Cecillia, I'm not griping because he charges extra. I think he is beyond reality extra. Reality is what the customer will actually pay for a nice refurbished machine. Around here, it isn't all that much. I end up with prices that more or less compete with the plastic wonder at Walmart. AND that is because there is a person on the other side of town that posts a machine cheaper than mine right after I post on CL. I think that person sprays the inside with something, cleans the outside a bit, prints out a manual and makes sure it sews. BUT that is the competition, too.

I agree with you Cecilia but sometimes the older dealers sometimes do price things so high that the item is not a good resale/buying option. Perhaps after spending hours refurbishing with loving care they have an emotional/sentimental investment along with the time element. With that said, however, they are excellent at their craft and their knowledge and "know how" can be considered priceless. The collectible machines will sell for what the "market" will bear or what ever a buyer is willing to pay.

Cecilia,

Well said. And I agree, in an ideal world. :)

The shops/people I think we're often referring to, and for sure in my case, are the shops and OSMGs who are maybe not spending that much time on the machines.

A quick wipe ad a sprinkle of oil, if you're lucky, not the complete rehab that we're doing.

The machines that need to be rewired? The shop I was asked to buy here told me never to do electrical work, too much liability. Those will likely hit the garbage bin, or the graveyard to pick from.

The OSMG that thinks his stuff is gold? Wanted $80 for non-tuned up, missing motor and light, rusty old 66 that was alligatored too out of his shed, knowing I was looking for it for parts.

The shop that wanted $300 for the SU? The worst shop in the city for servicing. I got a completely seized Bernina 730 record with its motor brushes worn to nubs from a lady who'd recently had it serviced there. That doesn't happen over night, unless they mixed up the glue for the oil. I also ended up with an electrically unsafe 99 from a lady who'd bought it from their head service guy (in the business for a lot of years, used to work for Singer, blah blah blah) that still has some lash that I can't find after going from one end of the service manual to the other. Good thing she's gorgeous and mine. ;)

I think that these are the shops and OSMGs that we often conjure up when we think of the "shysters". ;)

I kindheartedly agree. That said, the wonderful, knowledgeable really OSMG (92) in our area is running a museum due to unrealistic prices. You can know a lot and be very skilled but if people just don't pay it the stuff sits.
Tammi I have seen those guys way too often that try to undercut me and I have very reasonable prices.

I agree! Some of them, I wonder if they're just a little out of touch with the current perceived value of things... It might be why some will tell you there's no future in sewing machines.

I get the people who will buy the un-serviced machines before mine, because they think they're cheaper, but there are few people in my market with the same product that they're undercutting me with. ;) I'm sometimes bad for re-posting mine right after someone posts an attic fresh version of what I have that they're asking more for too.... so sometimes I'm the undercutter ;)

I'm guilty of that, too... LOL I know what I can get for them - usually not a penny more. I have posted right under an attic fresh with something good... just like it...

http://allentown.craigslist.org/atq/3979711339.html




Do you think you could pick this up without it falling to pieces???? Oh my ....

Anybody looking for a pink Atlas?

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atd/4010551617.html

I think it has a good chance of turning to dust if someone breathes on it. One thing that is bothering me about that picture. The slideplate is missing and it looks like everything Under the slideplate is missing too. Faceplate is gone as well. But if you look at the white string that seems to be holding the machine down into the cabinet (?) it goes under the bed in the front and you can see it through the hole where the slideplate goes. You shouldn't be able to see that!!! Yea, that baby is shot!
~G~

LOL! Antique! A few generations? They must be having kids awfully young, then...

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ514747585