Treadle for $350--good deal or bad?
 

I have to decide pretty quickly whether I want to pay the $350 price for a Singer treadle, make an offer on her, or pass altogether, and I'm in the dark on value, so of course thought to come here and ask for help. That's quite a bit more than I was hoping to pay; I was unaware of her intended visit to repair shop until after the fact, which was after I said I was interested in purchasing.

Serial # G3559409. Decals are quite worn, head otherwise in good condition, and just came back from repair shop with "everything working," which cost current caretaker $100. (Same shop I've used for 40 years, trustworthy, but also the place I'd planned to purchase a different treadle if there was a different cabinet available, the one in shop having been refinished with that ugly walnut stain used in school woodshop because it's cheap; I'm guessing the owner there told seller that he would price it at $350.)

The pretty, medium oak cabinet has some carvings on the sides, wood is in great condition, don't know whether metal parts need cleaning up or not. Manual, feet and some bobbins are included. The machine was acquired by caretaker/seller's son when his mother-in -law died.

Can you look at craigslistto see what other machines are going for around you? It sounds high for my are, I've seen them at $100 up to $400 around here.

IMO? WAY too expensive for a machine with worn decals. The serial number lends to a model 66 from 1914. Model 66 machines are quite common. I'm guessing that it's a Redeye....or a Lotus decal?
The current caretaker spent too much having the machine serviced, because that's more than it's worth in my opinion. These old machines are so simple to work on, there's really no need to take them in to be serviced.
At best, I'd pay up to $100 for the machine and cabinet. The worn decals that you mention take a lot away from the value. For that much money, there are too many really nice machines out there.

When it comes down to brass tacks tho, it's all about what you're willing to pay....if YOU think it's worth the money, then by all means, you should get it, and no one else's opinion should matter! :)

I paid $75 for my 1902 Singer 27 treadle with less-than-perfect sphinx decals at an estate sale not too long ago. All it needed to get it working was a little cleaning, oil, and a leather belt. I even tried a Singer button hole attachment on this machine and it worked beautifully. $350 for a treadle seems a bit steep, unless it is a rare model in very good condition. 66s are not rare, and with worn decals, definitely not worth what she's asking.

Thank you all for such quick and informative responses. Misskira, I had not thought of Craigslist so checked and found one local listing for $195; looks good in picture, so will check into it. Charlee, thanks so much for the evaluation--I had not planned to take it in for service, after reading here about the ease of care on the vintage machines, so was surprised and appalled when they did so. My wild guestimate on briefly seeing the machine originally was in the $100-$150 range, so I guess I'd picked up more than I realized from this board! When I heard $350 on my voice mail I was in shock; I'll try dickering with them, and see where that goes. (If I can print out this QB page, I'll take it to them.) Jlm5419, I've signed up for estate sale notices but have not seen any sewing items at all so far, but you've encouraged me to keep looking.

WOW around here that is way too much . Too bad you don't live close I have one on my porch I have not been able to give away I paid 80 bucks for it .

Did you see this one on CL http://sacramento.craigslist.org/atq/2983521531.html
I've seen some really nice treadles, up in the Sacramento area. Good Luck

Good luck on your search!

Hi there,
I may be too late for you, but for conversation's sake, the most I have paid to date is $85. That was for a fiddle base gal with a great skirt, lots of attachments, manual and other goodies included.

Imho, patience pays off. And letting a few go. Recently a machine came up on CL. Price was fair considering the machine. It meant about a 2.5 hour drive one-way. The seller must have had a ton of hits because within less than a couple of hours the price jumped ___ready, wait for it____ $250! Yep. I let that one go. However, while I wasn't looking, a Singer 128 became mine for $21, tax included. The machine is near mint (couple of markings on the solid hand wheel, bent wood case in fair+ - good condition.

$350 for a Singer 66 in my opinion is way too high.

best,
d

i paid $65.00 for a "free" treadle sewing machine in cabinet...everything was pristine including needles, accessories, feet, oil can, book, bobbins etc...the only repair i had to make was replacing the belt which cost me $5.00. it was pretty dusty and needed oiling something fierce but hey the book actually tells you how to do all that. works great! pass on the $350.00...and keep looking...dont give anyone more than 100 bucks unless it is a museum piece.

Again, thank you to all who responded! I checked out this one today http://sacramento.craigslist.org/fuo/2944088375.html and gave it a pass at $175 lowest price; will check out the one grayhare mentioned above, listed for $120. Told caretaker of the $350 one about info learned here, and she's decided to keep that one for the grandkids after spending so much to get it repaired. So I'll just stick with my 40 year old Kenmore for now, and keep an eye out and an ear open for the treadle meant for me!