Following serial numbers onwards. The adjustment manual for the machines can be downloaded free of charge from the. Adjusting the stitch counter for the bobbin thread control.31. The machine is to be disposed of according to the locally valid pollution control regula-ti.
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Hello everyone,I bought what I thought was a used genuine Pfaff 335 from a reseller based in Marseille, France, only to figure out months later that the machine was actually a typical TW3-P335 made to look like a Pfaff: fake serial number plate, fake Pfaff lettering. Looking closely, one can even read the word 'Typical' on a plastic cover, which obviously couldn't be completely erased.I am about to confront the seller and try to obtain compensation, but before I do so I'd like to pick the brains of the esteemed members of this forum:1) is there a way to identify beyond doubt a genuine Pfaff sewing machine? The serial number plate on mine is a fake one, so it would have to be something that can't be altered, like a marking on the machine's body. Pfaff boasts they put a counterfeit-proof sticker on their machines, but as you could expect there is no such sticker on mine.2) reciprocally, is there a way to identify beyond doubt a Typical sewing machine?
The plastic cover bearing the erased 'Typical' word can be easily removed, so again I was hoping for something more solid, like an engraving on the machine body, or a particular feature that would be Typical's signature3) How good (or bad) exactly are Typical sewing machines? At first I thought they were just low quality 'copycats', but having searched the forums on this website, it seems they are pretty decent.
That won't change anything to the fact I've been cheated on badly, but at least I'll know the extent of the scam.I'm not sure whether there are French members on this site, but if you happen to be in France and looking at buying a professional sewing machine for a reseller in Marseille, feel free to send me a PM.Cheers,Vanessa. Did you buy it as new or secondhand, if secondand the retailer may not be aware or responsible for the forgery, they may have just brought in good faith, but still responsible i guessHave you checked the serial number with PfaffImages may help identifying itSorry to hear the bad news, it must be a great disappointment to have found out after the happiness of first acquiring itI bought it as as second hand, however the retailer also runs a repair shop, so I think it is safe to assume he's had enough sewing machines in his hands to tell one brand from another. And as you rightly point out, under French law at least, he is responsible.The serial number format does not match Pfaff's for the 335, so I didn't even care to call them. I'll post pictures in a forthcoming message. Here you go.The first picture is actually the plastic cover on the left of the machine. I had trouble finding the right angle, but if you look closely you'll see the letters 'ICAL'. The picture doesn't show the other letters, but looking closely at the cover one can easily read 'Typical'.
The second picture is the serial number plate, which I figure is Typical's original plate: part of the model name was erased (probably the letters 'PW3'), and 'PFAFF' was added in big red letters just above. You can even see that the paint on the machine body was scratched when the plate was removed. It may look plain to see, but I can assure you that unless all those details are pointed out to you, they're hard to spot. Other than that, as you can see from the two remaining pictures, the machine resembles a LOT the actual Pfaff 335.It even came with a user manual which I found out to be for the Typical clone (it's available online), with the pages showing the actual brand name removed.
Pretty elaborate, isn't it?I read somewhere that Pfaff has their sewing machine made in China, but whether they are made in the same factory as the other brands (as assumed by Constabulary) remains uncertain to me. If anyone can substantiate that hypothesis, I'd be interested.We went to the police earlier today: they suggested that we confront the reseller and file a complaint if he refuses to admit and compensate us. I'm in the process of gathering evidence, hoping it will be compelling enough that the guy has no choice but to acknowledge the machine is a fake, and compensate me.Falling victim to such a fraud is definitely not the best way to start your own leatherwork business. Pfaff no longer produces these machines in Germany - if that matters.
So quality wise I doubt there is a big difference between the 'Names' ( I do not say manufactures).From what I read online PFAFF are now owned by SVP Worldwide, a Kohlberg Holding company with their machines now being made in Asian countries. Quality will depend I guess on the actual manufacturer, only time will tell. However the cost between a PFFAF badged and others I would suspect to be fairly substantial (machine/parts/accessories).kgg.
Thanks to everyone for their help. The parts pictures showing the engravings were particularly helpful!!!!
Even though they just serve to confirm my machine is definitely not a genuine Pfaff. I don't know about the countries you live in, but it seems forged professional sewing machines are commonplace on classified ads website. Too bad I had to learn it the hard way.Anyway Friday should bring answers, since this is when we're going to the store and confront the owner. As you can imagine my boyfriend is just as pissed as I am, so we're in for some tense moments. I will keep you posted! If you are going Friday, and if you are still up and about this Wednesday evening.Before you go, I might be able to give you a few things to do / say, which may help you get your money back ( only take cash ).Depends on how good your, or your boyfriend's French ( spoken, don't worry for now about written ) is, as to what the advice will be.IME when I ask that.most Brits says theirs is good, usually turns out to be far from the case.so be honest.
That's to bad it's misrepresented, but does it do what you need it to do?The OP wanted and bought what she thought was a genuine PFAFF. Otherwise she would probably have bought a Clone for probably less money. I hope this comes a good resolution. Makes us all aware of what to look for in general when purchasing a machine, new or used.
The Clone casing is a pretty good exterior representation of the original machine which is probably made for several different Clone suppliers under different badges.kgg. If you are going Friday, and if you are still up and about this Wednesday evening.Before you go, I might be able to give you a few things to do / say, which may help you get your money back ( only take cash ).Depends on how good your, or your boyfriend's French ( spoken, don't worry for now about written ) is, as to what the advice will be.IME when I ask that.most Brits says theirs is good, usually turns out to be far from the case.so be honest. A quick update: I explained my problem on a French-language forum (cuir-creation, for you French speakers out there), and got contacted by a very helpful and knowledegeable gentleman who confirmed my machine is a fake, selling for approximately 30% less under its original brand. I provided him with a link to my seller's online store on 'Le Bon Coin' (kind of a French version of Craig's List), and guess what? It didn't take him long to spot a picture of a fake Durkopp Adler splitter.
DA doesn't even make splitters, according to him.Which goes to show the guy is probably a 'professional' crook, and will make my case a more compelling one: the police will probably treat the case more diligently if they realize he is a 'chain-forger'. I brought on EBay a pen that has a video recorder built into it and is not at all obvious, it cost about £20, it might be worth finding something similar to have on you when you visit and get a record of all that was discussed in case you get no satisfaction and need to go further to courtClipped onto your handbag or boy friends top pocket you can have clear pictures and soundps did you pay be credit card in which case you could do a chargeback under not as describedEdited August 1, 2019 by chrisash.
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