Originally Posted by
ArchaicArcane
The basic rate for a service here is about $80. When I advertise a machine, I always make note of the fact that I'm selling it for less than the price of a service.
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ETA: At the end of the day, I don't want to "support" a lowballer anyway. They're always the most demanding customers.
I've had better luck servicing machines for people, because they've bonded with the machine and have assigned a "value" to it.
In 1890, Oscar Wilde said “Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” It's still true today. It may be even worse.
I did get an Indian couple come look at my '50s HC 15 clone and I knew he'd make me a stupid offer, simply because he's Indian. He was very likeable so I just held my ground and he smiled and paid what I wanted. That was just "par for the course" though, and I don't get many "lowballers" making stupid offers. Nearly every machine I've sold couldn't have gone to a better home: They were all going to be used to sew, not stand in a corner and look nice.
The bonding thing is huge: The first machine I sold was to a young girl (around 22). It was a back clamping redeye treadle. She loved it the moment she saw it and bought it on the spot, full price!
Oscar was a wise man. I laugh when people ask what a machine is worth. It's worth what someone is willing to pay. In the case of sewing machines it's much less than it used to be, so all of them are bargains.
Cecilia, it's possums in Australia and yes they get into the roof.