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-   -   Machine Pricing Adjusted for Inflation? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/machine-pricing-adjusted-inflation-t230464.html)

Vridar 09-17-2013 03:21 PM

Machine Pricing Adjusted for Inflation?
 
Today, I hemmed some frayed pant cuffs with my 201. As I was sewing and enjoying the click-click of the perfect SS machine I wondered if my family could have afforded a machine such as the 201 when they were new. More than likely this question has been answered but I would be interested if any posters have ideas on what a new 201, or other machines sold for when new and adjusting for inflation what would the price be in today's money. Inquiring minds need to know.:D

mlmack 09-17-2013 03:35 PM

In 1950, they were sold for $100 or so, which would be close to $1000 today.

The price probably varied depending on what cabinet you got.

Vridar 09-17-2013 03:39 PM


Originally Posted by mlmack (Post 6299762)
In 1950, they were sold for $100 or so, which would be close to $1000 today.

The price probably varied depending on what cabinet you got.

Wow! No we couldn't afford a new machine back then. They are bargains on the used market today.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter 09-17-2013 03:53 PM

Here is a fun little site that supposedly does inflation adjustments for you.

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

mlmack 09-17-2013 03:53 PM

Singer was top-of-the-line back in the day. Heck, their repairmen even made house calls.

Kathy T. 09-17-2013 03:59 PM

This is a fun site to explain a little of the history of 201's. Unfortunately, he is in England so the receipt and his discussion is in pounds/shillings but he says that for one woman it was the equivalent of half-a-year's wages!
http://www.sewalot.com/singer_201k_sewalot.htm

Vridar 09-17-2013 04:04 PM


Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter (Post 6299786)
Here is a fun little site that supposedly does inflation adjustments for you.

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Mark was right on!

Vridar 09-17-2013 05:03 PM


Originally Posted by Kathy T. (Post 6299802)
This is a fun site to explain a little of the history of 201's. Unfortunately, he is in England so the receipt and his discussion is in pounds/shillings but he says that for one woman it was the equivalent of half-a-year's wages!
http://www.sewalot.com/singer_201k_sewalot.htm

Kathy, thanks for that link. I'm not alone in my admiration of the 201.

ArchaicArcane 09-18-2013 08:35 AM

The other thing to remember about Singer machines is they were basically the "first" (This is what I read, but maybe one of the first?) company's to do retail financing. You didn't buy a $100 machine outright (usually), you made payments on it. A friend of mine has a receipt for a machine her grandma owned with the "down payment" and monthly payments set out on it.

Janis 09-18-2013 10:43 PM

Singer was the first company, from what I read, to have machines that one bought 'by hire'. Now we would call it, 'buy here, pay here.' They also would take machines in as a trade in for a Singer sewing machine. The 'trade ins' would be destroyed so they couldn't be resold, and a person wanting a sewing machine would have to buy a new one instead.


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