FW Prices--Sticker Shock!!
 

Have Featherweight prices shot up? I'm actually looking for a Singer 301 on CL, but I always look at the FW's too, and I never see one for listed under 300 bucks anymore. When I bought mine--just about three years ago--$250 was about the average. I have two--one I paid $225 and the other I lucked into on CL. The guy was just selling it for his aunt--I paid $100.

They certainly have in NY. Mostly $300 - $350 w/ case. I did score a decent white FW for my sister a few months ago for $25 on Craigslist. There was a barrage of replies to the ad but I had logged in just moments after the ad was placed and thankfully they decided to go with the first reply! They knew what it was, just wanted it to go to a good home. There's a black FW at a shop near me for $185- no case- but I'm broke.

Seems like ALL of the vintage/antique prices are skyrocketing...

Even out here they are in the same range as you are, I decided if I was going to pay that much for one, I'm go to get one form a OSMG with all new wiring and and bits and pieces. I saw one yesterday on CL for $500. I bet it stays there for awhile.

I've been watching E-bay mostly ... all vintange machines, and around Nov-March the prices overall were sometimes mind-numbing astronomical. Overall since about mid-March the prices are dropping. I've seen some FW's in "fair" condition sell for $170 or so (with shipping), and FW's in good to great condition sell in the $250-$300 range. Machines with centennial badges, white and tan machines a bit more.

Of note: the E-bay ad's that get the highest amount of attention/bids/price are the ones that are well presented. Good quality photo's of machines, good descriptions written by someone that knows what they're talking about. The best prices can be found on E-bay ad's where the seller doesn't do so such a good job of advertising.

The folks on Craigs list have not yet reflected what appears to be the more recent price trends. They are asking the high end prices for low-end machines and even lower end advertising (poor pictures, poor descriptions). So many ad's I see on CL say something like "I think it works, the needle goes up and down, but I don't sew so can't say for sure".

So you might want to check E-bay and get lucky with a low bid.

Yes, they are going up. I keep a couple of FW's and 301's just for that reason ---- of course, now I have too many to store, but I just don't want to ship them. I have sold a few to people traveling through Nashville, though.

We have two listed on our local Craigslist right now--$500 and $400--crazy high prices!!!

Charlee, I agree, we've seen an notable increase in prices for vintage machines, but there are still bargains out there.

Saw a white FW in Canton, TX at big flea market for 625 dollars. Vendor said they were rare. She still had it on the last day.

The vintage machine prices vary with what people will pay. FWs were going at a decent price a few months ago. I got my last one on CL for $150.