I was talking to a friend the other night and the subject of treadle machines came up. She said she once had one. 25 years ago she bought one at an auction and took it to a local "repair shop" for fixin. She said she didn't hear from the shop after a few weeks so she dropped by with her drop off ticket in hand. They looked for it and could not find it. The worker then contacted the owner who told her that an Amish woman came in the shop and he SOLD HER MACHINE TO THEM FOR $300.00. He would not give her the money and she said she did not have the nerve then that she does today so she did nothing. She still has the attachments somewhere in the house. I told her to find them I would try to sell them for her. Get something out of it. I am still shaking my head over that one. I would have shot his windows out!!!!

I would Of had the police in there with me

One shop I would never go back to she should have filed a report!!

That is crazy - and he's in business?? I'd have had him in court big time.
Instead of selling her attachments, is she interested in replacing the machine? There are lots available and she probably could get the same model and treadle. Esp. if it was a Singer.
I'd suggest to her to check out the Vintage Machine Shop thread on here, and / or chat with Lostn51

That is just horrifying!

I don't know if he is still in business or not. She talked like he was. I was too dumb struck to do any questioning other then to say over and over, "HE WHAT!!!"

Not much anybody can do after 25 years but wow, I dont' think I'd ever let anybody get away with that. Your poor friend.

Just curious, did they take any money from her in advance for the repair? And did they justify the sale, such as "goods left after X days are considered abandoned?"

WOW that is crazy. I would have thrown a fit. Have you ever seen Hard Core Pawn? LOL* My Husband loves that show...you should see the fools people make of themselves over much less an incident than hers. I feel for your friend and too bad that it was so long ago...I'm sure she could get a group of us quilting gals up there now to tell him what for. ;)

Om my. I would not have been nice about that. If this just happened we could go and picket his shop. LOL. "illegally selling my baby". So sorry it happened but glad it was long ago so she has moved on. I would want to look him up and smack him. LOL

I would have cried so hard that they would call the police just to get me out of there. :wink: