featherweight from ebay

Old 11-03-2011, 07:17 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 449
Default featherweight from ebay

Well.. I received the fw I bought off ebay...lesson learned...paid $185 plus shipping and to say it is in rough shape is an understatement..but as the expression goes 'IT IS WHAT IT IS'...anyway i thought i had seen a thread on here before on changing out the lightbulb..it did come with one buried in the syrofoam peanuts and there was also a little rubber ring type thing...does anyone know how to go about inserting the bulb, my fat fingers aren't working and i would like to know if the bulb works before i make my list of what i need to send for to see if i can get this thing to work...should have taken a pix of the case they sent before i threw it away...a pitiful attempt was made to hold it together with duck tape but it basically was three separate pieces not even meeting with the tape...good news i won't buy anything off of ebay any time soon...maybe after the holidays i will be able to find one from a board member that is actually in 1 piece...lol
Nantie is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 07:51 AM
  #2  
Member
 
Tallbald's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Southern Kentucky
Posts: 68
Default

Please don't beat yourself up. You made the best decision you could, with the information you had at the time. I too have been disappointed in a mail order purchase or two, but consider this: If we all waited until a machine came available locally we could touch and examine before buying, we could be waiting a very long time to even get the chance. As it is, you possess a machine that needs rescue. Consider custom paint maybe. Spare parts needed are out there too. Perhaps you think you paid too much for what you got, but if you enjoy the machine, you are ahead. Others in our circle of friends and family spend $50 to feed two at some chain restaurants, and in 24 hours or so we know where THAT money goes. You, on the other hand, will still have the makings of a fine little hot rod of a Singer. I myself made a big boo boo on a little 128 (see my post asking forgiveness). And it was MY mistake, no one elses. Overall, you can feel better about yourself than me I think. You didn't do anything wrong! Don
Tallbald is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 07:55 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
OmaForFour's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,376
Default

I would contact Ebay and tell them that this was beyond use and not what it should have been. They have a way of protecting you and maybe get your money back.
I bought a FW on ebay and it was perfect. I paid $182.50 for it. You should be able to have some compensation here.
OmaForFour is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 07:56 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Default

Don't abandon eBay because of one bad experience. I have bought many machines off of eBay and have been pleased with them all. You have to look at the pictures so carefully, and then ask for more if you can't see everything you think you need to see. You need to communicate with the seller on how to pack the machine. Once you buy it, you and the seller are in partnership to be sure it gets to you OK....

Hope this doesn't discourage you....for $185 you got what you paid for. Don't let your expectations run away....you have to be realistic.

Hope you enjoy your machine. Take some time to clean it up and get it going. You'll change your mind once you get acquainted with the machine.
jljack is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 07:58 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Default

Originally Posted by OmaForFour View Post
I would contact Ebay and tell them that this was beyond use and not what it should have been. They have a way of protecting you and maybe get your money back.
I bought a FW on ebay and it was perfect. I paid $182.50 for it. You should be able to have some compensation here.
Not necessarily....if the machine matches the description and the pictures, then it's a done deal. No going back. That's why I said you have to be sure you look at all the pictures and ask for more.
jljack is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 08:05 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
traumaRN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 407
Default

Originally Posted by jljack View Post
Don't abandon eBay because of one bad experience. I have bought many machines off of eBay and have been pleased with them all. You have to look at the pictures so carefully, and then ask for more if you can't see everything you think you need to see. You need to communicate with the seller on how to pack the machine. Once you buy it, you and the seller are in partnership to be sure it gets to you OK....

Hope this doesn't discourage you....for $185 you got what you paid for. Don't let your expectations run away....you have to be realistic.

Hope you enjoy your machine. Take some time to clean it up and get it going. You'll change your mind once you get acquainted with the machine.
Agreed! I have been an ebayer for about 13 yrs and only once did I have a bad experience. If you truly feel that the item was misrepresented contact ebay. You can also leave negative feedback for the seller. That being said, the price you paid isn't all that bad. The lightbulb is a 2 pronged type that twists and comes out/goes in. You should probably use a little flashlight to visualize the 2 holes the prongs of the bulb fit into; push then turn the bulb until it "sets".
The rubber ring may be for the bobbin spool, but I don't think mine has one (but mine's from 1937).
traumaRN is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 10:29 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Linda - K.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Washington State summer, Sun City AZ winter
Posts: 701
Default

I would try to make a complaint with Ebay. It sounds like maybe they had a misleading description for the machine. Were there pics? I would also contact the seller to see why they didn't describe it better so you could have made an informed decision.
Linda - K. is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 07:03 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
valleyquiltermo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MO.
Posts: 2,681
Default Ebay

I have bought a lot of machines off ebay have had trouble with one and the seller made good on it.
The other one I got so cheap it wasn't worth bothering with the seller, I left feed back about the way they pkged it.
All the rest I bought from sellers with high seller accs. And above 98% postive feedback.
valleyquiltermo is offline  
Old 11-04-2011, 08:24 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
quiltgal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 246
Default

I buy and sell on ebay for about 5 years now and you should contact them. I had a badly described item as well and ebay made good for me on it. Besides the broken part not described, the item as damaged in shipping (due to poor packing). It took 45 days for me to get my money back, but I did!
quiltgal is offline  
Old 11-04-2011, 02:05 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,775
Default

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjYlr...embedded#at=25

About half way through the video, at about 4:21, he begins explaining how to change the light bulb on a FW. I highly recommend his book and/or DVD set. I have both and use them all the time.

I've bought machines on eBay that were smashed to smithereens and others that came in perfect condition. You just need to check out whether the seller has mailed a sewing machine before, or not. Also, ask them ahead of time how they plan on packing it for shipment.
cabbagepatchkid is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JabezRose
Links and Resources
19
06-18-2012 02:55 AM
chickadeee55
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
13
04-26-2012 09:16 PM
suezquilts
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
21
12-23-2011 06:38 AM
Central Ohio Quilter
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
87
02-23-2011 04:29 PM
carslo
Main
4
02-09-2011 04:59 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter