Meet Our Repair Technicians

Meet Our Repair Technicians

Upland Vacuum & Sewing

Have a sick machine? Or is it just time for its annual check-up? Bring it to Upland Vacuum & Sewing! No appointment is needed, you can bring it in anytime, and there is always an employee who can give you an estimate (for free!). Every employee here is trained on the machines and if it's something simple we can fix on the spot, there is no charge for our labor! If we need to write it up and put it in line for the repairman to look at it, the base rates range from $79-149 depending on the type and size of the machine. Parts are additional. 

Ted

Machine Technician

Ted has been in the business of repairing machines since 1977. He started his own repair business in 1985 and has "retired" a couple of times since then, but just can't stay away from fixing machines.


Ted is now a freelance repairman for a couple of stores in Southern California. He does all our repairs here in the store and comes at least once a week (sometimes twice if needed). He enjoys coming in the early morning hours, long before the store even opens, so he can work on as many machines as possible in peace and quiet.


Ted has been factory-trained and certified by every brand of machine and keeps up with all the most recent training from each company. Since he is a factory-certified technician, he has access to genuine replacement parts instead of generic ones, which guarantees that your machine is getting the best quality treatment possible.

Ted - Machine Technician

  • What should I bring with my machine to have it serviced?

    When bringing your machine in to have it looked at, you should bring everything that we'll need to make a zigzag stitch. This includes the power cord, foot control, bobbin and bobbin case, presser foot, and needle. 


    If you are experiencing a specific problem, bring in a sample of the fabric and thread you are using and an example of the problem. You may bring your machine in a case or not. We will mark on your paperwork everything you leave to make sure you get it all back. 


    You do not need to bring in the manual or accessories. If the repairman needs a manual, this probably shouldn't be his day job.  


    If you have an embroidery machine, you should bring the embroidery unit and hoop with it so that he can service both at the same time. 

  • What's included in the base service?

    A regular service includes a thorough cleaning, necessary lubrication, and any minor adjustments. 


    Our repairman will take off the covers and make sure everything inside is clean, oiled, and working in tip-top shape before putting everything back together and testing the machine to guarantee the stitch quality is perfect and the machine is humming along nicely. 

  • How do I know if my machine only needs a base service or something additional?

    If your machine is sewing (feeding the fabric and making a stitch), then it should only need a base service. If the stitch looks horrible, it's most likely only a tension adjustment which is included in the base service. If your machine won't make a stitch or knobs/dials are frozen, it will most likely need some extra time and work invested, and there may be additional charges. 


    When you bring your machine to us, we will give it a thorough estimate and let you know how much we estimate it to cost. There's no charge for estimates, and if we end up being wrong, the tech will let us know and we call you first and get your approval before doing any extra work and adding on extra charges.

  • What if I don't need my machine serviced, only a part replaced?

    If your machine doesn't need a service but you need a part installed that requires the machine to be taken apart, it will be the same as a service charge. This is because it still requires the time and skill needed to take apart and put back together (correctly), and make sure all the parts are working together in harmony. 


    While it is taken apart, we will also clean any debris, add any oil needed, and make any other adjustments he sees while it's taken apart. If you insist on only wanting the part replaced, we recommend you wait until your machine needs service and the tech will replace the part(s) at the same time. 

  • What if I only want to talk to the tech?

    Ted comes once a week, usually at 5 am so he can work in peace and quiet and get as much done as possible without distraction.  


    He is a freelance technician, not an employee. He does not work in the storefront but in the back, in our repair room. Since he does not get paid hourly, but by machine, he asks us (the employees of the store) to test every machine and what to look for, and to write up the most thorough estimates we can.  


    If we pull him to give estimates and write up machines, he will have less time to work on machines and will get fewer machines done. 


    As a courtesy to him, we ask that you entrust us to handle the paperwork, and we promise that your machine will see him sooner if he has fewer interruptions. 

  • I bought my machine at another dealer, but it's a brand that you sell, shouldn't my warranty apply?

    Unfortunately, when a dealer sells a machine, the profits don't go into a community bank that is shared by all dealers to pull from in case of warranty issues. The warranty on parts is usually from the sewing machine company itself, and if so, they will cover the expenses from any parts, but they do not reimburse for labor. That is expected to come out of the pocket of the dealer that made the sale. So although we would like to help honor your warranty, we cannot stay in business if we are paying out of our pocket to fix your machine. 

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