Unless you can get a free estimate, I wouldn't bother with a technician. She would have to be very attached to it before I would put any money at all into it. If she likes new and shiny and modern features, get an inexpensive plastic machine with a good reputation (several have been suggested on this thread). Otherwise, watch for a garage sale, estate sale, or Craigslist ad for a used machine made prior to those Touch and Sew Machines (around 1960).
Just my 2 cents. You would have to pay me to sew on, fix, or haul away a Touch and Sew.