Originally Posted by Prism99

Have you figured out the model #? What is the condition of the decals and the cabinet? Can you take some thread and fabric (and a needle) to the store to make sure that it actually forms a stitch when you sew (even if you have to manually turn the wheel).

You want to make sure that there is a bobbin case in the machine and at least one bobbin. Some models use a different type of shuttle; I don't know much about those, but I think it can be hard to find replacement shuttles/bobbins for them. Even on a regular Singer, you want the bobbin case because they cost about $25 to replace (and you cannot sew without a bobbin case!).

I would say it's a really good purchase *if* you do your homework, find out the model #, check to make sure the bobbin case is in the machine, and actually try the machine out to make sure it forms a stitch. (If it doesn't form a stitch, it could be out of time, in which case most people will need to pay a technician to re-time.)