What is a fair offer?
 

This featherweight 3-110 is posted in my local online classified. She is asking $100. I called and am going to see it tonight. She has no idea if it works. There is no cord to plug it in...here is a picture...it is a little banged up...any advice?

A cord and plug will set you back probably $20-$30. A bobbin case will set you back another $40-50 if it's missing. So, make sure you check to see that it's there.

you have time to lookup prices on what it will cost to replace these things and i would deduct that off the price. sew- classic is where to go online. for sure..:thumbup:

Is the foot pedal there? The machine does look to be in only fair condition cosmetically. I think it depends on how badly you want a FW.

I would pass on this and go to Ebay. They always have FWs. You can bid one one you like up to what you think you want to pay. If it doesn't work out, go on to the next one. I got a beautiful FW for $150 in perfect working order and with all the parts.

Before I bought my FW, I checked online for a guessestimate price & was told anywhere between $200 - 600. I got one off eBay (the Canadian site) for $300. & it was in MINT condition. I did not have to replace anything or fix anything. All I had to do was wipe it down. The case does have a musty smell but that seems to be a common issue with these machines. I would check eBay. It may take some time but you will end up getting one & in much better condition than that one. Good luck.

I offered her $20 since there was no way to know if it was working...and since my bf is interested in tinkering with the sewing machines I thought it couldn't be a waste of money even if it didn't work and he got a chance to practise...she said no, and then called back and said yes! Woohooo! Went and got her right away...much better shape than expected! Bobbin case is there and the wheel turns easily....going to get the plug and foot pedal today! YAY!!!

Congrats, can't beat the price.

Smart move! Congrats - let us know how she sews once you get the foot pedal. You know she needs a name now, right? :o

that would be a prime candidate for a spiffy paint job. I'd love to find one like that I could play with the paint job on. Y'all will have to let me know if you come across one that could serve as nothing more than a glorified paperweight. I want one I can use for decor only, not for sewing.

The Goodwill site always has multiple featherweights available. www.shopgoodwill.com I personally wouldn't want one this banged up unless I planned to have it refurbished and painted.

I am always searching on the goodwill site, but I dont want to pay 100+ for a machine that I don't plan to use. I have a white FW that is in perfect condition. This one is going to be used in photo shoots for my pattern covers.

goodwill . some people are just lame, This machine started at 5$, these auctions run for 7 days,, in the first 4 hrs of the listing people have driven the price over $100,

now why is that ?

goodwill knows every well what a FW sells for, they could put it in a store at 200 or just below, it would be gone the same day..but that would make them look like money mongers

Items like this on G/W I have to call shill bidding on...>>> Good WILL

you may see I'm not much of a goodwill fan, I was yrs ago.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem...story=show#des

I've gotten plenty of good deals off the goodwill auction site, and in the stores. paid 35.00 for my 99k in a cabinet, 5.00 for my white rotary bent wood case, 10 for my free westinghouse, etc. I think I've got 6 more machines off there plus a handful of other items. FW go up quickly because someone puts in their max bid, which might be 100+ and the next person has to bid over that to get the high bid, and since FW we all know go for way more than the other machines, people are going to be prepared off the bat to bid that high. They dont have as good a notification system as ebay does so people who bid there often know that they may get outbid and not know for hours, thus losing out on the chance to rebid a higher price.

I'm glad you got the FW! You will enjoy sewing on her! Being such a rank amateur, I got sooooooooo very lucky (and blessed) when my son found mine at the Goodwill Store. She's white, manufactured in 1954, and is in absolutely MINT condition. She really looks "new" but she still has the inspection tag from the factory on her! For $50, she's wonderful! I can't believe how lucky I was to find her! (I still haven't picked a name yet, either!)

Enjoy your FW!

Jeanette Frantz

Canadiangirl, you were smart to play it cool and offer a low price because of the condition and because of the unknown. Sometimes we just have to be cool, offer what we want to pay, and if it is meant to be, then it will happen.

Have fun and enjoy your FW!

Dayle

wow that was a great deal! Be sure to show us the "after" on her once you get her all prettified :)

This is how I got my FW too, also a 1954 white one I found at a garage sale in MINT condition. Had there not been a spool of thread sitting on it and threaded into the machine I'd have thought it was never used. I paid 90.00 for her but still beyond excellent deal. Mine still has the inspection sticker on it too!

Great great great for you. Just keep at it, and you'll have the best little machine in your world. Nothing beats the FW for sewing quilt seams, Nothing. And it is so quiet. If quiet is important to you, you will love it. Congratulations. And good luck with getting it running. The price was unbelievable.

$45 later...newplug and footpedal...she sews!!!!! Needs a day at the spa badly but she works! Thinking on the name "little lady" or "little miss" come to mind but if anyone has some ideas, let me know!
J.