With all the talk about the Singer Featherweight I have been checking them out on Ebay and must say that now I would like to have one when I can save enough money to bid on one.

I was wondering why the white ones are higher bid/sell priced. Were they fewer made? Are they just from the UK?

On Ebay what is a good fair price for a black FW that appears to be in good condition since I see some you can buy instead of bidding on. I have never used Ebay before and am somewhat leery.

Do most people buy one made the same year as their birth or just a good machine?

I'm watching three on ebay but have a feeling they will be too high for me. The only 1950 I found was too rough. I'm looking for one that has all the decals in good shape and the scrollwork isn't too worn. Just want a pretty one for $10. LOL

If you are using Ebay just make sure the seller has good feedback and lots of sales. Use PayPal and make sure they put insurance on whatever you buy. I have gotten lots of things off there with no problem. Only one person tried to take me!

there aren't as many white ones on the market so they sell for more.

the most expensive one to buy is the 222 which has a free arm they sell for around $600-$800.

I'd suggest watching several items to see how the bidding goes and about where the price ends up. Then decide how much you're willing to spend and go from there. As others have said, check the seller ratings and use Pay Pal. I've always had good results from ebay. That's where I got my FW as well as quite a lot of quilting items. Just don't get caught up in a bidding war. Instead of putting in my bid right at the start, I usually watch an item and wait till near the end, in the last hours or minutes if possible. Putting in early bids tends to drive the price up. I put in my absolute maximum at the last minute. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't. As you may have noticed, there are quite a few featherweights on ebay so another will come along if you miss out on the first one or two.

And if there isn't a pic of the bobbin case, ask for one! I really want a tan one. But those go for even more than the white. I paid $240 for mine on Ebay. That was more than I wanted to spend, but I really liked the one I got. It is a 1936 and just on the cusp of many changes. Now I need a couple more in different age groups. Ha!

If you decide to buy a white FW make sure that the clips that hold the flip up bed aren't rusted or it will fall off (The voice of experience talking), make sure that it has a bobbin case.
Make sure that your sell knows how to pack a sewing machine so that it arrives in the same condition that it left.
I have sold several Featherweights and I pack them very well. The following link is how I learned to pack one properly. The only complaint my customers have is that it takes a while to get it free of the packing materials. :-D


http://www.sew2go.com/fwpacking.htm

Sharon W.