I periodically "give up" on buying sewing machines. Nothing like setting your resolve NOT TO BUY to get the one you've been lusting for to show up.
I've literally grabbed cases away from people who pick them up by the handle. I think the horrified look in my eyes stops them from contesting. Ok- so it's not they picked up a newborn baby by the foot - but I'm sure that is what my expression looks like!
BTW - my National treadle looks a lot like my White treadle. A few companies (like early Singer) made they own, but many had them made for them. While there are a lot of Singers out there so it may not seem like it, the Singer treadle is one of the few that does not have some sort of "auto lift" mechanism.