Singer 15 vs Pfaff 30/31

Friday, May 28, 2010
There were a few comments about my Pfaff ad and the sewing machine that was pictured in that ad. 

Here is the full size picture of the sewing machine in the advertisement, click to enlarge.


Below is my Singer 15. I have flipped the image for easier comparison. Click to enlarge.




I have searched the internet and found the Pfaff models mentioned. Here is a Pfaff 31.


Here is a Pfaff 30





Both Pfaff machines are black, neither has the same shape head as a Singer 15.  Pfaff's do not have triplet decals as the Singer 15's pictured, nor do the Pfaff's have the Celtic scrollwork on the faceplate, back plate, or the front stitch plate.  

All Singer 15's have their tension knobs on the side of the faceplate.  Both have the identical placement of the spool pins.  Please check the thread takeup arms, the head screws, and bobbin winders that show over the back of the head.

The only difference between my machine and the one in the ad is that the Singer 15 in the ad has had the word "Singer" erased, like this:

  

Pfaff used a Singer 15 in the picture on the front of their mail-out, on the back of the postcard the wording is "bring in your old Pfaff". I do consider this to be a misleading and deceptive advertisement. 



9 comments:

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

You have sharp eyes, Lori. I don't know enough about the old machines to tell the difference.

Jay in Nebraska said...

So...here is my idea, not that I need a new machine, but I think I will take my old Singer 15, one that I just picked up, into the Pfaff dealer, with your Post, and see what they will give me, since they clearly are showing a Singer 15 machine. I doubt that they would do it, but it would be interesting to see if my local dealer would be honest about the whole ad??

Henrietta said...

Ah JaY! Got your big wooden spoon out and stirring vigorously huh? You GO dude!

This is actually illegal, it is a classic bait and switch, although if this is a national campaign it is quite possible the local dealer knows nothing about it.

Unfortunately it does reflect poorly on the local dealer, giving the impression of sharp (as in dishonest) business practice.

Mary-Kay said...

You better put out an APB. Very good detective work, you'd do the force proud.

Stephanie D said...

Do you suppose they couldn't find an un-copyrighted picture to use in their ad, and just figured any old machind picture would do?

Robyn said...

I'm sure this ad was created for the Pfaff company by an outside source.. And maybe it's just me but who cares??

Henrietta said...

People who care are the same people who believe that laws are meant to be obeyed. People who don't heed the laws of the land are called criminals.

False advertising is any type of advertising that deceives consumers. Even advertising that only has the potential to be misunderstood by consumers may be construed as false advertising.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has regulatory power to step in and end any potentially misleading or deceptive claims. They have an online reporting tool, very quick and easy to use.

JuJu said...

Hey Lori, if Jay ends up in jail ... are you going to bail him out? LOLOL

Henrietta said...

Jay wouldn't end up in jail, he would be the victim of the bait and switch scam.
If Jay ever did end up in jail I would bail him out in a New York minute, Jay is a good folks kind of guy.