calls and emails (from both of us), the company has not responded to her complaint. No one answers the phone during office hours. I've recommended she contact the BBB since she has a lot of documentation and credibility (her firm is well established in the industry with a good reputation). In a nutshell, buyer beware. If TVIS makes good on this, I'll make note of it here.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:06:01 +0000

Thanks for the report Sarah. I went to their website and filled out the contact form mentioning your comment here and leaving the link. I also called their phone number. It seems to be working now, I got a machine (I'm calling after hours).

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 30 May 2007 23:40:31 +0000

The above mentioned “wonderful contact for commercial machines” owes me nearly $1000 in merchandise I prepaid for almost a year ago and have not received. He made excuses a couple times and promised the order would be on it’s way but I have seen nothing and he will not return my company’s calls. I am definitely disappointed. The cell phone number he gave me to call him has been disconnected and I have left many messages at the number posted above with no response. I used to think he was a nice guy too, not anymore.

By: June

June — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:15:08 +0000

I have a a wonderful contact for commercial machines. He has a family owned and operated business and is one of the kindest most helpful men I have ever met ( sorry honey!)
I have bought several machines from him and he has hand delivered them ( I’m a few hours away).
Oh, and they fixed my machines to run on house current. You’ll not be dissappointed,
June

Robert L. Collier
Tennessee Valley Industrial Sewing, Inc.
234 International Drive
Lawrenceburg, TN. 38464
Phone: 931-762-7663
Fax: 931-762-4303

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:02:21 +0000

I haven’t used an industrial machine since I was in school in ‘04, nor have I tried to buy one (not at that stage in my biz yet), but I know that the repair guy seemed to come promptly. Maybe it’s a bit different here in Portland, OR?

I don’t know how many people read this, but what if we collectively brought domestic production back??? I don’t know a ton about it…it is just my thought. I mean production of apparel AND textiles. As my biz grows, I plan to contract seamstresses for piece work then I’d like to have it all done in house. I wouldn’t want to deal with snotty/lofty salespeople either. It sucks you had to go thru that.

By: Deanna

Deanna — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 22:50:51 +0000

I have experienced this attitude also. It is really frustrating when you have money to spend, you have a need for equipment and you just want someone to sell to you.
The local “dealer” of used indust. machines wouldn’t return calls, wouldn’t even come out of the back room to speak to me. Just sent the clerk with a message to email him what I want and he will order it. What do you have? no reply.
So I traveled 8 hours to Calgary and found “International Sewing Machines Ltd” a Ma and Pa operation where they took the time to explain the machines, they knew enough about production to alert me to possible problems, and introduced me to their mechanic (their daughter!) who showed me how to do minor maintainence so that I wouldn’t have to have downtime for minor things. They were amazing! They even stayed late that night to dismantle 2 machines and pack them into the trunk of my car. Motors, stands everything. It showed me that there is no point in trying to be a big shot – you really impress people when you know what you are doing and you care about it too. (And yes, my car was riding a little low on the way back)

By: Big Irv

Big Irv — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:33:46 +0000

The attitude of some equipment suppliers is appalling at times. Fabric/trim suppliers too.

I had a conversation a few weeks ago with a gentleman who was organizing a trade show for equipment suppliers to our industry. It is a fairly well publicized event that you have mentioned here and I believe you will attend this show in May.
He related to me that many of his members were balking at exhibiting at the show. The primary reason given was that many felt it would be futile to exhibit as much of domestic production has shifted to Asia.
The feeling I came away with was that this group are neglecting the small-mid sized DE and they do not fully understand the potential this sector represents.

I think most of us realize how globalization has
changed the sewn products industry. I think those that are healthy and viable are doing so because they were able to forsee the changes and try new strategies. Some are still learning, but they remain optimistic that this still is a very real industry.

I discuss the state of affairs of our business with suppliers everyday. Like you Kathleen,I get frustrated when people go on and on talking doom and gloom.
I see many people sitting back feeling sorry for themselves, but unwilling to try new things. Some yearn for the good old days. I don’t know if that will happen, but I do know of many vibrant successful industry suppliers that are healthy because they chose to think “outside the box”. Lot’s of hard work in the process, because they are passionate about the business.

In the past 5 years, I have seen plenty of people “throw in the towel”, but I have seen plenty prosper as a result.

Kathleen, thanks for pointing out attitude amongst suppliers is a very important step to aiding our industry.