So the latest in the Innova Longarm Quilting machine saga is that the dealer is now happy for a technician to come and sort the rest of the installation with her not in attendance.
The President of ABM says they are all busy with quilt fairs etc and cant send anyone till November. Had the machine arrived on time then installation was apparently scheduled for beg of October.
BUT.............
* Its not our fault the machine was not collected from USA in plenty of time to arrive here first week in October.
* Its not our fault TNT lost one of the boxes
* Its not our fault that the paperwork for TNT was not fully completed and this resulted in a 5 day delay to obtain an EORI number
* Its not our fault that not all the items we have paid for were shipped
It is our fault however for purchasing a machine!! Ever wished you have never bothered?!
Its like having a new car sat in your garage but you dont have the keys and now you know you will not have the keys for another 5/6 weeks - but its just sat there looking at you.
As you can tell, we are understandably less than chuffed.
Apologies to all the ladies who are waiting to have a go......perhaps we might be up and running by December - just two months later than scheduled - but who knows?
So in the meantime we have rescheduled holidays and we are going to be heading off to the USA for longarm quilting training in Utah.
***********
Just had an email from ABM President, the technician is now getting scheduled for late November and our USA training will by at ABM Innova expense.
Thank you Neil, President ABM Innova for your very kind gesture. Its is very much appreciated.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Progress so far.........
Well the rocky road to here has turned mountainous!
We made very little progress yesterday with building the machine and got totally stuck trying to assemble the hydraulic table lift (extra) as the wheels (an extra) had raised the table by around 5 inches and this would mean having to try and lift the heavy hydraulic panel to the table - it would then be suspended in mid air.
We knew the dealer was busy at a quilt show, so we contacted the company in Houston by email for technical support.
We also could not find the software for the auto pilot nor the light which we had ordered.
The reply we received informed us we had installed the wheels correctly and that the missing items were scheduled to come out to us with a technician who was going to come and help with installation & auto pilot.
When we originally placed the order back in Sept, we understood the arrangment was for the technician to come and install everything for us in exchange for the dealer & rep being able to use my machine for some training for themselves whilst the technician was here.
Just before the machine was despatched we chased the dealer to find out when the technician was going to be arriving for the installation and we were informed by the dealer that we had misunderstood and the offer was only for the installation of the auto pilot and NOT to build the whole thing - we had to assemble ourselves and have a practice on the machine before the dealer, rep and technician arrived to do the auto pilot. We could however pay her another $750 and they would sort the installation too. Obviously we were less than chuffed about this, but had no option but to really have a go.
Late last night we received an email from the President of ABM Innova. He was under the impression that their technican was going to fly out and do the whole installation and all the training -BUT we had declined and wanted to build the machine ourselves!!!
So thats where we currently are - more confused and exasperated. We have spent the whole week trying to build the machine which it is now apparent we could have just left and waited for the technician to arrive and our understanding of the arrangement was correct in the first place.
Arrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We made very little progress yesterday with building the machine and got totally stuck trying to assemble the hydraulic table lift (extra) as the wheels (an extra) had raised the table by around 5 inches and this would mean having to try and lift the heavy hydraulic panel to the table - it would then be suspended in mid air.
We knew the dealer was busy at a quilt show, so we contacted the company in Houston by email for technical support.
We also could not find the software for the auto pilot nor the light which we had ordered.
The reply we received informed us we had installed the wheels correctly and that the missing items were scheduled to come out to us with a technician who was going to come and help with installation & auto pilot.
When we originally placed the order back in Sept, we understood the arrangment was for the technician to come and install everything for us in exchange for the dealer & rep being able to use my machine for some training for themselves whilst the technician was here.
Just before the machine was despatched we chased the dealer to find out when the technician was going to be arriving for the installation and we were informed by the dealer that we had misunderstood and the offer was only for the installation of the auto pilot and NOT to build the whole thing - we had to assemble ourselves and have a practice on the machine before the dealer, rep and technician arrived to do the auto pilot. We could however pay her another $750 and they would sort the installation too. Obviously we were less than chuffed about this, but had no option but to really have a go.
Late last night we received an email from the President of ABM Innova. He was under the impression that their technican was going to fly out and do the whole installation and all the training -BUT we had declined and wanted to build the machine ourselves!!!
So thats where we currently are - more confused and exasperated. We have spent the whole week trying to build the machine which it is now apparent we could have just left and waited for the technician to arrive and our understanding of the arrangement was correct in the first place.
Arrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
OMG TNT Delivery with no warning!
Yesterday (Monday) TNT turned up with the delivery from America! No warning, no phone call nothing ...ugh.
Its been a very rocky road to this point. We were hoping for the delivery two weeks ago. When eventually it arrived in the UK we had another delay. We apparently required an EORI number to book it into customs. This was requested on the paperwork TNT provided for the shipping to be arranged, but we were not kept in the loop and noone asked us to get one. We had a week delay as we had to apply to customs to get one.
Anyway, here it is at long last. Our new 26 inch Innova Quilting Machine with 11ft frame, auto lift, light bar, castors, autopilot and the new light which has just been launched.
Three massive boxes to unload and get through the gate.
One box has been damaged
We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to empty the boxes to get them out of the rain.
Of course we had to then make a start...
and thats where we left it last night
Today we started again...
So its starting to take shape, but there is still alot more to do.
Its been a very rocky road to this point. We were hoping for the delivery two weeks ago. When eventually it arrived in the UK we had another delay. We apparently required an EORI number to book it into customs. This was requested on the paperwork TNT provided for the shipping to be arranged, but we were not kept in the loop and noone asked us to get one. We had a week delay as we had to apply to customs to get one.
Anyway, here it is at long last. Our new 26 inch Innova Quilting Machine with 11ft frame, auto lift, light bar, castors, autopilot and the new light which has just been launched.
Three massive boxes to unload and get through the gate.
One box has been damaged
We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to empty the boxes to get them out of the rain.
Of course we had to then make a start...
Today we started again...
So its starting to take shape, but there is still alot more to do.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Pat Archibald Retreat - Day Three
Well again last night the ladies worked late with the real dedicated crew sewing till midnight!
Today project was Japanese Inspiration. Here is the morning briefing.
This project uses Markal paint sticks and stencils to produce the Japanese Kamon Symbols.
Heres Janet planning her stencelling
Kathryn admiring her work
Mary
Gill
Sue
and here is yesterday work - Celtic Connection
and Mondays - Ghost Images
Here are all three pieces by Sonja
and here are Charlottes
All the ladies have had a super time experimenting with many new techniques during the three days. Pat has been a superb teacher and very generous and giving with both her time and knowledge - which of course has led to the ladies wanting to get back Pat again for another retreat! So Pat will be back with us here at The Royal Bridlington on 27th/28th & 29th April 2015.
May we also thank all the ladies who so kindly brought fabric, UFO's, spare blocks etc for our Charity Quiltathon. Any donations greatly appreciated - so please have a dig through your stack & UFO's and bring them along if you no longer need them. thank you.
Today project was Japanese Inspiration. Here is the morning briefing.
This project uses Markal paint sticks and stencils to produce the Japanese Kamon Symbols.
Heres Janet planning her stencelling
Kathryn admiring her work
Gill
Sue
Heather
Janet
Some of the ladies displaying todays work so far
and here is yesterday work - Celtic Connection
and Mondays - Ghost Images
Here are all three pieces by Sonja
and here are Charlottes
All the ladies have had a super time experimenting with many new techniques during the three days. Pat has been a superb teacher and very generous and giving with both her time and knowledge - which of course has led to the ladies wanting to get back Pat again for another retreat! So Pat will be back with us here at The Royal Bridlington on 27th/28th & 29th April 2015.
May we also thank all the ladies who so kindly brought fabric, UFO's, spare blocks etc for our Charity Quiltathon. Any donations greatly appreciated - so please have a dig through your stack & UFO's and bring them along if you no longer need them. thank you.
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Pat Archibald Retreat - Day Two
Well most of the ladies continued to work on their pieces after dinner last night and some were still going strong at 11pm!
After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast they are all fit and rearing to go with todays project - Celtic Connection.
This workshop was insprired by Pats Origional piece shown below.
Pat has strong ties with the Hebredies as her brother and daughter both live there. The inspiration for this piece comes from there and the Harris Tweed Industry.
Morning briefing
So here is the progress so far
Barbara proudly displaying her quilt
& Close up
Charlotte busy sewing down her bias binding (she's camera shy)
And another great day was had by all. Mosat of the ladies have now run off to Bridlington to catch Barbara & John at The Sewing Centre for a bit of retail therapy.
After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast they are all fit and rearing to go with todays project - Celtic Connection.
This workshop was insprired by Pats Origional piece shown below.
Pat has strong ties with the Hebredies as her brother and daughter both live there. The inspiration for this piece comes from there and the Harris Tweed Industry.
Morning briefing
So here is the progress so far
Barbara proudly displaying her quilt
Charlotte busy sewing down her bias binding (she's camera shy)
And another great day was had by all. Mosat of the ladies have now run off to Bridlington to catch Barbara & John at The Sewing Centre for a bit of retail therapy.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Pat Archibald Retreat
Pat Archibald from Edinburgh is here with us for the next three days.
Pat not only started Scotland first dedicated patchwork shop - Purely Patchwork, but her work is exhibited world wide with many awards too.
Today is Ghost Images
The ghost image of the boat is made up of layers of net - more layers where the darkest colour.
Some of the ladies hard at work
Tina giving a friendly wave
After all the layers of net have been added the sun was added by using foil & bondaweb.
Sylvia displaying her progress
The edges of the boat next need to be couched, then the sea quilted and some stars need to be sew on to complete the project.
We finished off today with a bit of a quilt show from Pat. Her work is truly amazing and the pictures really do not do it justice - but here are few anyway.
We have all had a super day and we are looking forward to tomorrows project - Celtic Connection.
Heather brought her Scrappy Stars quilt to show. This was started in a recent workshop here with Katharine Guerrier.
Pat not only started Scotland first dedicated patchwork shop - Purely Patchwork, but her work is exhibited world wide with many awards too.
Today is Ghost Images
The ghost image of the boat is made up of layers of net - more layers where the darkest colour.
Some of the ladies hard at work
Tina giving a friendly wave
After all the layers of net have been added the sun was added by using foil & bondaweb.
Sylvia displaying her progress
The edges of the boat next need to be couched, then the sea quilted and some stars need to be sew on to complete the project.
We finished off today with a bit of a quilt show from Pat. Her work is truly amazing and the pictures really do not do it justice - but here are few anyway.
We have all had a super day and we are looking forward to tomorrows project - Celtic Connection.
Heather brought her Scrappy Stars quilt to show. This was started in a recent workshop here with Katharine Guerrier.
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