CITY SERVICE SEWING MACHINES

I have gone there twice. It went very well. It is a very mom and pop kind of place. His workshop is in a building behind his house. He is very down to earth, very reasonably priced, very responsible in that he won't try to sell you that a lot of stuff is broken and then sell you repairs for that. I have a semi-vintage sewing machine and he likes and understands. He also told me that he takes care of the sewing machines for the University of Texas, for like the costume shop in their Drama Department. It is pretty cool. It is best to call him before you go to make sure he is going to be there and not be down at the university. He makes out-calls. He didn't come out to do my sewing machine but he does do sometimes. I am very happy with them. I have been to other places that have cost more. The quality is very good. The second time I took it there I needed a repair on the bobbin winder and I am not sure that it was completely fixed or that maybe I did something else wrong to it so in my mind Jerry is still out on that one. The first time that I took my sewing machine, it was perfect. It was like new when I got it back. He is very nice and responsible. They have a shop cat also and I like that although it may not turn everybody's cranks. He is very punctual. He says it will be done in 2 weeks and it is done in two weeks which is great. They do the job and do it when they say they will and for how much they say they will and don't fool around with you. They are very professional.

The machine was a gift from a friend, who'd inherited it from her mom. A Model 15-91 Singer. The original wiring was brittle, cracked, and frayed, so I was afraid to use it. A DIY friend had tried already to rewire it for me, but got it wrong and finally gave up. So not only did owner Maurice Benites (Bee Nee' Tez) get the machine in excellent running order, but he also had to undo what my friend had done. A word of advice: Mr.Benites sometimes makes "house calls" to commercial sewing machine owners, so you should call before taking a machine to him, as the shop may be temporarily closed. Also, he has plenty of work, so you may have to wait a while to get your machine repair done, I am told, although I got lucky and only waited 3 business days to get my machine back. I'm taking my used, non-computerized Bernina to him next. Thank you Mr. Benites!

In March had work done by another company, but by August the machine wasn't working. He's a little hard to get in touch with - had to leave a message the first time, but he was prompt in returning the call. He asked we call first to make sure he was there before dropping off the machine. When my husband dropped it off he was told it would take 2 weeks which was longer than I had hoped, but at least I knew going in. He finished in 10 days. My machine is quite old and in a cabinet. I don't sew a lot, but have had it worked on over the last 20 years. He said if all the old oil isn't drained, it becomes like varnish so he drained all the old oil before adding any new. He thought the belt was the wrong one for the machine and replaced it. Have had it back for not quite two weeks and have sewn several items. It seems to be working great. So far very pleased.