The horrible sewing machine saga...the end?

@Loverbear (4918)
United States
May 5, 2010 2:07pm CST
As many of you have remembered from my post on February 2nd, I had a dust up with a neighbor about the sewing machine I borrowed last Christmas. I am going to try to simplify things but it gets tangled at places. My Mom died in 2000. One of her friends asked about her Bernina sewing machine. It was a very good friend and I knew Mom would like for her to have the machine. I tried to give it to the woman but she wouldn't take it unless she paid for it. So she ended up with the Bernina. Mom also had a New Home Memory Craft 8000 sewing machine. The neighbor that I had the dust up with wanted it and bought it. (I'll call her dim wit to make things easier.) Hopefully that makes that part simple enough- the rest gets kind of tangled. I decided last Christmas (2009) to make Bill (my boyfriend) a quilt for a gift. The Memory Craft 8000 is a computerized embroidery machine, and I asked the dim wit to borrow the machine. She said sure and went out into her storage shed to get the machine. I followed and was appalled! The sewing machine was on a shelf in a non climate controlled building. It was under a ton of stuff and it took dim wit a good ten minutes to dig it out. When she finally got it off the shelf and where we could take it to the vehicle, she was exhausted so Bill ended up carrying it to the vehicle. When we got the machine into my home I promptly opened it up and plugged it in to make sure that it still worked. Fortunately it did. I used it to make the quilt and then did a couple of other items while I had the machine. Dim wit and her husband went to Medford Oregon for Christmas. When they came back she ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. So I wasn't able to think of returning the machine until the end of January. That's when things got bad. I returned the machine and dim wit decided that it wasn't the machine I sold her. I went up to explain and got the worst treatment from her that you can imagine. She also struck Bill and told him to shut up and but out it wasn't any of his business. I ended up leaving with the machine and then calling my doctor for tranquilizers (I don't take screaming and violence very well. I grew up with it and I get really stressed when it happens.) Well things settled down until April 23 when I was served with a summons for small claims court. I was being sued by dim wit and her husband for $4000! I promptly started gathering evidence. Everything from statements from the women who bought the Bernina 930's, to the registration to my car, payment statements, ebay auctions and the results, Mom's death certificate and more. I had over 20 folders when I arrived at court (I also took the machine.). In small claims court the judge tells you to go outside and that you HAVE to share the evidence with the other participant in your suit. Bill and I went out and about ten minutes later dim wit and her husband came out. I approached them with the folders I had and they looked at me like I landed from Mars. I told them that we were to share evidence. I must preface this with the couple had a huge envelope that was bulging (I thought I was sunk). The husband reached in the envelope and produced a two page typed letter...and then informed me that that was all the evidence he had. I read it and then handed it to Bill. The "evidence" was a rambling two page letter with no substantiation and had the facts totally wrong, right down to the statement that dim wit came down for the machine and then in the next paragraph it stated that the husband came down. They refused to go through my evidence. We went back in the courtroom and sat down. The judge called us up and dim with produced her "evidence". The judge read it three times and kind of shook his head. He allowed dim wit's husband to make his statement and then turned to me. I gave my statement and Bill gave his. While Bill was testifying dim wit came up behind him and hit him in the back! (Oh, and she showed up with at least four diamond rings on her wedding ring finger. There had to be about 7 carats of diamonds flashing while she was waving her hand around) I apparently gave very good testimony. The judge asked questions like how much a Bernina 930 would be worth, where I got the figure, how much the other machine was worth etc. During the time that I was trying to answer, dim wit was bellering that I was lying and that I was a thief. Then, the judge looked at me and asked me how much I would offer for the Memory Craft 8000. I told him that I had offered dim wit what she paid for the machine 9 years ago (that was $800) but after all the crap I would only offer $300. I explained that the machine was selling on ebay for between $150 and $300. I also explained that Ebay was considered the blue book for used sewing machines since the man who did the blue books had passed away in 1999. The judge looked at me and said "It looks like you added another machine to your collection". So, at this point it looks like I won the case. I won't say it for sure because I am a bit superstitious and don't want to put a whammy on it. Dim wit lift in a horrible state, yelling and screaming that I was a thief and a liar. The judge made us wait a good ten to fifteen minutes before we left so that she wouldn't do anything to us. I am still wondering where the couple came up with the amount they wanted for a used sewing machine. They stated that they called a "friend" in the business and that the friend told them that it was worth that much. Humm, it is kind of interesting what I can manage to do to get into trouble. Sorry about the length of the post, but there were a lot of people that supported me and helped me through the extreme pain I went through on the 2nd. One Lot member kept me from doing something really stupid. I just felt that I should let these people know what went on and how much I appreciated their help. [b]To all those people that supported me and guided me through the pain and suffering of this mess, a huge and heart felt THANK YOU for being there!
4 people like this
6 responses
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
5 May 10
Yeah!!! I'm glad that's taken care of! I know its hard when you thought this person was a friend, but turned out to be something else. I'm surprised that the judge didn't do something to her for hitting Bill. I'm so glad its finished - next you need to maybe consider a restraining order on them.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
5 May 10
I did not see the original posts, but I think this summed everything up pretty well. I am glad that you did your homework well, and that you were prepared to win your case. It seems as if this person did not really want the machine, she just thought she did. She sounds like a hoarder to me. It is hopeful that you are now completely done with them. They are quite old, aren't they?
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
10 May 10
Loverbear I am so happy to read that this is all over for you now and that you won the case to I just hope they lay of you now and just leave you alone Well done Girl
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 May 10
Congrats loverbear, I am happy that the judge went in your favor. :)
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
6 May 10
Hey Loverbear. I am so happy for you. I read every word. I have been with you since the first discussion you ever posted regarding the "dim wit". lol. I work with some elderly patients. Sometimes things are done out of forgetfulness or senility. It was clear after the initial discussion that as these may have been factors this couple is clearly bored and wanted to stir things up. Sad part is that it is very thing they did and it didnt go in their favor. They were trying to portray themselves as elderly victims and their tempers didnt allow them to complete their act. So many times people take the side of the eldest thinking that its impossible for them to be so shady. NOT! Congratulations Loverbear. Well deserved, dl
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
6 May 10
Oh, I've posted things that were easily as long, maybe longer. I'm patient...:o) I sympathize with you & your "dimwit." I'm had my own dealings with such obnoxious people, much to their sorrow, usually. It sounds as if you did good with all your detailed paperwork, the proof, etc. I think you & your hubby owe yourselves a nice perk after this is all over. Maybe a little mini-vacation, just out of town, maybe to a spa, just to get fresh energy, y'know? Just one question, though--she HIT him??? I gotta know--did the judge or anyone official see it?! What happened then? Did she get fined, at least, for assault? What? If I'd been judge I'd have thrown her dumb patoot into the clink! What colossal nerve! I just despise injustice! But I suppose I'm not surprised at her act; maroons such as Mr. & Mrs. Dimwit are already half-way 'round the bend, & one might want to learn a lesson: get as far from such as possible! How near to you do they live? I hope not so close you're forced to see much of them. And you might be sure to have neighbors keep an eye on your place when you can't be there. That sort likes to take revenge. I mean, if she was unhinged enough to physically attack your husband in front of a judge?? I'd not put it past her to try something! Be careful, hun! Maybe you could ask for a restraining order? Anyway, I hope everything comes out okay, & I'll pray you & your hubby are safe, & the Dimwits leave you alone! Maggiepie "Turn off your TVs. Don't watch your MSNBC, your Fox, your ABC." -- B. Obama "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" -- The Wizard of Oz