In my area "appraisers" whatever they are, usually appraise sewing machines for 20 times more than they sell for, or more likely, they don't sell at all. Here on the east coast we are overrun with old sewing machines and there is no market for them. They usually say, "Well, I don't handle them, but if I did they would go for $1500." (or $500 or $300, choose a number). DUH...if they sold for that much they WOULD handle them. Honest antique dealers will admit that they generally don't sell for much, in central NY anyway. I hear that on the west coast it is a different story altogether.
In the end the market decides what something is worth. It's worth what someone is willing to pay at any time and place.
A note about ebay: To get top prices on ebay one should have excellent feedback with hundreds of sales to satisfied buyers, know how to wrap sewing machines securely, and ship promptly. Knowing how to market, taking plenty of good, close, clear pictures, and writing complete honest descriptions is important. Showing stitch samples, if you claim the machine "works" also helps get good prices. Even being willing to accept returns helps sell machines. Just because a few of XYZ machines sold for big money on ebay doesn't mean that one can get even half that on CL. And I do believe that those people PT Barnum spoke of all shop on ebay....hahahaha
Originally Posted by
ckcowl
Visiting a dealer would be a good place to start. Or see if there is an appraiser near you. ( Value) has many factors.... Market value is Dependant on location, availability, popularity, many factors. Insurance value is determined by the possibility of needing to replace. There are lots of factors.
You can research to see what other people are ( trying) to sell them for, and what they actually sell them for ( eBay, dealers...) If that is what you are trying to determine. Location always matters in resale value- what sells for $50 in one area may be $250 somewhere else.