Singer 221 Featherweight
 

I have been bidding, and NOT winning, on a number of Singer Featherweights on Ebay recently. Not unusual, I know. But I have noticed that the same bidder is winning all the time. This same person, you can tell because they get the same i***i (957) on every winning bid, has been buying up almost all the featherweights out there. Anyone know what is going on? Anyone know of a better way to find a featherweight since Ebay is now not an option?

Look for ones that are mislabeled... my 221 was listed as "vintage ornate portable sewing machine" . The guy had no idea what it was.

I have a FW, but if I didn't, I certainly would not be paying the prices on e-bay. I get the feeling that there is an effort afoot to inflate the prices. I would not pay $300 and up for a FW. JMHO! Try Craigslist, check the Goodwill Store in your area (if there is one) and I think I would even check Amazon.com.

Jeanette

I went through and looked at several completed auctions for the last week or so. They certainly did bid on quite a few.
I did notice that they seem to stop bidding around $185.

I went to a LQS and made mention that a friend of mine got a FW w/attachments at a garage sale for $8.00. One of the gals who does the repairs and maintenance said she was offered $900.00 and she turned it down. JMHO but will not pay that for FW. Is something that I would love to have but others uses for $900.00. I may pay up to $200.00 but not 900.

I got mine at a local auction for 150.00. No bobbin case, but did have carry case. It's also in great shape. I saw one on craigslist the other day for 800.00. Ridiculous.

I got the FW for my wife from shopgoodwill.com for around $280.00 and that included shipping. This was a less than mint machine, but in good cosmetic and mechanical condition with a good case, lots of bobbins, accessories, the manual and other goodies.

The bidder bidding on all the FWs on eBay is probably a dealer with deep pockets. Or if he's bidding on the same sellers adds he could be a shill. Bidding just to raise the prices up. I wouldn't bid on those auctions.

There were millions of FWs made from the 1930s to the 1960s. Most of the prices are way too high for what you are getting.

JMHO

Joe

I have a few FWs. I've found most of mine at estate sales. I bought one at an auction. I bid on one just last Saturday at an auction but the other bidder got it for $230. There were lots of them made so they will continue to come up for sale.

I have no idea where to find a great deal but there's a shop about 40 min away that deals with antique sewing machines and has several fw's - think hers start around $350 and centennials are more.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I have been looking at estate sales but have not been lucky enough to find one yet. I will keep hunting!!!!