Berkeley-Vacuum and Sewing Center

RUDE! HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! I decided to visit this little gem to purchase a vacuum cleaner today. The woman who was behind the cash register saw me enter the business (she watched me from the time I got out the car until I reached her). I got to the counter and she decided then would be a good time to get on the computer. Not once did she acknowledge my presence, she was acting like I was invisible so I did both she and I a favor and left. WTF? What type of business is this. Here I was ready to spend several hundred dollars on a new vacuum but had to deal with STUPIDITY! They never have to worry about seeing me
EVER AGAIN! Save yourself and NEVER visit this horrible place they call a business!

What a great place! We went in last Saturday, and they spent HOURS with us going over options for a new vacuum cleaner. We bought a great machine and are very happy… the machine has a slight problem and we’ll take it in in a few days… I’ll report back.

Extremely rude over the phone. Will not even bother going in to purchase what I need to repair my machine. Literally just got off the phone with them and this was my interaction:
Employee: Hello?
Me: Hello is this Berkeley Sew & Vac?
Employee: No, bay area.
Me: Uh, okay. Do you repair sewing machines?
Employee: No, industrial only.
Me: That’s what I need – a motor belt for a juki.
Employee: What size?
Me: I’m not sure, do I need to measure around the motor?
Employee: Yeah, do that and call me back. –hangs up–
Absolutely awful customer service. I’d rather drive all the way to the city to Apparel City than deal with these rude men.

Fantastic customer service and quality of work. I’ve brought my vacuum in for a repair on two occassions and they were able to fix it while I waited.
Very affordable, knowledgeable staff. Would definitely recommend them to anyone.
Thank you!

I still love this place Berkeley Vacuum Center they have made me a customer for life! Each time I go into the store whether it’s for my Riccar/​Blue Air purifier for bags and HEPA filters or getting service I always get the help I need. from their very friendly and knowledgeable service staff!

Great customer service. My sewing machine broke right at the end of a project I was working on. I called and they said it would take about a week. I understood and was OK with that. Imagine my surprise when they called back the same day and said that they had been able to fit the repair in between jobs. WOW! It’s like it’s a new machine.

This place is the greatest. Friendly, fair, and they really know their stuff. I wandered in with my Miele vacuum, which was still going strong after more than 10 years but had developed an electrical problem. They fixed it on the spot, and also offered to repair two other minor problems (broken latch and stuck wand). I was in and out of there in 15 minutes, with a good-​as-​new vacuum and for a reasonable price. It’s so great to see an independent specialty business like this.

These guys are awesome.
I had a vacuum cleaner where the electric cord had run off the reel. The cord just needed to be reset, but I couldn’t figure out how to open the vacuum to reset the cord on the real. And I didn’t want to break the vacuum cleaner trying to open it.
I had originally taken the vacuum cleaner to one of Berkeley Vacuum’s competitors for repairs because they’re closer to me. The competitor wanted a week just to give me an estimate on the repairs. I took it into Berkeley Vacuum, they listened to me about what the problem was, and they fixed it in 10 minutes. Yep, 10 minutes. They charged me their minimum fee of $ 20, and I left very happy and a satisfied customer.
Even before I stepped into their store, I called them twice, and each time, the customer service person was patient and explained their costs and process in detail in a way which makes you really trust them.
I’m definitely going back to these guys if I ever need more repairs on my vacuum.

Professional, responsive and very fair. We have a really nice vacuum that my mom bought us and they have been nothing but fabulous and helpful when it comes to servicing our machine. Highest recommendation.

Walked in with two broken vacuums and walked out within fifteen minutes later with both repaired and clean! Under $ 40.00 to repair both plus two new belts! I will back with my sewing machines and all repairs (thanks to housekeeper!) for my vacuums. The best.

Excellent service, I see why they have been in business for so many years.
I have a 10+ year old Miele that needed a new plug & hose attachment piece. I was helped right away, and was told both repairs could be done right then & there, in 15 minutes time. He let me know exact pricing, which was very reasonable, and everything was done just as promised. Not only that, he replaced a filter and buffed out all the scratches/​scuff marks free of charge. It looks almost brand new.
Can’t recommend these guys enough, they’ve made me a customer for life.

Fixed my vacuum cleaner under 10 seconds… and NO CHARGE!!!

A startling combination of 1970’s efficiency and soviet-​style customer service. They only order parts once a week (Monday) to be delivered the following Friday, ensuring at least an 11 day wait for a vacuum part if you show up later than Monday morning. Who can go a week and a half without a vacuum? I ordered a part with that waiting period, only to be told «the UPS driver didn’t show up; they do that sometimes». Breathtaking.

What a wonderful experience I had here! I took my injured sewing machine in for what I thought surely would be a lengthy ‘hospital’ stay as it had been damaged and barely running after I foolishly lent it out. (Not doing THAT again) Surely it would need to stay, have a part ordered and undergo a complicated operation and with any luck be saved! Within minutes it was opened up, miraculously adjusted, oiled and repaired!!! I left within the hour with my newly perfectly working machine, some new needles, vacuum filters for my old Miele, and plenty of change in my pocket. So grateful! My lucky day to have gone to BV and been served with such expertise and gracious service. Old-​fashioned (excellent) service deserves old-​fashioned rewards and Mr. Seegmiller and his sweet daughter are getting fresh baked cookies next time I drop by! This is the kind of business that you want to KEEP in business and I’m their newest loyal fan.
P. S. They can sharpen all types of cutting tools. Good to know.

Several years ago I brought my Dirt Devil can vac to BV because it stopped working.
I was amazed how quickly they unclogged all the Christmas Tree needles stuck inside and returned it to me with a smile.
When it came time to purchase a new vacuum, I went straight to BV. I chose the Miele canister model after being thoroughly educated on the product by the staff. Their expertise and customer service are over the moon! I wouldn’t shop anywhere else.

I have brought my White Star Miele vacuum and and then my Elna SU sewing machine in for repair. On both occasions, the service has been top quality. Their knowledge is supreme on both topics– vacuum and sewing. They consistently advise repair on only what is necessary. And walk me through their troubleshooting. I feel so pleased after a trip to the vacuum store, even if I am just buying vacuum bags.
A solid solid business!

Awesome service great work done wonderful price! I can’t say enough about this repair and service shop and I almost look forward to something else breaking so I can go back. Repaired: late-​model Sears sewing machine belt

Wow. Blown away by the customer service I had today. I brought in my ailing and elderly Dyson and was warmly greeted when I walked in the door. I gave a vague description of the problem to the guy at the counter («It kinda roars at me in an angry way sometimes») and in less than 30 seconds he diagnosed it as a failing clutch. (Vacuums have clutches? Who knew?)
He then examined the rest of my machine and noted that in addition to a new clutch, it needed new belts and filters and that the roller was on its last legs. Punched a few keys on the calculator and shook his head. «You know, I wouldn’t sink that much into this,» he told me. «You might as well take what you’d spend and put it toward a new machine.»
A merchant turning AWAY business for the good of the customer? That’s almost unheard of these days, but that’s what he did. Further, he spent the next 15 minutes with me discussing the pros and cons of the newer Dyson models… even though they don’t sell them and there was zero chance at this point of me spending any money in the shop.
Although I left without a vacuum (I donated my dying beast to them for parts that someone else might be able to use), I left super happy with the experience. And when my new Dyson arrives and it needs any sort of maintenance, I know exactly where I’ll be going — and where I’ll be referring my friends. Unbelievable, A+ customer service in a knowledgeable, friendly environment. Awesome.

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.

Berkeley-​Vacuum and Sewing Center fixed our Dyson HEPA Pet vacuum cleaner in 20 minutes and only charged $ 20 for the labor and $ 40 for the part. Most of the places we called about getting this part replaced quoted us $ 75 for the labor alone and said it would take several weeks to order the part. Berkeley Vacuum had it in stock and fixed it on the spot!
For someone like me who has cat allergies as well as a pet cat, I can’t afford to leave my HEPA vacuum in the shop for weeks, because my home would be uninhabitable for me! So a place that can get the job done immediately? Awesome!