Read what some of our customers have to say.
Embroidery Cove
Santa Cruz, CA
Hi Brennan,
We are swamped – have as much work or more, than we can handle in a 40-hour week. We are 2-3 weeks out and will need more equipment soon, if this holds up. I’m almost afraid to put up a website – we just go our sign over the door yesterday, after 3 years in business.
Thanks to everyone at CES, especially Karl – we could truly not have done it without your expert assistance and deep patience.
Many thanks,
Lynn & Pat Appley
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Leslie & Kevin Vaughn
A Lasting Impression
Dear Brennan, Karl & Jim,
From the first time we met, both my husband, Kevin, and I were so taken back by the wealth of information and genuine kindness you provided us as prospective buyers. We felt at ease and grateful to have found someone who could offer us insight into the technology as well as comfort in the contemplation of purchasing a product. There was absolutely no pressure from your end or apprehension on our end--unlike other representatives we encountered where we felt similar to a deer caught in the crosshairs. We thoroughly investigated the direct-to-garment printers and it came down to the GT-541 and the Sawgrass Direct Advantage Printer 1.5, a portable model. Having had the opportunity to work with our Roseville associate, Jeff Adams, and using his GT-541 over the previous year we knew the quality, craftmanship and durability of the machine. When we compared the two side-by-side with our own artwork, the Sawgrass colors just didn't hold up after washing like the GT-541 did. Bottomline, did we want a work-horse machine that was fast and dependable or did we want something transportable that was slower and relatively new to the market? We knew we could count on the GT-541 and we've never looked back.
The service that you have consistently and continually provided us is icing on the cake! Brennan and Karl answered all of our questions, direct or hypothetical, and spent hours with us at our initial visit and well over an afternoon with us the second time around. We walked away with more knowledge and confidence in our ability as printers knowing that we would have a supportive team behind us. Jim walked us through the initial installation/orientation and made what seemed to us, newbees, as an overwhelming amount of new information to learn (a common experience with the purchase of any new gizmo), effortless and straightforward so that we had minimal questions. And then there was the getting past not wanting to "bother" you with hand-holding questions that seemed daunting for us initially, from the "I forgot how to do this" to the "what do you suggest" questions--the three of you have always been there for us, no matter what day of the week or time of day. We leave a message if you're not there and mere minutes pass and we have a return phone call. And no matter what our question is or when we call, we always are comforted with a smile and willingness to help on the other end. (Yes, we can hear the "smile" in your voices and it's very reassuring.)
I want to share with your clients and prospective customers just how accommodating you are...let's just call it "beyond the call of duty!"
Just last month, I found myself suddenly low on blue ink and completely out of black. Our client was leaving for West Africa and taking 100+ t-shirts with her. I knew my choice was to drop what I was doing and make the two hour drive to Sacramento that day or miss my deadline the next evening. I had been up all night working on artwork (which sometimes I do, call me crazy) and I just didn't feel safe making a 4-hour round trip drive. The alternative was to have CES overnight the ink to me but it was uncertain if there would be enough time to make my deadline. The cost of having a courier drive it down to me was the same as the cost of the ink...and that wasn't an option. I had just hung up the phone with Brennan saying I'd think over how I was going to proceed and call him back. Perhaps with a couple hours of sleep under my belt I'd be safer making the long drive. As I laid down on my couch, I literally said to myself "there's got to be a guardian angel of ink delivery to answer my prayers and come to my rescue" and I tried to relax and just let it go for a few minutes. (When you've been up all night and you have a full day of printing ahead of you, it's hard to think straight...the pressure is really on.) I think maybe ten minutes, if that, passed when the telephone rang. It was Jim calling to ask if he could help out by bringing the ink with him first thing the next morning since he was going to be in my general vicinity. I couldn't believe my ears! It brought tears to my eyes--my own guardian angel of ink delivery--talk about manifesting your desires! I was so grateful to be able to meet up with Jim early the following morning--hours before an overnight shipment would've reached me! I made a 30-minute drive over the hills into the next valley and there he was, all smiles and holding my ink.
And to top that off, I have never installed a new ink cartridge before. It's kinda tricky to clean all those spots and I was again in a place of wanting my hand held. Jim called me back from his cell phone when he was free, and walked me through the entire process. I must've called back nearly a dozen times with "I'm sorry could you run that past me again" concerns or questions during the cleaning (the poor guy), and to his credit he was as kind and considerate on every single call as he was on the first one. He was confidant that I could do it and if I had problems he was totally and completely there for me. And I did it! Thanks to you, Jim! Our client loved the shirts and received them in plenty of time for her departure.
We are so appreciative of your kindness and generosity. We truly feel blessed to know you and to be a part of your CES family. We can only hope to achieve the level of customer service that you demonstrate on a regular basis. Thank you so much for everything you do. Feel free to give out our name and number if we can ever be of service for you.
I look forward to meeting our extended CES family at your open house. Maybe next time Kevin will be able to come along with me.
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Syb, D n S Enterprises
Dear Brennan,
I just wanted to tell you HOW VERY MUCH I appreciated Karl taking time out of his busy schedule to check out my machine. Every time I work with him I learn so much more, he has such a wealth of knowledge. Hopefully next year I'll have the time to visit CES and add to what he has already taught me. I can't wait until I have the level of skill (if I every will) that he has with embroidery.
Thank you again to you and your staff.
Syb
D n S Enterprises, Live Oak, CA
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Paula Hill, Phancy Stitches
Dear Brennan,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the wonderful help you have given me. From my first visit to CES I felt as if I had just been made a part of a family. I did a lot of research into the machines available and was very apprehensive about whether I could do it. My questions were answered in such a way that, I felt as if I were sitting and having a chat with an old friend. You made the decision to make the jump to a commercial machine very painless and very rewarding. Once the decision was made to make the jump the next question was easy, where to spend my money. The only answer was Commercial Embroidery Systems. I want a company that would offer support. When Karl arrived to set up the machine he too has the ability to make you feel as if you are spending an afternoon with a long time friend. Everyone I have dealt with at CES is just another friend you didn't know you had. Commercial Embroidery Systems has exceeded the expectation of Customer Service. I look forward to many years of business and friendship.
Sincerely,
Paula Hill
Phancy Stitches
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Kathleen Patrick, Auburn, CA
To Whom It May Concern:
About a year and a half ago I purchased a BES1216AC, unfortunately from a dealer other than CES. I thought I was getting a really good deal. I had no experience with commercial embroidery machines, but had researched the various models and knew I wanted a Brother.
The machine arrived on a cold blustering winter day, strapped onto a flatbed truck, threads flapping in the wind, and unprotected from the misty weather. The two guys who delivered it had no clue of how to even turn it on. They deposited it in my sewing room with a large box of hoops, etc., and quickly departed, leaving me to dry off the damp machine and wonder how in the world I would ever learn to use it. I spend the next several weeks reading the manuals, trying to get to know the machine and becoming increasingly frustrated with thread breaks and other malfunctions. After about 2 months I was finally able to get an appointment with a technician, who was to spend two full days with me, adjusting the machine and instructing me on the how to use it. He actually spent less than one full day, and when he left, the machine would still not sew a single design without multiple thread breaks. I drove the tech support people crazy calling continuously with problems, none of which they were able to solve over the phone. If the machine had been smaller and less expensive, I would have pitched it out the window. Naturally, I thought I was the problem, and I'm sure the tech support people did too.Finally, I found Commercial Embroidery Systems, Karl came out to assess the problem. He found that literally every adjustment was off, and the problem was not me or the machine, but the failure of the original technician to properly adjust nearly everything. Carl spent hours checking every part of the machine, and when he left, it did what it was supposed to do; run perfectly.
Shortly after finally getting my machine to work, I moved, and due to having to remodel the new house, had no immediate place to put the machine. I talked to Brennan and he offered to keep my machine until I had a place to put it'I did have visitation rights. When my shop was finally ready, Karl not only delivered the machine in an enclosed trailer, but stayed long enough to be sure it was properly adjusted and ran smoothly. As I am writing this letter my BES 1216 is happily humming in the background. I am very grateful for having found Brennan and Karl, who in spite of the fact that I didn't purchase the machine from them, have gone far above and beyond their responsibilities to assist me with the operation of my machine and the organization of my business. The moral of my story is that a good deal is not always the best deal. I would highly recommend CES to anyone contemplating the purchase of a commercial embroidery machine, or even those who already have a machine and need help with maintenance and/or technical expertise.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Patrick
Auburn, CA
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Kristie L. Greiss, Designer Stitches
To Whom it may concern;
I have owned my commercial embroidery machine purchased from CES since March of 2003 and am now writing this letter to let other's interested in doing the same, for themselves know what type of experiences I have had with this company.
Although my business is new, my research into not only purchasing a machine but become an entrepreneur in the form of a custom embroiderer spans for over eleven months. Doing a business and marketing plan for yourself and researching what expenses (such as a machine and materials) are vital to determining your success.
When it came time to decide which machine to buy (as I can attest, there are many of varying price ranges) I attended industry trade shows and spoke with representatives from just about every company that had even a few people that would give them a recommendation. On machine alone, I narrowed my choices down to three choices and to be honest, although it was one of the three, Brother was not my first choice. At that point, I took the time to try to establish a relationship with the individuals who I would deal with when the inevitable problem would arise. I immediately eliminated one of the companies, and Brennan Toohey and Karl Berky were quickly convincing me that they meant what they said and were good individuals to work with.
After much contemplation, I decided to buy a Brother machine from CES last March. Because I am so new to this industry, more than just a few problems did arise because of my own error and I have ALWAYS had a response to my phone calls immediately, and I do not use the word immediately loosely. I have called on weekends and evenings for technical help and Karl has somehow been available and patient. In addition to the problems with my machine that I have created myself there was an administrative or financial difference of opinion of a small manner. I only mention this because of the way that it was handled. Brennan gave me the time to listen to what I had to say about the situation and responded in a fair and timely way. To me, these are the type of individuals that you make a choice to continue to do business with.
After five short months of owning my single head machine, I am doing well and realizing that the future may bring the need to buy a larger machine sooner than I had expected. I will not hesitate to put CES at the top of my list when making this consideration. They have high quality merchandise backed up by excellent customer service that I have yet to see equaled by any other commercial embroidery machine distributor locally or otherwise.
Because CES has gone out of their way to help me to be successful, I will extend my time to those interested in doing business with them by welcoming any of you who may read this letter and wish to have additional information to call my office at the below listed number.
Sincerely,
Kristie L. Greiss
Designer Stitches, Loomis, CA
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Virginia Cook, A Stitch in Time
Dear Brennan, etal.
I want to tell you how wonderful it is to be treated so special by everyone in your embroidery Dept.
There aren't enough adjectives to describe how great you guys are.
From the first time I entered your store, you have given me the red carpet treatment. After I made the decision to purchase my machine, your entire staff gave me the support I've needed to learn from 'scratch' how to add another dimension to my thriving little business.
Thank goodness for Karl. Anytime I get stuck with 'ERROR MESSAGES,' (which I caused myself), or any other problem regarding my machine he talks me through it so that I can get back on track.
I looked at embroidery machines for 3 years before I saw the machine in your store and had not been impressed with what I had seen or how I was treated. I had just about abandoned the whole embroidery idea, but when I wandered into your store and was given a demonstration, I knew instantly I had to have it.
I have been self-employed for many years, but I've never been treated better, or had a better support team in any business venture I've had. Keep up the good work.
Your CES Group is great!
Thanks for everything.
Sincerely,
Virginia Cook
A Stitch in Time, Carmichael, CA
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Katherine Coulter, KEC Monograms
Dear Brennan, Ryan and Karl,
I just wanted to thank you for all the help and support you have given me during these first months of my new business. I would never have been able to make it to this point without all of you.
When I was researching the machines, I remember thinking that if you did even 1/3 of what you promised, CES was light years ahead of any of the other distributors I'd talked to. I couldn't imagine you would do everything you said you would. It had to be a sales pitch!
Well, you've done everything you said you would and more. It has extended to resources for all aspects of my business. I truly don't think I would have been able to be so successful so quickly without you guys. I'm thrilled with my embroidery machine - Thank God for the metal parts.
You Guys are Fantastic!
Many Thanks,
Katherine Coulter
KEC Monograms
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Ellen McMahon, Purely Patterns Embroidery
It has been a year since I walked into CES and started on my new venture that has changed my life. Little did I know how fantastic the embroidery industry is and I think my experience has been so remarkable because of CES.
Being new to this industry, I realized that the only way I was going to be successful and enjoy this business was to find a machine that was easy to learn and to have industry support. Brennan and Karl, you and everyone at CES surpassed my service expectations!!!!! Your positive attitudes, expertise and availability at all times of the day are remarkable and priceless in this day and age. Even after a year, you make me feel very comfortable calling and asking questions about the machine, software or anything having to do with embroidery.
The embroidery machine has been a dream to work with. The machine runs 8 hours a day and all I do is keep it cleaned and oiled! If I ever close my business, I won't give up my embroidery machine!
Please feel free to use me for a reference to any potential buyers that won't mind me talking their ear off about the virtues of CES and your products!
Brennan, Karl and everyone at CES, thank you all so much for making the first year of Purely Pattern Embroidery a success.
Sincerely,
Ellen McMahon
Purely Patterns Embroidery, Pleasanton, CA
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Timothy J. Smith, Accurate
Dear Brennan,
I wanted to send a short note of thanks to yourself and staff who have assisted us so professionally. Both of the embroidery machines that we have purchased have been working wonderfully. When we have had any questions your staff has responded quickly. Karl even raced down to the Bay Area to assist with a minor tension adjustment. I can clearly see your team provides the "Nordstrom" quality of service.
The feeling that I'm left with is that you're just as concerned about my business success as I am. Thank you for establishing that feeling and your continual support of your product and our success.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Smith
Accurate, Pleasanton, CA
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Ellen McMahon, Purely Patterns Embroidery
Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much for sending this out to me so quickly. Unfortunately, I didn't need it. With the help of your dad, he walked me through what I was doing wrong on the computer, and then I was able to read it.
CES is quite the company. Your service is incredible! I will be a customer for life.
Ellen McMahon
Purely Patterns Embroidery, Pleasanton, CA
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Dora Robinson, Embroidesigns
Hi Brennan,
Just thought I'd take a moment to say I'm SO HAPPY!
With all the other woes, once I'm up and sewing, I'm feeling great! I ran 300 hats with 11,000 stitches and 6 colors and even mixed RA, Coats and Madeira threads and get this: Saturday I ran for 15 hours (whew, am I tired!) and had maybe 8-10 thread breaks, each on a different head and each on a different color.
Sunday, we ran 5 hours, ZERO thread breaks! ( We had to stop working and go play you know. Went up past Bear Valley, very nice, little bit of new snow. Gotta make time to play. ;-) )
Monday, we ran 6-7 hours, maybe three thread breaks. I only changed three needles as I checked several and there were no burs. After the job, I changed out several as I've done a lot of work with the red, white and black and hadn't changed any needles. Mind you Sat, Sun, Mon were all on that same job!
Yes, I'm faithfully oiling every four hours at the hook. I do need to clean the screen this evening. I'd forgotten and today looked down through the machine while working and it's awful!
Take care,
Dora Robinson
Embroidesigns, Modesto, CA
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Kelly Brown, LOGOVISIONS
Dear CES,
Thank you for your dedication the success of new businesses like mine. As you know I started my home based embroidery business after many years working in production embroidery shops. My decision to purchase the industrial embroidery machine was based on the professional customer service I received from all of the staff at CES, the excellent sewing performance and dependability of the embroidery machines. I give special thanks to Brennan Toohey who personalized my machine order based on my start-up and financial needs. Brennan helped me through the entire leasing process making my major purchase very pleasant. Ryan is always so nice answering all my questions and also put together my start-up supplies, which made it possible to begin embroidering my first job within hours of the installation. Many thanks to Karl Berky who personally delivered and setup my 12 Needle 6 Head Embroidery Machine after normal business hours to meet my needs. Karl has gone beyond any service technician's duty to answer all of my technical questions.
With years of experience in the embroidery industry I really appreciate the quality service and supplies CES has to offer. I would be honored to recommend CES to customers interested in the purchase of quality embroidery equipment and superior embroidery supplies.
Sincerely,
Kelly Brown
LOGOVISIONS, Placerville, CA
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Mark & Michelle Woodard, Wild West Graphics
To Commercial Embroidery Systems:
We want to express our sincere gratitude to the crew at C.E.S. Your diligent attention to service made it possible for us to meet an extremely tight expansion schedule, during a very busy embroidery season!
We especially want to thank Brennan Toohey and Karl Berky. Their knowledge and expertise, combined with service that goes far beyond what we had expected, makes them the best in their profession. Their excellent service, and training of our staff on our new Embroidery equipment has greatly eased our company's growing pains.
Sincerely,
Mark & Michelle Woodard
Wild West Graphics, Roseville, CA
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Jean Obad, Diamond Stitch Embroidery
Dear Brennan:
I hope this finds you healthy and prosperous. I wanted to write you a quick note regarding my new business venture with my embroidery machine one-head. As you know, I have been up and running since March 1 and I have to tell you that since the day the machine was delivered I feel that I am about six months ahead in my new business because of your technician, Karl Berkey.
From the day he delivered and set up the machine and then stayed for a one day orientation, the information Karl imparted, not just on the mechanics of the machine but the mechanics of the embroidery business have been invaluable to me. Karl knows the process it takes to get an embroidery job done but, more importantly, he possesses the skill to impart that knowledge to a novice like myself. Because of my temporary situation of running my business in the evenings and on weekends, I have called Karl in the evening at 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. or early in the morning at 7:00 or 7:30 and he has walked me through any problems or given me suggestions for change.
All in all, I have to say that with your sales to me of the embroidery machine which I am totally satisfied with and your technician, Karl Berky, I feel extremely fortunate that I met you and purchased my machine from CES. I am soon in the market for a four head and feel that one of the selling points for me will be service and I know I can get it with CES.
Best wishes for continued success,
Jean Obad
Diamond Stitch Embroidery, Merced, CA
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Richard Mitchell, Design Solutions
We wanted to send along our thanks for your help with our purchase of the Brother. We also feel our purchasing process might help someone else so we have included that in this letter.
As you know, Design Solutions is a full service graphic design studio with a portion of our company dedicated to servicing our clients with logoed embroidery goods. We've been very interested in direct garment printing since the Brother was introduced. We were picking up supplies and overheard Karl giving another client a demo. It seemed so simple and the result was outstanding.
Seeing how easily Karl produced such a great result has us in for our own demo several days later. Karl did a very thorough demo with us. Additionally, we prepared several digital files of our own to run as test prints. These ranged from simple text graphics to photos with a wide range of colors from creams to several ranges of darker colors. We were easily able to take our Macintosh Adobe Illustrator graphics and import them into your Corel Draw program and quickly produce shirts with fantastic results.
We printed on white, hot pink, serene green, ash, royal blue, texas orange and denim shirts, and a cotton twill bag. We found the color to be very true, bright and clean without any color manipulation, small type reproduced great and we were very satisfied with the wash ability.
Before we made our final purchase, we spent hours and hours researching the digital garment printing industry, including extensively researching competitive machines. One of our main concerns was the lack of white ink and cost of ink with the Brother.
We considered the Fast T-jet, the TextJet, the DTG and several others. Our research showed us the following:
Fast T-jet: We made several attempts to find a dealer in Northern California (Screen Printing Products) that was interesting in even talking to us. We resorted in contacting International Machine Group (IMG) in Anaheim. We had several discussions via phone and they offered to send us some samples on white shirts and also white ink on black shirts. Additionally, we sent them the same digital files that we had tested on the Brother. We were super excited about this prospect because the white ink on black shirts is something we are very interested in. Our sales rep called and said the shirts looked "fantastic". However, we were so disappointed when our package arrived. On the sample black ink shirt, the ink didn't cover the shirt enough (too much of the shirt was showing through). IMG said perhaps the shirts hadn't been pre-treated correctly. The blacks in the sample IMG shirt that they produce in-house as a sales tool looked very washed out. Our shirt with our files looked horrible, the entire thing looked like a very old shirt that had been washed many many times. Needless to say, we were totally disappointed. We talked again with them and they were surprised that we questioned the quality of the output. They had us resend artwork and tried several times on their end to get a better result. We were promised several times that a package was headed to us, but we never received any additional follow up.
Additionally, we spent many hours reading what current users were experiencing: difficulty with machine setup and maintenance
pre-treatment issues and getting a good white seemed to be a very common problem,
lots of down time due to heads clogging
very large learning curve to learn the special Fast Artist software
wash ability of the white ink,
the need to be a "power user" to get all the details ,
can't let the machine sit without use,
Ultimately we decided to purchase the Brother because it is super easy to produce product,
colors were very close to what we expect
we realized that we could produce dark colors shirts with white type by using heat transfers,
machine maintenance was very minimal
we could use our existing software knowledge to produce artwork and then just hit print
Although the ink cost is higher for the Brother, the amount of ink used per garment is more accurately measured than the numbers given by the competitors. Competitor machine numbers don't take into account the ink they seem to waste in their cleaning processes so their heads don't clog. Where as the Brother doesn't use the same process.
Our biggest challenge is the re-education process of the consumer. They can now have unlimited color instead of being limited to one or two colors due to budget concerns.
Thanks again,
Richard Mitchell
Design Solutions, Napa, CA
Contact CES today for more information
COMMERCIAL EMBROIDERY SYSTEMS
2417 Cormorant Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
Sacramento: (916) 920-4288
Fax: (916) 920-9460
