Expensive Lesson Learned
02-21-2013, 09:38 AM
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,143
I know just how you feel. I bought a vintage machine at an antique store, not noticing that the power cord was missing. I haven't even tried to find one... and I don't even remember whether it has the foot controller. $$ down the drain, but a lesson learned.
02-21-2013, 01:37 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by redbugsullivan
I wanted a dependable, lightweight machine for carting to the homes of quilting friends. $20 for a Husqvarna Viking 310 (without foot control or power cord) appeared to fit the bill. Surely these parts were easily available and cheap. NOT!
I've yet to stitch a lick and now have over $90 invested in a machine I could have purchased for significantly less on EBay, complete (including feet and manual which have yet to be bought)! Of course, the foot controller is on back order (the cord for it costs extra) and is priced over three times what I paid for this uber basic machine. Foolish me!
Here's what I learned. Loving to quilt means it is worth lugging a nearly 40 lb. vintage machine to the house of a friend. Yes, those muscles deserve a good workout. Never assume basic parts for a modern machine are available or inexpensive. And... When that little voice inside your head tells you to not purchase something, LISTEN TO IT!!
I've yet to stitch a lick and now have over $90 invested in a machine I could have purchased for significantly less on EBay, complete (including feet and manual which have yet to be bought)! Of course, the foot controller is on back order (the cord for it costs extra) and is priced over three times what I paid for this uber basic machine. Foolish me!
Here's what I learned. Loving to quilt means it is worth lugging a nearly 40 lb. vintage machine to the house of a friend. Yes, those muscles deserve a good workout. Never assume basic parts for a modern machine are available or inexpensive. And... When that little voice inside your head tells you to not purchase something, LISTEN TO IT!!
I"ve paid $50 for an old machine that I picked up for next to nothing. BUT it wore out on my watch.
02-21-2013, 06:03 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Western Washington State
Posts: 548
Originally Posted by craftycancer
wow! If it were me I probably would have done the same thing for $20. (if it makes you feel better) 
02-22-2013, 03:52 AM
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 15,368
Sometimes finding missing parts for these machines is much more difficult than finding the machines. We have had a lot of luck dealing with machine repair places when needing parts. Good luck and maybe you will have a great machine when you are finished.
02-22-2013, 06:09 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,916
I found this out the hard way too....saw a fairly new kenmore blue machine in resale shop, no cord, foot control but had the feet...$30 not a bad deal..told the lady to save it for me...called sears, $50 for cord and foot control. LOL, could have bought brand new machine on ebay for $100 free shipping...didn't get it LOL
02-22-2013, 07:29 AM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Walker Missouri
Posts: 199
Clipping coupons
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
$90 is a good bargain for a nice sewing machine. I hope you did a search for onlines parts. The repair shop wanted $110 for a foot pedal and cord for my machine. I found it online for $34.99 at a wholesale sewing parts store. The repairman said he had to order it from the company that's why it cost more.
I have an app on my phone that scans the bar code of an item and then lists stores in the area that have the same item and the price. If the store won't match the lowest price I go buy it at the other store. This has saved me more then the cost of the phone and many times the phone bill each month. I don't have to clip coupons for JoAnns, Hobby Lobby or other stores, they are on the phone to be scanned when I need them.
I have an app on my phone that scans the bar code of an item and then lists stores in the area that have the same item and the price. If the store won't match the lowest price I go buy it at the other store. This has saved me more then the cost of the phone and many times the phone bill each month. I don't have to clip coupons for JoAnns, Hobby Lobby or other stores, they are on the phone to be scanned when I need them.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
