Manalto

I tried for a while, and it's created a bit of a space issue.

I know of a sewing-and-vacuum shop that "upsells" their customers by convincing them that a repair of their old straight-stitcher isn't worth the (inflated) cost. They dazzle with computerized programs that the customer will probably never use and pressure them into buying new. (They've got a business to run, after all.) The old machine gets tossed into the dumpster out back. When I've been there, they have asked me if I want the machine they're about to throw out, and I always take it. (I've suggested they donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. "Who is going to put them in the car and drive them there?" they asked.) I've gotten some wonderful old Necchis, Berninas, Japanese machines from the "Golden Age" and so on, but I had to stop when I ran out of room. The worst problem I've encountered is a thread jam. I know this trashing of old machines is repeated in many places and has been going on for decades. Those millions of machines are having their numbers depleted as families clean out their grandparents' houses. It's sad to say, but when enough machines are discarded so that demand exceeds supply, vintage sewing machines will finally acquire some value.