PED/Palette News
Friends, be ready for an update to be announced after the Back to School Brother/Babylock events. From what I hear the new version 7 will have a lot of stuff matching up to Masterworks (Babylocks’ exclusive new software). As PED was my very first software to use, I am a bit hesitant in updating any more. Starting off with $1500 with every update (except for one) being around $300/$400 it is a bit impossible to keep digging in the pockets. Personally I stopped purchasing after 5.0 and do not intend to update unless the software has something extraordinary to offer. Please do not take this to mean that it is not a good software, it is. Just that I am unable to keep up with the updates and the $$$ that it costs. I do have my eyes on it though to see what new additions will be made in version 7.0. Meanwhile, I will stick with my not so costly Embird Digitizing Studio. Studio is easy to use and not so expensive.
I am going through a cynical phase concerning my sewing/embroidery hobby. It seems like almost any question I ask the brand rep gets an answer of, “Oh, to fix that problem you must buy this new XXXXX” (minimum cost $50), and if you don’t want to buy, they don’t talk to you any more.
This worry that I am becoming a cynic crystalized this week when a friend was complaining about her digitizing software getting stuck somehow (she has an entirely different brand of machine/software than I do, by the way) where it would not allow her to open various formats of designs. She has been on the telephone and email with her brand support line for over a month (not continuously) and was told by multiple people that she needed the next $150 upgrade to take care of the problem. After listening to her describe the problem for about 10 minutes, it seemed obvious to me that the software had become corrupted and needed to be uninstalled then reinstalled. 20 minutes later her problem was fixed, and I only “charged” her a cup of coffee.
Is it the times we live in or just an unfortunate coincidence that I keep running into support people who seem to be on commission and aren’t interested in support?
Lisa, you are experiencing first hand what so many of us have been through for years. If it is any consolation, the lack of support based upon $$ is expected in every industry. Support groups for machine embroidery help fill in that void and I would suggest googling for Yahoo embroidery groups. There are quite a lot of them and I’m sure your friend will find one particular to her machine and software. As to your question, it is what it is and you are not alone in being cynical. I understand completely. Hopefully, my blog can help answer some of your questions. You can also email me any time and I will do my best to find the answer. Hugs, Sadia
Thank you, Sadia. I do appreciate it. Knowing others have experienced it/are experiencing it and have not only survived but thrived is much encouragement.
I just have to work harder to acquire the knowledge and experience that will make things easier.
Your encouragement is very welcome,
L