Trading in a machine
 

I was wondering if it's worth it to try to trade in a sewing machine when you buy a new one. Let's say "my Janome is worth $100 on ebay" kind of scenario. Would they give me $20 towards a new machine or more?

I'm still light-years away from actually being able to buy a new machine, but I'm curious how that works.

I think it depends on the dealer you buy from. If that was all I was going to get for a machine that works, I would keep it as a back up.

If you don't like the trade in value and you know you could get more on Ebay or Craigslist you should keep it and list it on one of those sites. My dealer gave me such a great deal on my new machine that he didn't want my old Singer. I sold it on Craigslist for $50.00 so I was happy.

My LQS owner found a buyer for mine.

If you are only going to get $20, I would keep it. You never know when your main machine will wind up in the shop, or you want to sew with a friend.
As far as the actual trade in value, it will depend on the dealer. My dealer periodically runs a special where they will pay a minimum for any machine. See if you can get on your dealer's mailing list.

Agree with others ... it will depend on the dealer and what specials he might be running at the time. Sometimes my dealer will run a "$500 off this machine when you trade in any machine" or similar. My dealer will usually run these specials for the high-end machines only. Which brings up the other thing ... many times the dealer will base the price he is willing to give you for your machine, against the price of the new machine you are willing to purchase. The more $$ you spend, the more $$ you will get for your machine.

When considering if the dealer price is not equal to what you think you can get on E-Bay or Craigs - factor in the cost of E-Bay, boxing, and scariness of Craigslist with strangers coming to your house - SOOO much more convenient to drop the machine off at the dealer and be done with it.

If the machine is working.....and you don't have a back up, I would keep it...when your baby is sick and in the hospital, that back up machine is worth its weight in gold.....I also sometimes set up my back up from for quilting and the other for piecing..... (big table verses little table)

I agree if you aren't going to get much keep it! Most dealers really can't offer too much because they have to service the machine and usually offer some kind of in house warranty. If you want to sell your machine, I think I would first try putting an ad in your local quild newsletter - usually about $5 or ask around at your LQS, some of them have bulletin boards or let the staff know you are selling they run into people who are looking all the time

I was just wondering and used that as an example. I have no idea how much my "second" machine is worth. Just wondering how the process worked. I've never bought a new machine

I agree, I was going to trade in a machine but kept it, I'll use as back up or if a freind come over they can use it rather than bringing one over

My Bernina dealer has prices with trade in and without, they are listed on a card, and they don't negotiate- no cash discounts, no added accessories, they stand firm. I'm pretty sure the "with trade in" is a way to offer a price below MSRP. I traded in a Kenmore that cost $200 5-years previous and got a $600 discount on my purchase for it.

If I were to buy another machine from them, it would make more sense to buy a new machine at Walmart rather than trade in my current machine... (I don't know if they would offer a better price on a machine they could resell- they send their trade ins to a charity)

Another dealer (Janome) I went to appraised the trade in and only took machines she could sell. Mass market or low end machines were not taken.

So you need to figure out how the dealer handles trade ins to decide whether it would benefit you or not.

Some LQS don't want machines that they can't resell and alot of them only sell higher $ items. I had the offer from mine for them to buy back my Mega quilter but I had only had it less than a yr and had hardly used it and would have lost 1/2 of what I paid for it. For me, it wasn't worth losing that much on it. I kept it plus I kept my regular sewing machine that was only a few yrs old. My new machine is very heavy so it only goes to classes when I need what it has to offer/embroidery, etc. If my other machine can do the job then it's what will go with me. Plus when I have the embroidery machine going it's nice to have the other machine on the other side of the table that I can use. Unless you need to sell it I would keep it. Then you have a backup incase the new one needs to go into the shop or has something going on it; like embroidery. I'd sell it on Craigslist for at least $50 if it's worth 100 on ebay. LQS don't compare the value to where it's sold elsewhere, they decide how much they can re-sell if for and make a profit and then offer you a %less than that.