Originally Posted by
manicmike
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!
Oh! I get tons of lowballers, they're all via email though. They don't even come out to lowball. My reply lately is that they should try purchasing a machine and going to have it serviced. Most of the machines I sell do go to sewing homes. I know this because in probably 2 of 3 situations, I have to teach them to use the machine and the basics of sewing.
I've said that to people. I'll have a couple listed sometimes (usually one Singer and one clone) and they'll ask me which one they should get. I tell them to come over and pick the one they bond with. 9 times out of 10, it's not the one they came here intending to look at.